Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta, one of the most popular destinations in southern Chile, is situated in the highest part of the Nahuelbuta mountain range, within the Province of Malleco, Araucanía. A small section extends into the neighboring Biobío Region. Established in January 1939, it spans an area of 6,832 hectares.
Its notable features include a rich diversity of wildlife, particularly the extensive forests of Chilean Araucaria. Some specimens in the park are close to 2,000 years old, making them sacred trees and symbols of the Mapuche culture, the native people of this region.
Nahuelbuta, which translates to "Big Tiger" in Mapudungun, the ancestral Mapuche language, is one of those magical places that remain relatively untouched, with minimal impact and infrastructure. The park has several viewpoints, campsites and trails to explore, all located less than an hour from the city of Angol on an easily accessible gravel road. The park also serves as a research center for its diverse ecosystem.
Main features and places of interest in Nahuelbuta
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| Image: Corporacion Nacional Forestal Piedra del Aguila Viewpoint |
As for the climate, it is of the temperate - rainy type, with well-defined seasons and an average annual temperature of 13º C. With 6 rainy months and annual rainfall that varies between 1,000 and 1,500 mm. Frosts are frequent in the winter season, however the summer is dry and hot. It can be visited all year round, however the best months are from November to May of the following year.
The main trails to travel are Piedra del Aguila 4.5 km, El Aguilucho 1.8 km, Casa de Piedra 1.5 km, Cerro Anay .8 km, Estero Los Gringos 5 km. Nahuelbuta has a camping area, trails and information center.
A must-see in the park is a visit to Piedra del Águila, a viewpoint on a large rock that stands out from the forest of these ancient trees, allowing extraordinary 360º views. Toward the west lies the Pacific Ocean, and to the east, the volcanoes of the Andes mountain range in the distance.
Another attraction of the park is the viewpoint of Cerro Anay, which is accessed through a 5 km long path among abundant native vegetation. The round trip takes about 3 hours and is suitable for all types of visitors. From the height, you can see a large part of the National Park, including the volcanoes from Chillan to Villarrica in the south and all the valleys in between, such as Angol, Renaico, Nacimiento, and Mininco.
Regarding flora, this is the only area of the so-called Cordillera de la Costa where there is a greater concentration of Araucarias, some of which are almost 2,000 years old. In addition to Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio), Mañío (Podocarpus nubigenus), Oak, and Coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi), there is a great variety of orchids in the understory, along with two of the three insectivorous plants existing in Chile.
The fauna is represented by numerous species of native specimens, such as Darwin's Fox or Zorro Chilote, which exclusively inhabits the Nahuelbuta and Chiloe mountain ranges. Additionally, there are various bird species, including the Churrin (Scytalopus magellanicus), the Chucao (Scelorchilus rubecula), and the Black Woodpecker.
Activities: Apart from hiking and camping, visitors can also enjoy birdwatching, horseback riding, and mountain biking in the park.
Climate: The park features a temperate-rainy climate with well-defined seasons and an average annual temperature of 13º C. The optimal months to visit are from November to May of the following year.
How to Get There
Easily accessible during the summer, but four-wheel-drive vehicles are required the rest of the year.
The main access is from Angol to Vegas Blancas. From the west, access is from the town of Cañete via Butamalal - El Chacay - Cayucupil. From the north, access is from Angol on the way to Cotico. The nearest cities are Angol, Cañete, Los Angeles.
Contact Information
The administrative office is located in Pehuenco, 40 km. from Angol and 47 km from Cañete, and due to weather conditions it only works during the spring and summer season.E-mail parque.nahuelbuta@conaf.cl
Landline 56 228406845
Mobile +56 996436927
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