The fortress
Stone walls and houses.
ESO/A. Ghizzi Panizza — CC BY 4.0 · Lastutok — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lastutok — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jorge Pacheco — CC BY-SA 2.0
An ancient stone fortress on a steep hillside above the San Pedro River valley, built by the Atacameño people about eight centuries ago to guard the oasis and caravan routes, with walls of stone and clay and dozens of houses and storerooms packed up the slope. It was the native people's last stronghold against the Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century, and today it is a national monument being restored and protected. Visitors climb a steep trail between the stone walls and read about Atacameño life in farming and caravan trade. From the hilltop a wide view takes in the green oasis, the river valley, the Cordillera de la Sal and towering Licancabur volcano, framed by a modern stone arch on the summit that has become one of the area's best-known photos. The site is close to town, so go by bike or on foot. The trail is steep and exposed to the sun, so go in the morning or just before sunset and carry water.
Stone walls and houses.
Framing the volcano.
River valley.
About 3 km north of San Pedro de Atacama town
On foot or by bike from San Pedro in about half an hour, on a flat road then a steep trail to the top.