At 2,847 metres, Volcán Villarrica is the defining landmark of Pucón and one of the most active volcanoes in South America. The standard ascent begins before dawn from the ski resort base and takes four to six hours round-trip, depending on conditions. The route goes up through araucaria forest, then onto open snowfields and finally a glacier, using crampons and an ice axe for the final push to the summit.
The view from the crater rim — on the rare clear morning — takes in Lago Villarrica shimmering below, the cone of Volcán Lanín on the Argentine border, and on exceptional days the distant Pacific coast. Most tour agencies in Pucón offer guided ascents, including all equipment rental. The volcano is frequently closed for safety during periods of heightened activity, so book flexibly and check the OVDAS alert level the night before.