Introduction

The Parque Nacional Conguillío must be one of the most extraordinary places that Chile has to offer to nature lovers. With two such spectacular volcanoes as Llaima and Sierra Nevada; myriad lakes; huge forests full of araucarias (Araucaria araucana); a variety of fauna; as well as other marvellous sights, this park is not to be missed when visiting the south of Chile. Of all the routes in the park, the route to the Mirador de la Sierra Nevada is the most accessible and offers the greatest variety of scenery and insight into the sheer wealth of nature that inhabits this zone.

The route starts by one of Lake Conguillío’s most beautiful beaches, leads through a native forest containing multiple viewpoints over the lake, and then ends at a great viewpoint which overs unspoilt views of the volcano Llaima as well as of Lake Conguillío. Despite the name of this route, you will not have many chances to see the Sierra Nevada, over whose skirts this route leads but never truly offers a moment to admire its magnificence and its enormous glaciers.

Appropriate season

From October to May. In winter there can be a lot of snow along the route and the access routes to the park.

Access

Getting to Parque Nacional Conquillío

Private Transport

The Parque Nacional Conquillío is accessible from the north from Victoria o Lautaro via the village of Curacautín. The route is 84km over asphalt road. From Curacautín to the guardpost at Captrén is 34km, of which the first 10km are asphalt. From Captrén it is another 8km to Lake Conguillío along a dirt road which is only open when there is no snowfall. See here how to reach the Parque Nacional Conguillío from Curacautín:

MAP

It is also possible to reach the park from the south via the highway from Temuco to Cunco until you reach the village of Melipeuco (91km over asphalt road). Then it is another 9km until you reach the guardpost at Truful-Truful. From here continue for 20km over lava plains and through forests until you come to the forest of araucaria trees and Lake Conguillío. This road is accessible all year round, with access coordinated by Sendas (a private concession in the park) during the winter months.

There is public transport to Melipueco all year round. In summer the bus takes you all the way to the park. See here how to reach the Parque Nacional Conguillío from Melipueco.

The other option is from the west from Temuco along the highway via Cajón - Vilcún - Cherquenco - Sector Los Paraguas. The road is asphalt until Cherquenco, and then afterwards it is gravelled. It is accessible all year round apart from when there has been snowfall, and in these conditions you must use snow chains and a 4x4 vehicle. See here who to reach the Parque Nacional Conguillío from Cajón.

Public Transport

There are buses run by the company Sandra Vásquez Yáñez (Curacautín Express) which run a service from Curacautín to Captrén which departs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:00, 9:00, 14:00 and 18:00, whilst on Tuesdays and Thursdays it departs at 6:00 and 18:00. the return service from Captrén to Curacautín leaves on Mondays and Fridays at 7:00, 10:00, 15:00 and 19:00, whilst on Tuesdays and Thursdays it leaves at 7:00 and 19:00.

Note than during winter the bus normally only goes as far as the Captrén guardpost (northern entrance to the Parque Nacional Conguillío), and this can vary according to weather conditions.

Another option is offered by the company Nar Bus / Igillaima, whose buses leaves from the Terminal Rural de Temuco (Avda. Anibal Pinto 32, Temuco) for Lake Conguillío. Monday to Saturday the buses depart at 10:30 and return at 14:50; on Sundays the buses leave at 9:00 and return at 17:45.

One last option is to go by bus to Melipeuco or Curacautín and from there you could buy a package from a tourist agency or find private transport to the park.

Getting to the start of the route Mirador de la Sierra Nevada

From the northern entrance (Captrén) to the park, continue for another 8.9km and follow Lake Conguillío around until you reach the end of the lake and arrive at the beach called Playa Linda.

From Melipeuco, you will enter via the southern entrance (Truful-Truful) to the park you will need to continue for another 26km, passing the lakes Verde and Arcoíris, until you reach the start of the trek at Playa Linda. This is signposted.

There is an area where you can park your car by the beach.

Permits / Prices

The entry fees to the park are as follows:

• High season: Chilean adult CLP$4000 (approx. US$8), non-Chilean adult (including older non-Chileans) CLP$6000 (approx. US$12), disabled adult CLP$2000 (approx. USD$4), Chilean child under the age of 6 free, Chilean children between 6 and 18 years of age CLP$2000 (approx. USD$4), foreign child CLP$3000 (approx. US$6), disabled child free, and Chilean adult over 60 years of age CLP$2000 (approx. USD$4).
• Low season: Chilean adult CLP$2000 (approx. US$4), non-Chilean adult (including older non-Chileans) CLP$6000 (approx. US$12), disabled adult CLP$1000 (approx. USD$2), Chilean child under the age of 6 free, Chilean children between 6 and 18 years of age CLP$1000 (approx. USD$2), foreign child CLP$1500 (approx. US$3), disabled child free, and Chilean adult over 60 years of age CLP$1000 (approx. USD$2).

High season is from November to March and low season is from April to October.

Accommodation / Facilities

The Parque Nacional Conguillío offers various areas where it is possible to camp, and these are currently run by the private company Sendas. There are also cabins in the park which are run by the same company.

There is a café and a small shop offering basic products (fresh bread, groceries, juice, wine and beer) on the main beach at Lake Conguillío. They are both open every day during high season.

There is also the option of staying in La Baita cabins outside the park. These are close to the southern entrance, at km18 on the road to Lake Verde. It also has a restaurant.

Recommendations

• Take enough water with you. There are points along the route where you can find drinking water but these are scarce.
• If you are visiting in summer, make sure to take your swimwear as you can bathe by Playa Linda after the trek. 

Gear

• Light walking boots
• Trekking poles (optional)

Schedule

1. Curacautín – Mirador Sierra Nevada – Curacautín