Codo de los Andes: A High-View Hike Near Samaipata

Codo de los Andes is a hiking area near Samaipata that earns strong marks for its scenery. Public Google reviews give it 4.6 from 105 reviews, with the main appeal being the open mountain views around the trail’s high points. Several reviewers describe the walk as beautiful and worthwhile, especially for people who enjoy mountain landscapes rather than heavily developed attractions.

The walk

The route has several starting options. Reviewers mention three points along the access road, with the second and third used most often in the available accounts. The furthest starting point offers a shorter walk and less elevation gain, though it leaves out some views. The longer version reaches a peak, continues along a ridge and can descend toward the waterfalls.

A complete outing takes about five hours including breaks, according to one detailed review. Stopping after the first peak can reduce the time by roughly two hours, while still preserving the main valley panorama. The trail is generally described as easy to follow, but that does not make every section easy. The descent toward the waterfalls is technical, and one reviewer found the hike harder than expected.

What reviews praise

The strongest recurring feature is the view from the upper section. Hikers report seeing the whole valley from the peak, with broad scenery continuing along the ridge. The trail passes through mountain valleys and feels more like a proper countryside hike than a short lookout walk.

Condor sightings are another attraction, though they are not guaranteed. One reviewer said the birds could sometimes be seen at close range. The ridge walk is also worth preserving in the itinerary. Visitors who turn around at the first peak save time, but miss that additional stretch.

Practical points

Access involves a rough road section beyond the main road, and reviewers describe taking a taxi from Samaipata to the ticket point. The attraction has an entrance fee, but current pricing is not established here. One review says signs state that a guide is mandatory. Other visitors went without one and found the route straightforward, while another person used a guide and felt the walk did not require one. That conflict is important. Visitors should confirm the current local rule before setting out and follow any access instructions from the property or entrance staff.

There is also a reported access problem on the continuation toward Cuevas waterfalls. One reviewer said that section was closed and that the property owner at the far end objected to visitors crossing. The route should not be treated as an open through-hike without checking locally.

Who should go

Codo de los Andes suits hikers who want a half-day mountain outing with a substantial viewpoint and the option of a longer ridge section. It requires proper footwear, care on the descent and enough daylight for the chosen route. The shorter approach works for visitors focused on the main panorama. Stronger walkers can allow around five hours for the fuller circuit, subject to current trail access.

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