Cerro Pochoco is not for beginners. Parts of the hike is quite steep and not well-marked. We hiked for about 30 minutes and were able to see fantastic views of the Andes mountains. It probably takes 2 hours to climb to the top. While I did not make it to the top, I was told that the hike becomes rock climbing, and that getting down was even more difficult.
As a novice hiker, I was quite impressed by the athleticism of the local Chileans. Many brought their dogs and toddlers along with them, and they seem quite fearless and basically ran down the mountain. read more