A hike on Cerro San Cristobal with stunning views of the Chilean Andes

It’s autumn in Santiago, where the crisp morning air and golden hues of fall make for a perfect hiking adventure through the steep hills above the city. The hike begins with the bustling streets giving way to pine forests and sweeping views, offering moments of shade under towering peppery trees. A magical Sunday morning sees wildflowers carpeting the trail, while fog in the valley adds to the romantic atmosphere as distant Andes mountains seem to float. Climb higher, and you reach a iconic white statue of the Virgin Mary, perched atop Cerro San Cristobal’s nearly thousand-foot summit. Beyond that, a hidden path reveals breathtaking views of Santiago and the surrounding Chilean Andes.