Conguillio National Park and Volcan Llaima

A National Park Of Araucaria Forests, Lava Fields And Lakes Around Volcan Llaima, One Of Chile'S Most Active Volcanoes; Part Of The Araucarias Biosphere Reserve · Melipeuco, La Araucania

Conguillio National Park protects a landscape shaped by fire and ice around Volcan Llaima, one of the most active volcanoes in Chile, a snow-capped cone rising above forests of araucaria, the monkey-puzzle tree that can live for over a thousand years. Lava flows from past eruptions have left great black rivers of rock across the park, dammed lakes such as Conguillio and Arco Iris, and drowned forests whose dead trunks still stand in the water of Lago Captren. The best-known walk, the Sierra Nevada trail, climbs through ancient araucarias to viewpoints over Lago Conguillio, the Llaima and the glaciers of the Sierra Nevada, and it is often called one of the finest day hikes in Chile. Woodpeckers, parakeets and condors live in the forest, and pumas are occasionally seen. The park is far quieter than the lake district further south, reached on gravel roads from Melipeuco or Curacautin, with cabins and campsites by the lakes. In winter, a small ski area operates on Llaima. The volcano erupted in 2008, and its alert level still matters.

Camino a Conguillio, Melipeuco, La Araucania, Melipeuco, La Araucania, Chile

The park is open all year, with the main season from November to April. The roads in are partly gravel and can close with snow in winter, when the Las Araucarias ski area operates on Llaima. Campsites and cabins run mostly in summer. Volcanic activity can lead to closures; check the alert level.

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