Hiking in the Chilean Lakes District

Lake District hiking itinerary

Luc Romersa

Patagonia and Torres del Paine might get all the limelight, but for Chile hiking trips away from the crowds my first recommendation is usually the Lakes and Volcano District of Araucanía in central Chile.

For a good hiking challenge here you’ve got Villarrica Volcano, just half an hour from Pucón, Chile’s outdoor sports hub. Villarrica is extremely active, and climbing up to the crater takes about six hours. You start in a forest, pass through an old ski area, then make your way up to the summit. From there, you can feel the heat and power of the volcano, smell the sulphur, and sometimes even see lava. But my favourite part is sliding back down on the snow – it’s easier and lots more fun than the climb up. If skiing is your thing, head there between August and November, but climbs can happen year-round as long as volcanic conditions allow.

Also high on my list is hiking in Kutralkura Geopark. It’s massive, about 12,000 square kilometres, and full of active volcanoes, ancient forests, lagoons, and incredible scenery. Malalcahuello is great in winter because it has the Corralco ski resort. If you've had enough hiking and prefer to explore on two wheels, there are some great mountain bike trails here too. Conguillío National Park, also within the geopark, is another place I always recommend. It’s got the Sierra Nevada trail, easy enough for most visitors, and from November to April, the seasons put on quite a show, especially the colours in autumn. I love the views around Llaima and Sierra Nevada volcanoes.

If that sounds a bit intense, I'd highly recommend Villarrica National Park, where you'll find beautiful, gentle trails near Puesco, close to the Argentine border. Here, you can also experience authentic Mapuche culture: visit rukas (a traditional house), try local food, and connect with local communities. Just remember to greet people and respectfully ask for permission before entering their land.

Conguillío National Park deserves an extra mention because the landscapes here are very special, and quite different from Patagonia further south – the BBC even featured it in their series "Walking with Dinosaurs." Special moments for me include visiting the waterfalls at Truful Truful, where you can clearly see thousands of years of volcanic history, and hiking the Sierra Nevada trail, surrounded by the impressive monkey-puzzle trees. Just be aware that trails can be remote, so I’d suggest going with a local guide and having the right gear.

I’d advise against visiting in June because of heavy rain, and always check the volcano activity levels before planning a summit climb.

El Cañi Sanctuary

Marcela Torres

The Cañi Sanctuary has 500 hectares of mountain rainforest, 12 volcanic-born lakes, and a wide variety of birdlife to make any nature lover’s heart flutter. Located just 28km east of Pucon along the route to el Huife thermal baths, you can take the bus or drive yourself. Park entrance is 4,000CLP and the guard will hand you a route to follow along with a list of flora and fauna that you can find on the trail.

The entire route consists of 8.5km of intermediate hiking, starting with a steep incline through a fantastic forest of native trees until you reach Laguna Negra viewpoint. After that, you’ll be faced with a 45 minute uphill climb and a magnificent view of the region where you’ll be able to spot four volcanoes; Llaima, Villarica, Quetrupillan, and Lanin. You must take a guide with you except during the summer when the trail is more obvious.

The region is popular with adventure seekers. Pucon and Villarica have great information centres to help you book side trips. Apart from hiking, the region has great thermal baths, kayaking, rafting, and nature watching.

Huerquehue National Park

Marcela Torres

This is a true hiker’s paradise. Located just 35km from Pucon, this national park is famed for its ancient araucaria trees. The oldest tree is 1,800 years old and their seeds are a staple food in the diet of indigenous mapuche tribes. Within the park, there are two main trails for visitors to enjoy.

Park entrance fee is 5,200CLP for international visitors during the high season (November-March) and 3,200CLP during the low season (April-October). Buses leave from Pucon at 08:30 and the last one returns at 19:00. Make sure you bring enough drinking water with you. The only place where you can refill with drinkable water is at the entrance of the park.

The easier of the two trails is the Los Lagos Circuit, which explores the parks crystal clear lakes and lagoons. This route is perfect for beginner to intermediate hikers and the total time to explore the circuit’s five deep-blue lagoons is between 4-5 hours.

If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, the San Sebastian trail might be better suited. This trail takes you through a magical araucaria forest until you reach Cerro San Sebastian for a 360-view of the entire region, including nine volcanoes. The total hiking time is 5-6 hours with 1200m of uphill climbing. The last hour is probably the most difficult part of the trail, involving some scrambling to reach the top. Follow the orange painted rocks that will lead you to the summit — and enjoy the views.

Sendero Sierra Nevada day hike

• Distance: Approx. seven miles (11 km)
• Duration: Five hours
• Start and end point: Conguillío National Park entrance
• Difficulty: Mild

The Sendero Sierra Nevada is a popular day hike within Conguillío National Park and is considered one of Chile’s most beautiful hikes.

With a bit of luck, you might spot species such as the Magellanic Woodpecker or even the elusive Pudu, the smallest deer in the world.

The main highlight of the hike, however, is the panorama from the Sierra Nevada Lookout: breathtaking views of the park, including the Llaima Volcano, Lake Conguillío, and the surrounding araucaria forest.

Sendero San Sebastian day hike

Marcela Torres

• Distance: Approx. 14 km
• Duration: Five to six hours
• Start and end point: Park entrance
• Difficulty: Moderate

Huerquehue National Park is a true hiker’s paradise. Located just 35km from Pucon, this national park is famed for its ancient araucaria trees. The oldest tree is 1,800 years old and their seeds are a staple food in the diet of indigenous mapuche tribes.

Within the park, there are two main trails for visitors to enjoy. The easier of the two trails is the Los Lagos Circuit, which explores the parks crystal clear lakes and lagoons. This route is perfect for beginner to intermediate hikers and the total time to explore the circuit’s five deep-blue lagoons is between four to five hours.

If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, the San Sebastian trail might be better suited. This trail takes you through a magical araucaria forest until you reach Cerro San Sebastian for a 360-view of the entire region, including nine volcanoes. The total hiking time is five to six hours with 1200m of uphill climbing. The last hour is probably the most difficult part of the trail, involving some scrambling to reach the top. Follow the orange painted rocks that will lead you to the summit — and enjoy the views.