El Morado Hike: The Trail, the Rules and a Guided Alternative

Monumento Natural El Morado is a protected area run by CONAF, Chile’s forest and parks service, beside Baños Morales at the top of the Cajón del Maipo. Its one trail, the Sendero Glaciar San Francisco, is 6 km, takes about 5 hours there and back, and is rated medium. The El Morado glacier is off limits, though: CONAF states that you may no longer walk to the glacier or its base, because the ground there is unstable with rockfall. Walks go as far as the lagoon, and CONAF’s visitor notice says the trail is open only as far as the Panimávida sector.

In our November 2026 search we found no tour on GetYourGuide that walks El Morado. The guided hike on sale is AndoAndes’ Volcán San José walk, elsewhere in the upper valley, with views of the volcano, transport from Santiago and a picnic lunch.

The trail, as CONAF sets it

• Length and time: 6 km, about 5 hours there and back; medium difficulty, moderate in winter.
• How far you may go: to Laguna El Morado, the lagoon below Cerro El Morado. Not to the hanging glacier (Glaciar Colgante El Morado on our map) or its base. The notice on CONAF’s page limits the trail to the Panimávida sector.
• Risks: rockfall, avalanches, snowfall, rain and mudflows, from May to September.
• Rules: hiking or trekking shoes are compulsory; CONAF also asks for sunglasses and sun cream; no bicycles.
• Getting there: 93 km from Santiago, about 2.5 hours, on the G-25, paved as far as Baños Morales (CONAF). CONAF also names Metrobús 72 from Bellavista de La Florida (Metro Line 5) in high season, and Buses Turismo Montaña; see how to get there from Santiago.

Opening hours and tickets

Tickets are sold through Pases Parques, CONAF’s ticket system. It lists El Morado as open Tuesday to Sunday: from October to March, 8:30 to 17:30; from April to September, 8:30 to 17:00; last entry 12:30 all year. Hours can change with the weather and safety rules, and footwear fit for walking on snow is compulsory. The ticket page shows no fee, so we print none: check it when you buy.

The last entry at 12:30 matters if you go by bus or car: with about 2.5 hours on the road, leave Santiago early.

A guided Cajón del Maipo hike: Volcán San José

From Santiago: Cajón del Maipo and Volcán San José Hike 8K, run by AndoAndes, is a guided walk of about 8 km there and back, starting at about 2,300 m and climbing to about 2,600 m, with views of the volcano, glaciers and rivers. The group is limited to 12. A picnic lunch with wine is served at a viewpoint, and the price includes transport, a bilingual guide, insurance, a boxed lunch and water. It picks up at a list of hotels in Santiago, not at private homes, and is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems or mobility impairments.

It costs US$150 per person on the dates open in the calendar in November 2026, and is rated 4.9 out of 5 from at least 520 reviews on GetYourGuide. Free cancellation runs to 24 hours before.

Check dates for the hike

El Morado on your own, or the guided hike?

On your own, El Morado costs a bus or a car, the park fee and an early start, and you walk to the lagoon only. The AndoAndes day costs more and does a different walk, but it is organised end to end, with a guide, lunch and transport. If you want the valley without a long walk, the picnic day or a hot springs day fits better; and in winter, read the Cajón del Maipo in winter first.