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IX Region: National parks

CONGUILLÍO NATIONAL PARK

It is located at 25 km. north of Melipeuco. Its distinctive attractions are Llaima Volcano, where you can find a ski center, and the exuberant Cordillera landscape characterized by abundant vegetation, lakes and lagoons. There are camping areas. It belongs to Melipeuco and Vilcún Communities. You can get access to this place by:

1. - Cajón Road to Llaima Volcano (66 km.),

2. - Curacautín Road to Conguillío (42 km.),

3. - Melipeuco Road to Conguillío (25 km.).

It has a superficies of 60,832 hectares divided into two areas: a) Los Paraguas Area, which provides access by Cajón - Vilcún - Cherquenco to Llaima Volcano and to its ski center. b) Conguillío Area, which provides access by Curacautín or by Melipeuco to Conguillío Lake.

The climate is influenced by the mountain relief (high annual rainfall average). Due to the low temperatures present in winter, snow reaches 2 and 3 m. in some areas.

In summer, the temperature reaches an average of 15º C. The typical flora species of this Park are: oak trees, evergreen beeches, and vast araucaria forests, etc. Pumas, culpeo foxes, woodpeckers and psalmodies species are the typical fauna species of this zone.

It has a visitors center, and expeditions can be made through different paths.

NAHUELBUTA NATIONAL PARK

It is located at 35 km. west of Angol.

Araucaria is the predominant species of this place. This park has an information center, a small flora and fauna museum, and camping and picnic areas.

It was created on January 4, 1939. It is situated at the top Cordillera of the Coast, at about 950 and 1,565 m. above sea level approx. It has a superficies of 6,832 hectares. There is a road system of 30 km. for light weighted cars, and 15 km. of paths and viewpoints. Vegetation: araucaria, coigue, evergreen beech and ñirre woodlands.

Fauna: Puma, monito del monte, Chiloé fox, black woodpecker and others. It is important to mention Las Totoras, Las Turberas, La Piedra del Aguila, and other lagoons.

Admission is charged.

VILLARRICA NATIONAL PARK

It is located at 12 km. south of Pucón.

Some important places found here are Villarica Volcano and the Villarrica Ski Center. This Cordillera environment has an abundant and diverse flora and fauna.

This important natural area is under governmental protection. It has 65,400 hectares. Its relief is rugged and irregular, which is a consequence of the volcanic activity of the following volcanoes: Lanín (3,870 m.), Villarrica (2,840 m.) and Quetrupillán (2,382 m.). It has tablelands covered by woods that can be found until 1,500 m. high, and an abounding and diverse flora and fauna. Here you can find camping and picnic areas, hiking paths, and an information center.

Villarrica Volcano is one of the main attractions, because it has a ski center, a cafeteria. The Park reaches the communities of Villarrica, Pucón, Curarrehue and Panguipulli. It also includes Blanco, Azul, Abutardas, and Quillelhue Volcanoes, and Peinetas, Porúe, and Los Venados Hills.

TOLHUACA NATIONAL PARK

It is located at 45 km. north of Curacautín.

Its main attractions are its natural and exuberant landscape, and its flora and fauna. It has 5 paths for making expeditions, and camping and picnic areas.

It has a superficies of 6,378 hectares, and it comprises the communities of Curacautín and Collipulli. On its western limit, it reaches 700 m. above sea level, and on its eastern limit it reaches 1,821 m. above sea level. The whether is temperate, cold and humid, characterized by the absence of arid periods.

Flora: oak trees, coigues and araucarias.

Fauna: pumas, coypus, foxes, chillas (small foxes) and guiñas.

HUERQUEHUE NATIONAL PARK

It is located at 35 km. northeast of Pucón.

It is characterized by its rugged relief and for being situated in one of the more beautiful place of the Region. It has a superficies of 12,500 hectares and it is situated at 2,000 m. above sea level.

The climate is temperate-warm, with the presence of less than 4 dry months and polar temperatures due to the height. Rainy season lasts from May to September. Its annual rainfall average is 2,045 mm.

Condors, culpeo foxes, bufo frogs, Darwin frogs, chucaos, pumas, coypus, and guiñas are the typical fauna species found here. Araucaria, coigue, lenga, mañio, and tepas are the typical flora species found in the Park.

20 lagoons have been formed by its rugged relief, which are emptied by strings, rivers and streams that flow from the top of the mountains.

You can only visit this Park during summer. The observation of forests and Caburgua and Tinquilco Lakes is highly recommended, as well as sightseeing Villarrica, Quetrupillán, Lanín and Llaima Volcanoes. Here you can practice sport fishing, swimming, boat trips, mountain climbing and photographing.

You can also find camping and picnic areas on the banks of Tinquilco Lake.

There is an Environmental Information center.

MALALCAHUELLO NATIONAL RESERVATION

It is located at 38 km. east of Curacautín.

It has a superficies of 31,260 hectares. Lonquimay Volcano with its winter center constitute the main attractions.

It belongs to the communities of Lonquimay and Curacautín. Coigüe, evergreen beeches and araucarias are the main flora species found here. The typical fauna species are culpeo foxes, skunks, pudú and pumas.