La Union is a city of just over 20,000 inhabitants that, since its founding, has been closely linked to mining due to its multiple deposits of silver, iron, lead and zinc. It has also become a great ecotourism attraction due to the multitude of routes and trails through its attractive mining past.
This enormous number of routes and trails is characterized by long distances, mostly circular, ranging from 8 to 25 kilometres, with a difficulty between easy and moderate. Along these routes, tourists and hikers can discover the natural beauties of La Union, as well as its rich historical past.
Among the main routes are the La Union—Rambla del Infierno Route, of moderate difficulty and almost 9 kilometres long. Along it, visitors can see the city’s heritage sites, such as the popular Public Market or the Boilermaking School, and, from there, travel the entire "cresta lomera".
The Stories & Legends of Mining Route is an easy and simple route of almost 9 kilometres. Hikers can admire places of enormous antiquity closely linked to mining, especially the immense Sierra Minera.
Almost 22 kilometres long and with easy difficulty, the La Union—Portman Route gives hikers the opportunity to admire structures, artefacts and utensils of enormous antiquity used by miners since Roman times. The route involves crossing quarries and paths leading to the ancient port.
With a more moderate difficulty and a route of almost 12 kilometres, the La Union—Ruta del 33 Route is a circular path that follows the "Camino del Chorrillo", a place full of history and mining heritage, especially constructions of the early 20th century.
La Union - Rambla del Infierno
Distance: 8.7 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular way
Stories & Legends of Mining
Distance: 8.8 km
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Circular way
La Union - Portman
Distance: 21.7 km
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Circular way
La Union - Ruta del 33
Distance: 11.8 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular way
Cabezo Rajao - Lago Rojo de Corta Brunita
Distance: 10.4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular way
El Descargadero - Mina La Colosa
Distance: 7.9 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular way
Cueva Cola de Caballo – La Union
Distance: 12.3 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Linear
Lago Rojo Brunita - Cabezo Agudo
Distance: 9 km
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Circular way
Mining Route: La Union, Portman
Distance: 14.9 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular way
Venta del Descargador - Portman
Distance: 9.5 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Linear