The view of the Andes from Cerro San Cristobal above Santiago, Chile.
Brian Mann/NPR
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Brian Mann/NPR
SANTIAGO, Chile — It’s autumn in South America and in Chile’s capital, Santiago, that means great hiking weather in the steep hills above the city.
Santiago is vast, more than six million people spread over the country’s flat Central Valley. Jutting up from the city’s busy neighborhoods are forested hills of volcanic rock.
After a few minutes of climbing, the noise and crowds give way to pine forests, birds and sweeping views.
