Huerquehue National Park

Huerquehue National Park sits 35 kilometres east of Pucón, covering 12,500 hectares of temperate rainforest, alpine lakes, and old-growth araucaria stands. The classic circuit — Los Lagos — takes five to six hours and connects five lakes set in a landscape of volcanic rock and ancient forest. It is one of the best day hikes in the Chilean Lake District.

The park entrance is reachable by bus or taxi from Pucón in under an hour. Go early: the park sees significant traffic in January and February, and the trailhead becomes crowded by mid-morning. The upper lakes — Toro, Tinquilco, Chico — are quieter and worth the extra effort. Condors occasionally circle the ridge above.

things to do sight wildlife
A story
The araucaria trees that dominate Huerquehue's higher elevations are older than most European cathedrals. Some of the specimens on the Los Lagos circuit are estimated at over 1,000 years old. The Mapuche people called the tree piñonero — its large, edible seeds were a staple food for centuries and remain a seasonal delicacy today.