Araucaria forest
The Mapuche tree.
Elemaki — CC BY 3.0 · Cris.tbl — CC BY 4.0 · Miguel Sepulveda Contardo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Heckenmeise — CC BY-SA 4.0
A small mountain park created in 1912, covered in ancient araucaria forest, the monkey-puzzle tree sacred to the Mapuche people, with tall straight trunks and umbrella-like branches, and clear mountain lakes and waterfalls among the woods. Its best-known route is the Los Lagos trail, climbing from Lake Tinquilco through dense forest past the Nido de Águila and Trafulca waterfalls to a plateau dotted with small lakes, Chico, Toro and Verde, ringed by araucarias, with views of Villarrica volcano on a clear day. The trail is moderate, about five to seven hours there and back, with steady climbing in the first half. For less, short trails lead to waterfalls and lookouts near the entrance. Buy your ticket online and carry food and water, as there are no shops inside. The road from Pucón is partly paved, then dirt.
The Mapuche tree.
Chico, Toro, Verde.
Along the way.
Lake Tinquilco, about 35 km north-east of Pucón
About five to seven hours there and back with moderate climbing; bring food and water, as there are no shops.