est. 2017
The Cordillera Blanca mountain range located near Huaraz, Peru has been the highlight of my trip so far.
The most popular day trip in the area is Laguna 69. If short on time in Huaraz, it’s a must do! And if you’re opting to do any longer hikes including Santa Cruz, it’s a great acclimatizing hike.
When you think of hiking in Peru, probably the only thing that comes to mind is Machu Picchu. But if you’re in Peru, don’t miss the quaint city of Huaraz, located about 8 hours north of Lima, and the jumping off point for great hiking.
Making up the skyline of Huaraz is the beautiful Cordillera Blanca range. Located within Cordillera Blanca is Huarascán National Park, which is home to condors, pumas, as well as Peru’s tallest mountain, Huarascán.
After spending about a month and a half on the beach, I was so ready to head to Ecuador’s mainland and enjoy the mountains. It’s not that I didn’t love the beach, but the sun was starting to drain me and my hair could sure use a break from all the salt.
First stop? Cuenca. A city located in Ecuador’s Andes mountains. The plan was to hang out in Cuena for some time to take Spanish classes, however I was really excited to explore Cajas National Park, located less than an hour from the city. Coming in at over 70,000 acres (wut), over 4,000m/13,000 ft in elevation (wut), and over 700 lakes (wut), this nature lover could not wait to escape the city and explore the mountainous landscape of lakes, unique plants, and wild animals.
Located in West Virginia, this area was once used the area for artillery and mortar training during World War II. In the 1970’s, with the open land being threatened, The Nature Conservancy, began purchasing the land for preservation and recreational use. Today Dolly Sods Wilderness Area consists of 17,371 acres and almost 50 miles of hiking trails.
If you’re in the Mid-Atlantic (and not afraid to get your feet wet), I highly suggest finding your way to Dolly Sods!
