El Cerro de los Siete Colores | Your ULTIMATE Guide
El Cerro de los Siete Colores is an easily accessible trail from Purmamarca that allows you to see all the beautiful colors in the desert rocks.
Most visitors to Purmamarca come for El Cerro de Los Siete Colores Argentina and for good reason. This mountain range is stunning! Everywhere you turn, it feels like the perfect photo opportunity. This place is magical. Whether you come for just one day to Purmamarca or stay a few days, getting up close to these mountains is a must.
I spent one entire week in Purmamarca in June 2022 because I wanted to feel as close to these mountains as possible. I loved being surrounded by red rocks in the small valley where the town of Purmamarca sits. Purmamarca is one of the more ‘expensive’ towns in Jujuy, but it is worth visiting for its proximity to nature, as well as being a base for other nearby trips.
In this blog post, I will lay out the best and easiest ways to see the Cerro de los Siete Colores whether you have just one hour, one day, or one week. I’ll also provide some hints for finding the lesser trekked trails for the ultimate views of the Cerro de los Siete Colores.
Where is the Cerro de los Siete Colores located?
The Cerro de los Siete Colores is located in the town of Purmamarca, in the province of Jujuy in the north of Argentina. You can easily reach the path to see these colored mountains from the center of town.
The town of Purmamarca is located 2.5 hours north of Salta, the capital of the Salta Province. It is just one hour north of San Salvador de Jujuy, the capital of the Jujuy Province of Argentina.
Map of the Cerro de los Siete Colores Route
The map below shows the route of the Cerro de los Siete Colores, marked in red. As you can see, the route passes directly through the center of town, making it very simple to find.
Cerro de los Siete Colores in English
Cerro de los Siete Colores translates literally to “Hill of the Seven Colors” in English. This is because the small mountain range is full of shades of reds, oranges, purples, and in some places greens and blues.
Cerro de los Siete Colores Facts
- The name suggests 7 colors, but you can find more than that in certain light.
- The formations of these hills were originally formed underwater.
- The mountains moved above water due to tectonic plates shifting.
- Each color represents a different mineral.
- The mountains were formed over 75 million years ago.
- It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023
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How to Visit the Cerro de los Siete Colores | What to Know
If you’re staying in Purmamarca, seeing the Hill of Seven Colors is very easy. The start of the route is just a short walk from the center of town. It’s a giant loop, so you can go in whichever direction you want.
If you don’t plan to sleep in Purmamarca, there are several tours you can join from Salta (which are usually combined with the Salinas Grandes).
How long does it take to hike the Cerro de los Siete Colores?
If you walk without stopping, the path can be as short as 30-45 minutes. But trust me, you’ll want to stop and admire the surroundings. You may even want to wander off the main path a bit to get even closer to the rocks and mountains. I suggest spending a few hours wandering the area to soak it all in. The full loop is about 2 miles long.
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When should I hike the Cerro de los Siete Colores?
If you are sleeping in Purmamarca then I suggest taking a stroll along the route every day. Mornings are incredibly peaceful in the area. Tour groups usually arrive in Purmamarca around 9-10 am. Therefore, if you want to have the place to yourself, take a morning stroll.
To see the giant west-facing cliffs, I suggest going in the late afternoon when the sun shines directly onto them around 4 pm. I have marked those cliffs on the map above in the blue rectangle.
I was in Purmamarca in June and it was the perfect temperature. It was warm during the day and chilly at night. But I did not suffer the super cold of winter, nor the oppressive desert heat of the summer.
I believe the best times to visit the area would be May and June, or March and April. But keep in mind that the north of Argentina celebrates Carnival and therefore gets very busy around that time (February). Make sure to check a calendar for the exact dates of Carnival before you go.
What You Can See along the 7 Colors Route
You can get a lot of great views from various points as you walk along the route of the 7 Colors.
View of the Hill of Seven Colors: Cerro el Porito
The easiest and quickest way to see the mountains is from the Cerro el Porito, which is a small viewpoint at the top of the town. If you only have a short time in Purmamarca, this is a great place to start. From up here, you can see a fantastic panorama of the Cerro de los Siete Colores from the center of town.
TIME: Open 9 am- 7 pm
COST: $0.25 USD
How to get to the Cerro el Porito
It takes only 5-10 minutes to reach this viewpoint from the main plaza. Just walk up Calle Florida, and it will become very obvious once you reach the top of the street.
It is very affordable to enter and you can stay as long as you want, though you won’t need much time. But you will get some great shots from up above Purmamarca.
