Santa Cruz Trek
~3 days · 28 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Santa Cruz Trek is known for
The Cordillera Blanca's classic traverse, climbing from Vaquería to the 4,750 m Punta Union pass under Alpamayo and Taulliraju, then descending the Santa Cruz valley past Laguna Jatuncocha to Cashapampa.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 9,557 ft to 15,446 ft over 28 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 8.4 mi · 30%
- Downhill 14.0 mi · 50%
- Flat 5.6 mi · 20%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Santa Cruz Trek?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Santa Cruz Trek scores 25/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Santa Cruz Trek take?
Most backpackers hike the Santa Cruz Trek in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 28 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Santa Cruz Trek?
The Santa Cruz Trek climbs roughly 5,495 ft total — about 196 ft per mile, topping out near 15,614 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.