Cordillera NegraAbout Cordillera Negra
The Cordillera Negra is a mountain range in Peru’s Ancash region that runs parallel to the higher, glaciated Cordillera Blanca to the east. It is known as the ‘Black Range’ because its peaks generally lack permanent snow and glaciers.
The range reaches high elevations above the Andean valleys, with summits and passes commonly over 4,000 metres and some peaks exceeding 5,000 metres. It offers trekking routes and viewpoints that look across the Callejón de Huaylas toward the Cordillera Blanca’s glaciated summits.
Geologically part of the Andean orogeny, the Cordillera Negra forms the western wall of the central Peruvian highlands and influences local climate and drainage patterns.
Located in the Ancash region, the range lies west of the Callejón de Huaylas and the Santa River valley, with the city of Huaraz serving as the principal regional base for access and services.
- Glacier-free ridge: Runs parallel to the Cordillera Blanca on the west side of the Callejón de Huaylas and generally lacks permanent glaciers despite high summits.
- Neighbor to the Cordillera Blanca: Provides views across the valley to the snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Blanca and lies within the Ancash region of Peru.
Best Time to Visit Cordillera Negra
The Cordillera Negra is most accessible in the dry season (May-September) when trails are drier and weather is more stable for trekking.
Weather & Climate near Cordillera Negra
Cordillera Negra's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from -7°C to 10°C. Moderate rainfall (794 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -2° - 9° | 4° | 121 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -2° - 9° | 0° | 124 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -2° - 9° | 1° | 159 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -3° - 9° | 0° | 78 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -5° - 9° | -3° | 21 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | -7° - 9° | -4° | 2 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | -7° - 9° | -4° | 3 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | -7° - 9° | -4° | 10 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -5° - 9° | -3° | 36 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -4° - 9° | -2° | 81 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 10° | -1° | 77 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -3° - 10° | 4° | 82 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Cordillera Negra
The Cordillera Negra in Ancash is accessed from the city of Huaraz, which is the principal base for the region. From Huaraz take regional roads and colectivo/minibus services westward toward smaller highland villages and trailheads on the western slopes; much access beyond paved roads requires local dirt roads and hiking.
Expect to park or disembark at mountain villages or trailheads and continue on foot-local guides and 4x4 transfers are commonly used for reaching higher trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Cordillera Negra
- Plan visits in the dry season (roughly May-September) for the clearest mountain views and the most reliable trail access in the Ancash region.
- Base yourself in Huaraz for day trips into the Cordillera Negra - Huaraz is the established logistics hub for the area and local operators can arrange shorter hikes or viewpoints into the darker, glacier-free ridges that contrast strongly with the nearby Cordillera Blanca.
- Take a viewpoint route that emphasizes the visual contrast between the snow-covered Cordillera Blanca and the low, brown slopes of the Cordillera Negra; that dramatic contrast is a photographic highlight that many travelers miss when focusing only on Blanca treks.