Cerro San Cristóbal

Cerro San Cristóbal Review

St. Christopher's Hill, within Parque Metropolitano, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Santiago. From the western entrance at Plaza Caupolicán you can walk—it's a steep but enjoyable one-hour climb—or take the funicular. (The funicular, which opened in 1925, is a historic monument.) Either route leads you to the summit, which is crowned by a gleaming white statue of the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción. From either entrance you can drive up by car (entrance fee of 2,000 pesos per vehicle). Until it broke down in 2009, the teleférico (cable car) ascended from the eastern entrance, seven blocks north of the Pedro de Valdivia metro stop. At this writing teleférico operations are suspended, and it's not clear whether the cable car will be repaired or whether the entire system will be replaced, likely putting operations on hold until 2011 or longer.