Additional hikes from the Cerro el Porito
While you’re up on top of the Cerro el Porito, look towards the red mountain where you’ll see a path going up right through the valley (photo below). Once you leave the Porito viewing area, I suggest heading in the direction of the valley and walking up to the peak.
Treat yourself to another view of the city from a different perspective. While you’re up there, you can also look down the other direction to see part of the main path that goes through the mountain range.
Camino del Cerro de los Siete Colores
After visiting the Cerro el Porito (and potentially the hike up the valley), it’s time to head to the route of the Cerro de los Siete Colores.
A circular path goes out of the town of Purmamarca in the north, through the mountains, and back into town in the south. The two starting/ending points are the Cemeterio de Purmamarca and Cerro el Porito. You can start from either spot. It’s a big loop so you won’t get lost.
My Suggestion for visiting the Hill of Seven Colors
Walk one way in the morning, and then walk the route again one more time in the afternoon but in the opposite direction. This will allow you to see the path from different perspectives, but it also allows you to see how the mountains change color throughout the day as the sun crosses their path.
TIME: No open/close time, the circuit takes about 30-45 minutes
COST: Free
Panorama of El Cerro de los Siete Colores
If you’ve gone through the circuit and are still yearning for more, then I have one more hike to suggest to you. It doesn’t take a long time, but it is a bit more challenging. Rather than walk through the middle of the mountain range, this time, you can take a step back and see it from a distance.
To get there is super simple, though less common. I didn’t see anyone else try this route. The only reason I know is that I asked a local shop owner if there was a path that would allow me to see a different view of the mountains.
How to reach the Panorama of El Cerro de los Siete Colores
First, go back to the entrance to the town, where the traffic booth is. Look across the highway and you’ll see a small opening in the metal traffic fence, along with a couple sign signposts (photo below on the left).
Cross the highway and go through that opening. Go across the dry river bed in the direction of the pink house. Just in front of the pink house, you’ll see the start of a path. Follow that path (bottom right photos below).
There are a couple of different routes you can take, but they all zig-zag their way up. I followed one path as far as I could go and was treated to a spectacular view of the entire Cerro de los Siete Colores. It is worth it. This is not a loop like the other path, so you’ll need to take the same path back down and into town.
It can get pretty windy up there, so be prepared for that. Also, you should only do this hike if you are comfortable on narrow rocky paths. If you have a fear of heights or don’t feel that adventurous, you may want to avoid this path.
TIME: No open/close time, but only do this in the light. About 30 minutes.
COST: Free
Packing for El Cerro de los Siete Colores
- SPF– it gets sunny out there!
- A hat– Useful for the bright sun.
- Sunglasses– Again, for the sunny sun!
- A jacket or windbreaker– even though it’s sunny, it can get windy at times.
- Water– You’ll be doing a lot of walking, stay hydrated! I use the LifeStraw.
- Money– You’ll need a few pesos to pay for the entrance to the Cerro el Porito.
- Camera– For the obvious hundreds of photos you’ll take.
- Tripod– Especially if you’re traveling alone.
- Drone– Bring it if you’ve got one. Lots of good shots.
- Good shoes- You can do it with good sports shoes, hiking boots are not essential.
Where to Stay in Purmamarca
Purmamarca is small and it is easy to walk everywhere, but all the roads are dirt. It may be difficult to drag a suitcase, but the walk to your hotel won’t be long.
Hostal Giramundo
A popular hostel in Purmamarca is Hostal Giramundo. There are a number of these hostels around the north of Argentina, and they are very fun places with great ambiance.
Click HERE to see the availability for the Hostal Giramundo
Del Amauta Hosteria
A beautiful place to stay in Del Amauta Hosteria. It has a great location right on the edge of town, but everything here is walkable. The rooms are clean and beautiful.
Click HERE to see the availability for Del Amauta Hosteria and make sure to BOOK AHEAD
Los Colorados Cabañas Boutique
This hotel is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Purmamarca. It’s set back a bit from the center of town and feels like it’s built right into the red rocks. This is one of the most unique hotels in Jujuy. If you’re looking to treat yourself a little, stay here.
Click HERE to book the beautiful Los Colorados Cabañas Boutique
The Hill of Seven Colors Final Thoughts
I hope everyone has a chance to visit the north of Argentina in their lifetime because it is truly magical. Visiting Purmamarca and the Cerro de los Siete Colores is a necessary stop on your north of Argentina itinerary.
It is not complicated to reach but it is very worth it. If you have the time, I also suggest spending a couple of days in Purmamarca as well. Even though it’s a small town, it has a lot to offer. Both the town and the people here are amazing.
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