Cajas National Park
Paso Desolación (Desolation Pass)
Cajas National Park vs Paso Desolación (Desolation Pass): Intensity Score Comparison
Both routes share a similar overall intensity (29 vs 28). Depending on personal strengths, the challenge relies more on Cajas National Park's technicality versus the physical output of the other.
Model-based (not a field report) · Evaluates overall route demand, not danger.
Cajas National Park is a high-altitude páramo landscape notable for its glacial lakes and unique polylepis forests. As an Official Marked Trail network, it features a series of interconnected routes across a jagged, moisture-rich plateau. Compiled from publicly available sources — not a field report.
Set within Chile's spectacular Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, the Paso Desolación (Desolation Pass) trek showcases the incredible, destructive power of the perfectly-conical Osorno volcano. The classic route runs point-to-point between La Picada and Petrohué; many hikers arrange transport at one end. The day hike traverses barren volcanic ash fields and lava flows, offering a stark contrast to the nearby lush, verdant forests. Along the route, hikers are treated to mesmerizing panoramic views stretching across the emerald-green waters of Lake Todos los Santos and the jagged peaks of Mount Tronador in the distance.
Head-to-Head Metric Analysis
HikeMetrics Hazard Scale — Explanation
The HikeMetrics Hazard Scale is a proprietary 5-point classification system that evaluates hiking routes across five dimensions: physical demand, technical complexity, altitude exposure, weather risk, and rescue accessibility.
Unlike generic star ratings, the Hazard Scale is calibrated against altitude profiles, elevation gain per day, and logistical isolation factors — making it the most precise route classification system available.
Full Scale Documentation