Classic circuit in Huerquehue National Park

A bus leaves Pucón to the national park at 8:30. In nice weather, hellishly crowded with tourists. The journey takes about an hour. Part of the way is on dusty gravel. The bus ascends from Pucón (220 m above sea level) to Lake Tinquilco (770 m above sea level)

The path leads first along Lake Tinquilco to a meadow from where you can see the mountain massif in front of you, which you have to climb. The most beautiful part of the park with lakes and araucariums is on a kind of plateau high above the lake.

So at the very beginning of the tour, the biggest drip awaits you. As a reward, however, there are two beautiful miradors along the way to the Villarica volcano on the horizon and Lake Tinquilco below you.

After an hour of climbing from the lake, you can also climb the second mirador, which is perhaps even nicer. Along the way you will pass two turns to the waterfalls. But keep them when you return.

From the second viewpoint it is only a quarter of an hour to the first lake – Laguna Chica, 500 meters higher than the starting point of the trek.

If you love lake scenery, you will really get your money's worth here.

Around this small plateau with lakes rise peaks that are less than two thousand meters above sea level. Cerro San Sebastian is a place which is worth the attention

The journey continues to the second lagoon Torro

From Lake Torro you can see the top of Cerro San Sebastian (1,880 m above sea level), another possible hike in this national park. The top of the mountain is deforested and offers wonderful views.

Finally, you are in prehistory – nothing has changed here in 150 million years.

It will take you almost an hour to walk through the forest to a great view of the much less visited part of the park. From here, the road descends deep into the valley and you don't have a chance to continue on a day trip due to time constraints.

Far on the horizon, a kilometer below you can see a piece of the huge lake Caburgua

From the vantage point, you return to the classic circuit and continue for a relatively long time through the local forest.

Another stop of this great tour is the small lagoon Los Patos, of course also with old araucariums.

The circuit slowly turns back and you descend to the largest plateau – Lago Verde

The circle closes and you return the same way. Enjoy the view of Villarica again and, if you have time, head to the wild Cascada Trufulco waterfall

At the second viewpoint there is a branch to the second waterfall Salto Nido de Aguilas, which is even more beautiful