Walk a canyon of salt and abandoned mine ruins on a half-day trek 40 km from San Juan. This guided outing through Quebrada de La Sal blends striking geology with dry, open-country hiking and a shoreline finish at the Ullúm area.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You start on sun-baked scree, salt crystals glinting like broken glass underfoot, and the valley narrows until the walls themselves seem to be carved from white mineral. The trail climbs through Quebrada de La Sal, a short canyon on the slopes of Cerro de Sal in Ullúm, where stalactite-like salt formations and abandoned mine workings give the landscape an unusual, almost otherworldly edge.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 hours (including transfer and breaks)
Fitness Level
Suitable for hikers with a moderate fitness level—able to handle 4–6 hours of moving time with short, steeper sections and loose scree.
Wildlife
History
Salt beds in this part of Ullúm formed from evaporated ancient lakes; small-scale mining left derelict shafts and traces of extraction activity.
Conservation
The salt formations are geologically fragile—stay on trails, pack out waste, and avoid collecting specimens to preserve the site for future visitors.
Reserve your spot on the Cerro de Sal Trekking today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Beat the heat
Start at dawn—temperatures can spike quickly and the white salt reflects sunlight intensely, increasing UV exposure.
Protect the formations
Stay on the marked path and avoid touching or removing salt crystals; the structures are fragile and take long to reform.
Hydrate and replenish salts
Carry extra water and an electrolyte snack; bottled water is typically included but drink early and often on exposed sections.
Watch for old workings
Give any abandoned mine entrances a wide berth—routes pass near historic shafts that are unstable and unmarked.
Sturdy hiking boots
Offers ankle support and grip on salt crust, loose scree, and uneven ground.
Sun hat & high-SPF sunscreen
Essential protection from intense sun reflected off white salt surfaces.
summer
Electrolyte drink or tablets
Helps replace salts lost in dry heat and prevents fatigue on exposed sections.
Light wind shell
Useful for morning chills and sudden breezes that kick up dust near ridge sections.
spring