A SALUTE TO THE CERRO
WHEN the Spanish founded Santiago nearly 500 years ago, I doubt they realised how important Cerro San Cristobal would become to the place. Of course they probably just looked at it and thought, “That hill might be a good spot for a fort.” But in the years since, it’s become a place for exercise and relaxation, a veritable fortress of peace and quiet within the sprawling city of Santiago.
It’s hard to imagine the Chilean capital without the Cerro San Cristobal in its midst. Like any big city, Santiago is criss-crossed by a mass of roads, with buildings crammed into every block. And then you have the Cerro… a beacon of greenery and traffic-free roads and paths in the midst of urban development. Okay, so there are plenty of parks and open spaces in Santiago. But none compare to the Cerro. Where else can you go to run or ride a quiet path, or join other exercise-lovers to practice yoga or, for the brave, reggaeton aerobics. Where else can walkers, runners, and cyclists share a track with people on horseback?
The cerro is covered in a network of sealed roads and unsealed paths, so offers something for everyone, from those who want an easy walk or jog to those looking for something more challenging. You can easily spend an hour running or cycling tracks on the hill. And while it’s popular on weekend mornings, at other times there are few people to get in your way. And remember this is a place that’s within easy reach of the city centre. In the weekend, the Cerro is almost a temple to recreation. On top of the legions who come to do traditional exercise like running and cycling, fitness fanatics also flock to the hill for yoga sessions. And anyone who’s been up the hill on a Sunday morning will know about the crowds and noise that gather for reggaeton aerobics. It’s almost a religion in itself and where else in the city would groups gather to mix reggaeton with a workout?
But the Cerro’s appeal goes beyond recreation. It’s also the best place to really SEE the city. From the summit you can appreciate the vast natural basin in which Santiago was built. Tourists and locals throng the Summit on a good day, all taking advantage of the natural viewpoint. Depending on smog levels, you can see the coastal ranges far to one side, with the foothills of the Andes in the distance on the other side. And on the Cerro you realize that Santiago’s greatest asset, its natural setting, is compromised by its greatest flaw, the air pollution. Take a walk around Cerro San Cristobal and you’ll often find your view of Santiago hazed by the smoggy air that hangs above the city. But at least you’ll be on the Cerro, taking a break from the city.
For more…
Parque Metropolitano (in English)
Organised Sports on Weekends
For the lazy or those outside of Santiago, a view of the view from the Cerro:
Panoramic View of the Hill (360º Photo)
A video of a view from the top of the hill (55sec)
A video of driving up Cerro San Cristóbal (9min 51sec)
How often do you go up Cerro San Cristóbal?
