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This trail starts or ends in Caspalá village. The trail is 40 km and passes the Serranía at its southern part. Unfortunately, you will not pass by any viewpoint to see the coloured side of the mountains. But you might find a way into the Serranía Valley about 15 km from Caspalá, and from there up to one of the viewpoints mentioned above. If you start in Humahuaca, this way you can circle through the Serranía without the hassle of organising a taxi to/from Caspalá. There are sufficient camp opportunities along the way. Check out OpenStreetMap (used by apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz) for the trail, viewpoints and the short-cut into the valley.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Instead of taking an overpriced taxi, you can also hike to the viewpoint(s). It is 19 km and should take all day, if you start early at around 8. However, if you hitch-hike, even to the car viewpoint, you could easily do it in 4-5 hr. Make sure to arrive after 14:00, only then the colours will really develop their real range.
Serranía de Hornocal is a colorful rock formation, the "mountain of 14 colors". At the top walk for 20 minutes to the viewpoint. The best light to visit is in the afternoon (14:00). Before it is really not worth it, you will not have many colours. You will be at 4,350 m above sea level: you may want to avoid the 20-minute walk, as the return trip is steep and can be difficult if you're not acclimatised. This trip is deservedly popular, you see vicuna on the way and the road winds up and up through the dusty valley. The view from the top is as good as any in the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
A giant white-and-red desert rock accessible by a 25-minute hike. There's a shrine built into the side of the rock, with stairs you can climb up for a great view of the area. To the right of the shrine are some hand and footholds you can use to get even higher on the rock. To get there, follow Salta Street east over the bridge and keep going.
A pre-Columbian archaeological and with 40 ha the largest in northern Argentina, even before Tilcara. The ruins are mainly terraces used for agriculture, but they did produce more than what was needed by its inhabitants. Consequently, they must have been involved in some kind of trade with the neighbouring villages. Until 1593, the place was used by the collas, also called humahuacans or omaguacans. What is very profound about the place, it possess a rather complex and advanced watering system.
Municipal building with an old clock. When it strikes noon every day a statue of San Francisco Solano slowly comes out like a cuckoo clock.
A colonial-era foundation with an altarpiece dating to the late 17th century. Despite its small size, the church is a cathedral, one of the smallest churches to serve that function. It's sometimes open for visitors to come in and look around. It has lots of side rooms full of religious items, and a gift shop.