Hikes and trees!

Pucón is a small city about mid way between the top and bottom of Chile (2,818 km from Arica at the northernborder with Peru) located in the Province of Cautín, Araucanía Region, 780 km to the south of Santiago. It is also one of the cities in the Chilean Lake District and where many backpackers, adventure travellers and outdoor lovers hit if they're looking to ascend the beautiful and impressive Volcán Villarrica, ride the Río Trancura rapids or hike in the remote forested corners of the nearby Parque Nacional Huerquehue or Parque Nacional Villarrica. Pucón gets particularly busy in January and February when us international travellers are joined by Chilean holidaymakers. On a clear day, you'll be greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of Volcán Villarrica smouldering in the distance. And for those with a bit of extra money to spend, evenings are generally spent eating, drinking and partying in the restaurants and bars, or soaking in one of the many surrounding thermal springs.

We hiked the Parque Nacional Villarrica one afternoon which we really enjoyed - the views, the ancient lava rocks, our constant skittering, green companions; the common painted smooth-throated lizard green - and it served as a good warmup to the very difficult San Sebastian hike in the Parque Nacional Huerquehue the next day. The flora and fauna, and the views on that hike were incredible, especially the ancient Araucaria trees, some of which are over 1,000 years old. It felt a bit like being in a Dr. Seuss story come alive, or being in the Labyrinth movie at times. It was a super hard hike made more so because at one point you're sure the end is just over the ridge, the last bit of mountain where you can see the light but no...it turned out that the last part, scrambling over rocks that made up part of the ridge at the very top was still to be conquered. But what a view!

There was a pretty lake with cool water once we got back down to soothe our weary feet.Read more