Route: Villarrica Traverse (Chile)

Villarrica Traverse:

You want volcanos? This is the place.

AT A GLANCE

• jumping off point is Pucón, 780km south of Santiago

• Villarrica, still active, last erupted 1971, almost reaching town
• Lanín volcano is highest and most impressive of the group
• Traverse is 81km (challenging)
• non-stop views of a series of volcanos 
• lava fields and ash trails
• late December to March 
• recommended 5-6 days
• interesting birds, including large woodpeckers
• alpine lakes

Andrea Lopez posted the route:

We started in the Villarrica Ski Center (Pucón), following the Villarrica Traverse route with a view of three volcanoes: Villarrica, Quetrupillán and Lanín. Total distance is between 75-80 kms. There are no services along the route, and water is scarce in the first third. At the end, you arrive at the Camino Internacional Highway, where you need to make your way to Puesco, 3 kms away, to find public transportation to go back to Pucón.