The Sendero de Chile is a government initiative that promotes the knowledge of the country through fifty duly enabled paths, which have a map and access to heritage areas of unique attraction and value. It is a great route that allows to know the main national attractions.
Several National Parks, as well as other types of reserves, have trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Whether for experts or beginners, day hikes or more than a week, the trails represent an opportunity to get to know places in Chile that can only be reached on foot.
The following is a list of some places that have incredible trails. Many of them are in rural or completely wild areas that require the self-care of the athlete and the use of good shoes, sunscreen and non-perishable food. In this way, there is certainty that the experience will be, finally, a communion of life and nature.
In the V Region, the eight thousand hectares protected and converted into a National Park in 1967, were declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1987. They possess an enormous natural wealth in which converge the sclerophyllous forest composed of peumos, hawthorns and litres, among others, and an area in which the Chilean palm, Jubaea chilensis, develops, with more than 62 thousand specimens that provide a unique geographic frame in Chile. There are trekking trails, highlighting the one that joins, in six hours, the sector of Ocoa with Granizo, with great views of the valleys of the V region and the Andinista trail. It is an eight-hour round trip that ends at the top of La Campana hill, with an impressive view of the Andes and the Pacific.
Located in curve 15 of the road to Farellones, very close to Santiago, only 25 kilometers away, this mountainous landscape of 39 thousand hectares offers a two-day hike to the beautiful hanging glacier La Paloma. The landscapes of the mountain range and the permanent view of birdlife accompany the 15 kilometers one way.
It is located more than 3,000 meters above sea level in the commune of Lo Barnechea, in Santiago. Of the hills of the San Ramón range, which also includes the Tambor, Ramón and Punta de Damas hills, the Provincia is the most visited. Dry or arid terrain during most of the year, from its summit it is possible to see birds of prey and carrion-eating birds, such as the condor or the harrier. After a five or six hour hike, you can enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view of the Santiago basin.
Altos de Lircay National Reserve
Of special fame in the last time, this natural reserve is located in the Maulino foothills. It has several trails of varying difficulty, including the one that leads to the Enladrillado sector , the Mirador del Venado viewpoint or the Condor circuit. It is possible to do day hikes, but the amount of natural attractions in the area invite you to spend more days on the reserve's trails.
Very close to Pucón, in the Araucanía region and in the foothills of the Andes, is located one of the most famous national parks in this sector for its scenic beauty. It has viewpoints, internal lagoons and araucaria forests with a view of Lake Caburgua. With an extension of 12,500 hectares, it is a powerful attraction for trekking lovers with several trails, such as the Los Huerquenes trail, which is estimated to last three days.
This is a typical mountain trekking, with the use of ice axes and crampons. After five hours of ascent we reach the cone of the volcano, which is still active. The view from the top is unbeatable, you can appreciate the basins of the main lakes and the Lanin volcano. It is necessary to climb with a guide and the descent can be done by sitting on the snow and sliding quickly.
Jesuit Route
This is a route through the interior of a pristine valley about 70 kilometers long, linking the Reloncaví estuary with Lake Todos Los Santos. It reaches San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. The route follows part of what was the mythical Jesuit trail, discovered by the Jesuits themselves in the 18th century, while they were looking for a way to access the Nahuel-Huapi Lake area, beyond the Andes. There are superlative beauties such as Cayutué lagoon and the Tronador volcano.
Chiloé National Park
Chiloé National Park has an area of 43,057 hectares divided into three sectors. The first corresponds to the Chepu sector, with 7,800 hectares, the second to the Anay sector, with an area of 35,207 hectares, and the third is formed by the Metalqui islet, with 50 hectares. From the southern area there is a beautiful three-hour hike along the Anay beach. It is one of the few places to observe the Pacific Ocean and its fierceness, while the solitary beach borders a beautiful native forest.
Torres del Paine
It is the most famous site in Patagonia and year after year it seduces thousands of backpackers who go trekking and get in touch with the Patagonian nature in a profound way. Within the park there are several routes for all tastes, the best known being the W and the Macizo del Paine circuit, better known as O. Although both are considered difficult, the first has an estimated duration of four days, while the second lasts ten days. In spite of the difficulty, they are highly recommendable routes, since they offer incredible views of the intricate Paine mountain range formation and the majestic Southern Ice Field. Summer is the best time to start the journey and prior physical conditioning is recommended.
No less than the southernmost hike in the world, known as Dientes de Navarino, takes place on this island. With heights exceeding a thousand meters, the mountains of Navarino Island are a permanent presence and their formations resemble a jaw with snow gums. The hike has an estimated duration of five days, but it is necessary to be attentive to the changes in the weather that can lengthen the days.
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