Crater rim
Smoke and sulphur.
Draceane — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yaniriss.p — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Elquimeras — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nicolás Barra Robles — CC BY-SA 4.0
A white volcanic cone rising over the town of Pucón and Lake Villarrica, one of Chile's most active volcanoes, with a light plume of smoke rising from its crater most days and sometimes a glowing lava lake inside. Its Mapuche name, Ruka Pillañ, means house of the great spirit. Climbing to the summit is one of Chile's best-known adventures: a long day with a licensed guide, starting at dawn with a chairlift and then walking on snow and ice with gear and ice axes to the crater rim, where you smell sulphur and peer into the volcano, then a fast descent, sometimes by sliding on the snow. Ascents are allowed when activity is low, and the authorities close them when the alert level rises. Non-climbers see it from Pucón and its black-sand beach, drive up to the ski centre on its flank, or walk park trails through araucaria forest. The climb is tiring and needs fitness, so choose a licensed company and check the volcano and weather before booking.
Smoke and sulphur.
On the snow.
Park trails.
Villarrica National Park, about 15 km south of Pucón
Yes, with a licensed company, guide and gear if you are fit, and only when volcanic activity is low enough to allow it.