Chile - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 434

Bike rental Sierra Nevada on O'Higgins 524a ( T 45
444210) rents mountain bikes in good condition. Full day
(9am-8pm) CH$7000; 5hr CH$5000.
Hospital Hospital San Francisco, Uruguay 325 ( T 45
441177).
Internet Cyber Unid@d on O'Higgins 415 has fast
and reliable connections (CH$250/10min; CH$700/hr).
There's also Cyber ZP (CH$200/15min, CH$700/1hr) on
Fresia just south of O'Higgins.
Laundry Lavandería Oasis on Lincoyán 272 (Mon-Sat
10.30am-1.30pm & 4-7pm); CH$3900 for 1-3kg. There's
an excellent bakery attached. Lavandería Magda on Brasil
420 offers similar rates.
Pharmacy Cruz Verde is at O'Higgins 400 (Mon-Fri
8.30am-10.30pm, Sat 9am-10.30pm, Sun 9.30am-10pm).
Post o ce Fresia 183 (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm & 2.30-6pm,
Sat 9am-2pm).

CH$2000; bicycles/individual CH$500),
is relatively easy to access via the
Caburgua bus from Pucón. There are
two privately managed viewing points
(both charge the same), but the second
is by far the best (get off the bus at
“El Cristo”, a statue of Christ on the
cross on the main road, and follow the
signs for around 2km; some buses may
take you to the entrance). The loop also
makes an excellent day-trip for bikers;
follow the road out of town towards
Caburgua, then take a left turn along the
dirt road by the “El Cristo” cross, 18km
away. The signposted dirt trail winds
along the Río Liucura, passing the falls,
before emerging at the Pasarela Quelhue
(hanging bridge) 8km later, and just 2km
from the paved road back to Pucón.

PARQUE NACIONAL VILLARRICA
he Volcán Villarrica (2847m) is the
crown jewel of the PARQUE NACIONAL
VILLARRICA (daily 8.30am-6pm;
CH$1000 entry; ascent CH$4000,
Villarrica traverse CH$8000; fees included
in guided hikes) and undoubtedly Pucón's
biggest attraction; in the winter it becomes
a ski and snowboard destination. To do the
climb, unless you have mountaineering
experience, you should go with a guide
(see p.436); they will provide all the
necessary equipment and transportation.
It's a fairly challenging four- to five-hour
ascent (plus 3hr down), starting at the
chairlift at the base of the volcano (at the
end of the road), with much of the walking
done on snow. If the chairlift (CH$7000)
is running, it cuts an hour off the climb.
At the top, by the lip of the (sometimes)
smoking crater, you'll be rewarded with
unparalleled views across the Lake District,
with lakes and distant volcanoes stretching
out before you. The sulphuric fumes mean
you cannot linger long over the spectacle
though. Check the weather forecast before
embarking on the climb, as many tour
companies take groups out even in cloudy
weather, only to turn back halfway.

PARQUE NACIONAL HUERQUEHUE
The compact but dazzling 125-square-
kilometre PARQUE NACIONAL
HUERQUEHUE (daily 8.30am-6pm, till
8pm high season; high season CH$4500,
low season CH$2000) comprises densely
forested precordillera (foothills), highland
araucaria groves, several waterfalls
and many entrancing lakes , making it
a perfect destination for day-hikes.
The prettiest of the lakes - Chico, Toro
and Verde - are accessed via the popular
Sendero Los Lagos trail, which climbs
steeply to a height of 1300m from the
park office at Lago Tinquilco, past two
waterfalls (14km return) - expect
sensational views back towards the Volcán
Villarrica on a clear day. You can extend
the loop by taking in the tiny Lago de los
Patos and Lago Huerquehue (2hr extra)
before rejoining the main path, or you
can continue along the Sendero Los
Huerquenes to Termas de San Sebastián
and the stunning Renahue viewpoint
overlooking the lakes below. It's possible
to hike to the Termas in one day (23km,
8-9hr), since much of the Sendero Los
Huerquenes is downhill, and stay at the
excellent campsite here (see below).
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus About 30km northeast of Pucón (and 14km off
the Caburgua highway via gravel road), Huerquehue is

4

OJOS DEL CABURGUA
he azure Ojos del Caburgua pool, fed by
several small but enchanting waterfalls
(Oct-March daily 8am-8pm; cars