Laguna Wilcacocha Hike in Huaraz: A Great Acclimatization Trail
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Huaraz is known for its beautiful mountain backdrop in the Huascaran National Park. When flying into Lima, you will be at sea level. Huaraz sits at 3,052 meters or 10,013 feet. This is a huge change and can sometimes lead to altitude sickness. The best way to avoid this is by resting for at least a few days and then doing an easy hike first. This is where Laguna Wilcacocha is excellent.
There are many Laguna hikes located around Huaraz and the region in general. I wouldn’t consider this much of a lake but more like a large pond. It’s easy to get to by either a short bus ride or taxi.
This hike is not similar to others like Laguna Llaca, Laguna Ahuac, or Laguna Paron. The main reason to hike this trail is that it has amazing views of Huascaran National Park and only reaches a height of 3725 meters.
In this guide, I will explain how to get there and provide all other details regarding Laguna Wilcacocha in Huaraz.
Things to Know
Where is Laguna Wilcacocha Located?
Located just southeast of the town of Huaraz, Laguna Wilcacocha is an easily accessible hike. It is a 15-minute drive to the trailhead and hard to miss.
The lake sits in the Cordillera Negra. Cordillera is a mountain range in Spanish and Negra means black.
We did this hike the day before doing Laguna Churup to acclimate to the altitude.
Many of the hikes in Huaraz have high elevations, so be careful!
How to Get to Laguna Wilcacocha
If you don’t have your own car, there are two main ways to get to the trailhead. If you are short on time, you could take a taxi for around 20 soles. Simply state the Laguna, and they will know where to go.
A cheaper option would be to take a collectivo. I suggest downloading Mapsme and looking for the “bus to Wilcacocha Laguna” stop on the map. This will take you steps from the trailhead for around 2 soles each way.
Should You Take a Tour of Lake Wilcacocha or Hike Independently?
Some people love to take tours and others aren’t too fond of them. Laguna Wilcacocha is easy enough to get to independently that a tour isn’t necessary.
There are other benefits to going on a tour, like having a guide who knows the area’s history.
If you’re on a budget and only have money for a few tours during your time in Peru, I suggest hiking to Wilcacocha on your own and saving that money for a different tour.
Is There an Entrance Fee for Laguna Wilcacocha?
Many hikes you’ll see in Huaraz and on my blog are inside the Huascaran National Park. Luckily for those on a budget, Lake Wilcacocha is not located in that park and thus, there is no entrance fee to hike there!
Having no entrance fee helps the budget out when planning your Peru itinerary!
What is the Altitude of Laguna Wilcacocha?
Laguna Wilcacocha is around 3700 meters, but you’ll start the hike at 3,150 meters. This means the elevation gain will be 550 meters.
3700 meters might be the highest you’ve ever been, and that’s okay! This hike is short, so you can take as many breaks as you need.
Make sure to bring enough water and the proper gear to put yourself in an advantageous position.
Another popular hike in Huaraz that is good for getting acclimated to the altitude is Mirador de Huaraz.
Laguna Wilcacocha Hike Details
To read reviews about this hike and other details you can visit the hike’s Alltrails page
Best Time to Visit Huaraz, Peru
For many travelers exploring Peru, particularly Huaraz, trekking is the top activity they want to do. So, naturally, the best weather is when rain is less likely to happen.
Even in winter, the prime time to visit Huaraz is between May and September. During this dry spell, expect clear, blue skies and minimal rainfall.
Given Huaraz’s high altitude, chilly nights are a regular occurrence.
Where to Stay in Huaraz, Peru
- Krusty Hostel: With great prices for private rooms and growing in popularity, there isn’t much to hate about this hostel. Centrally located just a few blocks from the main square.
- Vacahouse Huaraz B&B: is a great hostel for couples traveling together. The private rooms are very nice and affordable.
- Alpes Huaraz: This is where I stayed during my time in Huaraz and it was amazing. The area is set up like a mini-hotel and the kitchen is huge. Dorms are very cheap at $7-$9
Other Hikes in Peru
My Experience
When looking online, I didn’t see a ton of pictures of the lake. This made sense once we made it to the top because the view of Huascaran National Park is the real reason for this hike.
While Laguna Wilcacocha is a beautiful area, the mountains take the cake.
The trail starts shortly after the yellow bridge that will lead to your right. If you follow mapsme then you won’t have an issue finding the trail.
Two Different Trails
The Laguna Wilcacocha trail started out more steep than I had imagined it would. You will be on a very clear path but at a certain point, a different trail will start to your right.
This trail was hard to see for us—so hard that we actually missed it when hiking up. This wasn’t a big issue, as it only added a little bit more to the hike.
It will be the same mileage if you take this trail down instead.
The first half of the trail up to Wilcacocha Lake takes you through residential housing, which is both weird and cool.
Views Throughout Wilcacocha Lake Hike
Once you get past the many houses, you will be on a trail labeled by signs. These signs will be abbreviated “caminar”, which means to walk in Spanish, followed by Laguna Wilcacocha.
Along these many different paths, you will be blessed with spectacular views of the mountain landscape, which will predominantly be to your right.
After about a mile alone on these trails, you will be led upwards to the lake, where you will have even better views.
This hike is in the direct sun and is normally hotter than some other hikes around Huaraz. So bring sunscreen and plenty of water.
Arrival at Wilcacocha Lake
After a hotter hike than expected, we arrived at Laguna Wilcacocha. The lake was much smaller than I had anticipated but the views were still top-notch.
We started this hike later than we would have liked, which meant there were a lot more people at the top. However, you can walk around the lake in a couple of minutes pretty easily.
We stopped here for lunch and then headed to a small hill on the other side of the lake for some pictures.
Some Helpful Tips Before You Hike Laguna Wilcacocha
How to Deal With Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is inevitable the more time you spend hiking in higher climates. Not everyone will have the same experience either.
I’ve hiked hundreds and even thousands of miles in high-altitude climates. Most of the sickness I ever feel is a really bad headache. Others might feel like they’re going to pass out.
Here are some tips on how to deal with altitude sickness:
- Rest: Make sure you get enough rest in the first few days you arrive at higher altitudes. This is the key to recovery.
- Ibuprofen: Taking this medicine has helped get rid of any headaches or pain I have from the altitude.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking a lot of water is important during hikes but especially when dealing with high altitude.
- Take Breaks: If you start feeling altitude sickness come on, take a break! This will help your body to acclimatize at the current altitude before proceeding.
Things to Bring
Hiking in Peru might seem tricky but the trails are normally quite reliable! If you can deal with the altitude, you shouldn’t have any issues.
With that being said, there are some pieces of equipment that will make your life a lot easier.
Here is everything I’d recommend bringing for your hiking trip to Peru:
Final Thoughts
Laguna Wilcacocha was one of those hikes where it was very different from what I had expected. This isn’t a bad thing either. The lake was smaller than previously presumed but the views were at least 10x better. This is a great first hike in Huaraz to get acclimatized before embarking on the many other things to do in Huaraz. I suggest taking it slow, drinking a lot of water, and getting enough sleep. I would highly suggest this hike when visiting Huaraz in Peru.
