Introduction

The Piedra del Águila rock is undoubtedly the best viewpoint in the whole Costa mountain range and probably one of the best in Chile. Located in the Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta, the only area outside of the Andes mountains where there are forests of Araucaria (Araucaria araucana), the Piedra del Águila is a large rock which stands overlooking the large forest of these hundred year old trees and offers extraordinary views of the Pacific Ocean and Isla Mocha on one side, and the volcanoes in the Andes on the other, including Nevados de Chillán, and then Antuco, Sierra Velluda, Callaqui, Tolhuaca, Lonquimay, Llaima, Lanín and finishing with Villarrica.

Of all the different options there are to explore this beautiful place, without a doubt this route is the best as you will have the chance to walk through a large forest of Coigües and Araucarias as well as see some of the native fauna that inhabit the region, especially noisy birds such as the hued-hued (pteroptochos tarnii) and the sneaky Darwin's fox (lycalopex fulvipes).

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. In the Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta you can find specimens of Araucaria that are over 2000 years old, making the trail to Piedra del Águila an excellent opportunity to see these ancient trees.

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

• It is worth staying for more than one day in the national park to enjoy the forest and visit some of the other beautiful routes in the area.
• You can find fresh drinking water along the route in some of the streams that the path crosses. 

Gear

• Walking boots
• Trekking poles (optional)

Schedule

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