Lake 69 Hike

Route Description for Lake 69 Hike

The high altitude paired with the sparkling, bright blue Lake 69 will take your breath away. ​Lake 69 sits at 4,650 m, making it essential to come prepared for the path zigzagging higher into the sky. The trail is well-marked and easy to navigate, but it is possible to become sick due to the high altitude on this hike. Aim to get acclimated before attempting this trail!

To get to the Trailhead for Lago 69 by car, depart from Huaraz and drive along a paved road north of the city through the Callejón de Huaylas near the banks of the Santa River until you reach the town of Yungay. After a little over an hour, you’ll pass by Llanganuco Lake, a vibrant blue lake, before reaching Cebollapampa, which sits at 3,900 m. Get out here and begin hiking.

Hike through the valley known as ‘Quebrada Demanda’, and walk upstream! Get ready for a steep path switch-backing upward.

Eventually, you’ll reach a flat part, where a small unnamed lake awaits. Don’t stop here (there are hikers who think this is Lago 69 and turn around here!).

Continue hiking along whilekeeping an eye out for the south face of the Huascaran mountain and begin the last ascent to Laguna 69, as the trail eventually starts to curl around to the left. It can take around 3 hours to reach the lake nestled below the Chacraraju mountain Glacier.

Some people opt to swim in the lake, but it is definitely cold! It is much more enjoyable to have a picnic on the shoree, savouring the views of the lake, glaciers and big mountains that surround you.

Return to Cebollapampa the same way you came.

Hiking trail highlights

Lake 69

Lake 69 is a stunning, aqua blue lake that is located in Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site and makes up one of the 400 lakes in this area.
Lake 69 sits an amazing 4,600 m above sea level and required some acclimatization before attempting to hike here as the altitude is quite high. The lake sits at the base of a stunningly large glacier called Pisco Peak, which stands over 4,572 m tall.

Huascarán

The Huascaran Mountain holds the highest summit in Peru, the Andes and in all of the world’s tropics. Huscaran sits at an impressive 6,768 m above sea level and is situated in the Cordillera Blanca.

The Huascaran Mountain is also a dormant volcano and has been shrinking in size over the years. In 1970, an earthquake struck and caused the collapse of a large part of this mountain and it tumbled to the land below and sadly killed more than 17,000 people. Since then, the volcano has been sitting silent.

This mountain and inactive volcano is a special treat for anyone who is lucky enough to see it.

Find even more great hikes in Huaraz:

• Pastoruri Glacier Hike
• Hatun Machay Trail
• Portachuelo de Llanganuco Hike

Insider Hints for Lake 69 Hike

• Consider taking some altitude sickness remedies, such as sweets, paracetamol, or even a bottle of oxygen.
• Bring your own food and water from Huaraz.
• Wear clothes for cold and heat. Consider wearing hiking boots, hiking pants, long-sleeved shirt, waterproof jacket, hat or sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.