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Huayhuash Circuit

Huayhuash Circuit — the trail guide

The Huayhuash Circuit is a 98.6 km trek in Peru, typically walked in 5-8 days, with 5721 m of total ascent. It rates Extreme on our published rubric (58 m of gain per km, topping out at 5019 m). Its operating periods and current access must be checked with the linked route authorities; historical climate averages cannot establish whether the route is open or passable.

A family of high-altitude circuits around the Cordillera Huayhuash; SERNANP describes variants of roughly 45–165 km and a full circuit of about 165–180 km crossing multiple high passes.

Quick facts

Distance98.6 km
Total ascent5721 m
Typical duration5-8 days
Difficulty (computed)Extreme
Steepness58 m gain per km
High point5019 m
CountryPeru
RegionPeru

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Extreme" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Official planning information

Elevation profile

Low point 3234 m · high point 5019 m · 5721 m total ascent over 98.6 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 3238 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan17°173 mm
Feb17°172 mm
Mar17°212 mm
Apr17°106 mm
May17°58 mm
Jun18°20 mm
Jul18°18 mm
Aug19°29 mm
Sep19°62 mm
Oct18°121 mm
Nov18°115 mm
Dec17°169 mm

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Huayhuash Circuit?

The Huayhuash Circuit is 98.6 km, and most hikers complete it in 5-8 days. Total elevation gain is 5721 m.

How difficult is the Huayhuash Circuit?

It rates Extreme on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 58 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 5019 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

What season and condition information is available for the Huayhuash Circuit?

PROMPERÚ suggested season: May–September; SERNANP precipitation period begins in September. PROMPERÚ’s official guide, updated in November 2019, suggests May–September. SERNANP says precipitation normally runs from September to mid-April, creating an explicit overlap in September; neither source reports current route-wide status. This note was reviewed 30 Jul 2026 and is not live status; re-check the linked authorities before booking and departure.

Where is the Huayhuash Circuit?

In Peru. The route starts near -10.199, -77.033 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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