Lake Conguillío
Clear blue.
Mpazmarzolo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sarah and Iain from - — CC BY 2.0 · Castro.simona — CC BY-SA 4.0 · LBM1948 — CC BY-SA 4.0
A national park since 1950 around the conical Llaima volcano, about 3,125 metres tall and one of Chile's most active, ringed by ancient forests of araucaria, the tree sacred to the Mapuche, clear blue lakes and wide fields of frozen black lava. Its best-known lakes are Conguillío, whose blue water mirrors the mountains, and Arcoíris, the «rainbow», so clear that tree trunks drowned long ago by lava show on its bed. The road through the park winds between forests and lava fields with unforgettable views. Its most famous trail, Sierra Nevada, climbs through araucaria forest to lookouts over Lake Conguillío and snowy Andean peaks, about five hours there and back. Shorter trails lead to waterfalls and small lakes. Roads inside the park are dirt and some close with snow in winter, so check before going. The park has campsites and cabins that need booking ahead. Southern Chile is often rainy, even in summer, so bring a rain jacket.
Clear blue.
Andes lookouts.
Frozen black.
Foot of Llaima volcano, about two and a half hours north of Pucón via Melipeuco
Possible on a long day by car via Melipeuco, but staying in or near the park allows longer trails.