Riding the Funicular Up Cerro San Cristobal

Looking down on Santiago from the heighths of Cerro San Cristobal

Santiago has a funicular. I am in Santiago. Easy guess as to what else was on my agenda for the day.

It was a short walk through the Bellavista neighborhood to the funicular station. I had to hurry because the funicular would be shutting down for the night in less than one hour!

Fortunately there was no line.

But there was a climb!

And that is why I am so happy. I am having fun. On the fun-icular!

Ascending Cerro San Cristobal. This is one of the good kind of funiculars: two cars. One ascending, one descending, at all times. It's not one of those funiculars with a singe car and a weight providing the balance that makes it a funicular. This is a two-car funicular.

And here it comes!

I am using exclamation points to communicate the fun I have riding funiculars. Don't know why I love 'em. I just do.

It was not a long ride, so soon we were at the terminus, well up the summit of Cerro San Cristobal. 

A better view of the car, with no people!

One last look:

And here are the first of many viewpoints:

There will be more, as we climb higher. The funicular did not quite go up to the summit. Lots and lots (and lots) of stairs to go to get to that point.

And here are a few of those stairs:

And another look down on Santiago, climbing higher.

This is the Capilla La Maternidad de María.

And, this is the summit: La Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción.

This is a large statue of the Virgin Mary visible from many parts of the city. This is a variation on Christ The Redemeer in Rio de Janeiro. You can take a funicular up the summit to either!

Definitely enjoying the atmosphere. And enjoying the knowledge that there are no more stairs up.

For the descent, I take the Camino de las Siete Palabras, the Way of the Seven Words. There are seven crosses along this route.

One of the seven crosses, along with one of the magnificent views down into Santiago.

This cross is a popular stopping point on the Camino de las Siete Palabras. Two reasons. First, it is a switchback point on the descent.

Second, there is a great view of the Costanera Tower, the tallest building in South America.

There are a lot of stray dogs up on Cerro San Cristobal.

They all look to be in good shape, decently well-fed and even tempered. Here's a pup prostrating himself under a bedazzled cross.

But all good fun must come to an end. Time to descend back into Santiago proper.

There was a lot more up top on Cerro San Cristobal for a next visit to Santiago. There is even a teleferico, or cable car, heading eastward. But the day was coming to an end and the funicular would soon shut down for the evening. So time to get on board.

And back down into Bellavista. A lot of people like to be at the summit of Cerro San Cristobal for sunset (or sunrise) (but who would do such a thing at such an hour?). But I'm not into staring at things you're not supposed to look at.

Besides, the shadows were growing longer.

All this walking around left me with little appetite for my last meal in Santiago.

So I had a ham and cheese empanada from this gentleman. Great crust. Not enough "jamon," but very tasty. Good night from Santiago.