OLLEROS - CHAVIN ( )

Distance: 37 km

Altitude: 3200 to 4700 m

Rating: moderate to easy from Olleros, more difficult from Chavín

Abstract

This hike across the Cordillera is very popular for three rea­sons: it is fairly easy, ends at the famed pre-Inca Castillo de Cha­vín, and is claimed by many to be an . Inca or pre-Inca trail. The direct route from OlIeros to Chavin is one of the least interesting trips in this book in terms of mountain views. It passes the needle of Nevado Huantsán Chico (5703) and some smalIer glacial peaks, an d massive Nevado Huantsán (6395).

The real highlights are the side trips to the Quebradas Huant­sán and Rurec. The Quebrada Huantsán has an awesome view of the towering east walI of Nevado Huantsán. The broad Quebrada Rurec (not to be confused with the Q. Rurec above Huántar) is a distinctive canyon with high granite walIs below Nevados Huant­san Chico, Cashan Este (5716), Rurec (5696), Uruashraju (5722) and the distant Huantsán.

The OlIeros-Chavín trail is easy to folIow, staying on .. the south bank of the streams the whole way. The first . part consists of a waIk up a long grassy valIey to a wide pass; then the trail drops down a steep, narrow canyon to Chavín.

Route Description

Several pickup trucks shuttle between Olleros and . Huaraz. Above Olleros (3500) cross the Rio Negro to .. the south and follow the trail (a road at first) up the long valley. As the trail climbs past the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Rio Rurec the Camino a la Quebrada Rurec (4000), at this point a road, crosses the main trail and descends to the left to cross the river.

The trail to Chavín continues up the right bank of the Rio Negro . As it crosses a long meadow the Camino a Uruashraju (4050) forks to the left and crosses the river. The long meadows end and the climb to the pass begins. At this point there are two streams flowing from the east, and the route is not clear. Cross the southern stream .. and climb the ridge toward the northern stream, where . you will once again find the wide trail, which winds up the valley to Punta Yanashallash (4700).

The trail descends steeply from Punta Yanashallash and fol­lows the right bank of the river as it crosses some meadows (crossing to the left bank only for 100m). It descends steeply again and comes to the Puente a la Quebrada Jato (3900). Con­tinuing clown the right side, the main trail descends (at times quite steeply) through the narrow Quebrada Huachecsa to the ruins of the Castillo de Chavín (3200).