Introduction

A great option for visiting the spectacular Piedra del Águila viewpoint in the Nahuelbuta mountain range is to do so via the Casa de Piedra route, which is an excellent alternative to the traditional route, offering the possibility of visiting a different area of the forest in Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta. This forest is principally made up of coigües (nothofagus dombeyi) and here you can also see strange rock formations which in the past were used as refuges by indigenous hunters in the region. These ancient inhabitants probably had the chance to see nahuel, the animal which gives its name to the park.

The word Nahuelbuta means “large jaguar” in the indigenous language Mapudungun. It should be mentioned that this jaguar (panthera onca) also known as the Patagonian tiger, is now extinct. The first Europeans to arrive in South America in the 16th century referred to it as a “tiger” for its resemblance to this species, whilst they called the puma a “lion” for the same reason. Even now many people in the south of Chile still call the latter a lion, forgetting the name that they themselves used in pre-Hispanic times: Pangui or Trapial for puma and Nahual for jaguar.

The heart of the Nahuelbuta mountain range is made up of granite and in turn this contains metamorphic rock called Series Orientales. The geological wealth in this protected area can be appreciated from the Casa de Piedra route.
The Casa de Piedra route is shorter and has less change in altitude than the better known Piedra del Águila route, so it is relatively easy to complete the trail as a family. You can walk there and back, or just one way if you park at the end of the route.

Appropriate season

From spring to autumn. In winter the access road can be closed due to snowfall.

Access

The Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta can be reached either from the east from the city of Angol in the IX region, or from the west from the city of Cañete in the VIII region.

From Angol – IX region

The Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta can be reached via the road R-150P which in turn becomes route R-126 which leads west out of Angol in the IX region. Continue along the well-maintained dirt road for 34km until you reach the entrance to the national park. From the entrance to the park, continue for another 6km along the road until a crossing leading to the campiste Pehuenco and the Conaf guard post which is where the route begins.

From Cañete – VIII region

The Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta can also be reach from Cañete on the other side of the Nahuelbuta mountain range in the VIII region. Take the route P-560 which turns into P-562, leading east out of Cañete and is signposted to Piedra del Águila. Continue along the route for 53km until you reach Puerta Pichinahuel. From this entrance point to the park, continue for another 6km along the dirt road towards the campsite and the Conaf guard post. Do not follow the road to Piedra del Águila as this leads to the car park closest to the other route, and not to the start of the Casa de Piedra trail.

There is no public transport to the park, but you can hire a taxi from Angol or from Cañete

Permits / Prices

The entry fees to the Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta are as follows:

• High Season: Chilean adult CLP$2500 (approx. US$5), Chilean child CLP$1000 (approx. US$2), foreign adult CLP$4500 (approx. US$9), foreign child CLP$2500 (approx. US$5).
• Low Season: Chilean adult CLP$1500 (approx. US$3), Chilean child CLP$500 (approx. US$1), foreign adult CLP$2000 (approx. US$4), foreign child CLP$500 (approx. US$1), children under 6 years old enter free; adults over 65 years old have a 50% discount.

Accommodation / Facilities

In the Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta, there is a campsite called Pehuenco. In summer 2015 the price for staying at the campsite was CLP$10000 (approx. USD$20) per place per night.

Recommendations

• This route can be completed in either direction: you can start the trail by the road which leads to the entrance to the national park; or you can at the car park near to the Piedra del Águila. The description given here corresponds to the first of these options.

Gear

• Walking boots

Schedule

1. Angol or Cañete - Piedra del Águila - Angol or Cañete