Cerro Calvario

Cerro Calvario (Calvary Hill) is a hill in Copacabana lined with small monuments representing the 14 Stations of the Cross. Pilgrims visit the Stations for prayer and penance and many tourists climb the hill for its fine views.

The Stations of the Cross were built on this hill in the 1950s, when the government decided Copacabana should have more to offer its thousands of pilgrims than just the Basilica of the Virgin.

The trail to the summit begins near the red chapel at the end of Calle Destacamento 211. At the bottom of the stairs, a man can tell your future by dropping lead into a boiling pot of water. About halfway up are native priests burning candles and working with coca leaves. Here you can stop and learn about the ancient rituals of fortunetelling.

There are fine views from the top, and this is an excellent place to watch the sunset over the lake. A hike to the summit takes about a half an hour. To return to the city, return by the way you came or take a rocky path on the west side of the hill that leads to the shores of the lake.