Huancavelica - Mercury Mines Hike

The remains of mercury mines, which were created during the time of Francisco Pizzaro, can still be seen outside of Huancavelica on the mercury mine hike. A three-hour round trip hike leads to the village of Santa Barbara and the remains of the mercury mines, which were closed in the mid 1970s. The entrance to the original mine can still be seen past Santa Barbara on the way to the mining installations.

The entrance is not sealed off but entering the old mercury mine is not recommended for safety reasons. The mine is nicknamed Mina de la Muerte, meaning death mine. Some of the locals still mine mercury on a small scale.

The hike is steep and climbs to over 4000m / 12,920ft.