Any place with snow-capped volcanoes and emerald-green forests is sure to catch my attention, and Pucón, Chile, was no exception. I’d heard friends rave about Pucón and insist that I go, and finally, I had the chance. But as I came to realize, it was much more than just another destination in southern Chile to check off the list; it was an unforgettable experience that left me wanting more.
An Escape from Santiago
Just a short flight from Santiago will land you in Pucón, Chile. When I arrived there, I felt like I’d been waiting for that moment for months… and well, I had. I’d known that Pucón was a hot destination for nature lovers (me) for far too long; it was finally my turn to explore.
In order to get around easily, I decided to rent a car. And as I learned the hard way, the Pucón airport is closed during the off-season, so I arrived at the closest available airport, which was over an hour’s drive from Pucón. With my all-wheel-drive, I set out for Pucón, crossing over vast fields of nothing and circling Lake Villarrica before arriving at my apartment near the quaint and rustic-themed city center.
Volcán Villarrica
My priority in any given landscape is to get to the highest point ASAP, and that’s exactly what I did in Pucón. After carb-loading with paella the night before, I met my guide in the wee morning hours. I had wanted to climb this iconic Chilean volcano for quite some time, and the moment was finally here.
After a short 45-minute drive, we arrived at the snowy base. Volcán Villarrica was a sight to behold from below, but I was interested in getting to the top to see the volcanic activity up there. Yes, volcanic activity—it’s one of the most active volcanoes in Chile, and there are visible gas emissions coming out of it. As my guide explained, the last eruption in 2015 forced thousands to evacuate the region.
Climbing the volcano was straightforward for someone with prior experience, like me. We put on crampons, following the winding trail up a moderately sloped approach, and then zig-zagging up the steepest part. Those switchbacks were the most challenging part, aerobically speaking, but it was easy to fall into a rhythm with my guide.
When we arrived to the summit (really, the crater at the top), we were proud to be the first climbers on top that day. On my part, I was just happy to have clear views and not compete for photo space. Being up there, smelling sulfuric acid, snow crunching under my boots, with sweeping views of dozens of other nearby volcanoes, was worth the entire trip to Pucón.
Since Volcán Villarrica is active, I brought along a gas mask in case the fumes were too strong. I did end up putting it on because my throat started burning a little when we got closer to the crater for views and photos. Safe to say it was worth the carrying weight.
Restaurants, Shops, Cafes
After a 9-hour hiking day, I was ready to find something for dinner, and I couldn’t help but return to the Spanish restaurant for another helping. But in the city center, I noticed a wide variety of restaurants and bars, lots of Chilean and Italian food offerings.
I needed a couple of replacement gear items for trekking the next day, and luckily, I ran into not one but several outdoor stores. Andesgear, Patagonia, North Face, Volkanica, Columbia, you name it. It’s truly an outdoorsy town. Those shops in the city center all appeared modern yet with the same rustic style you’d expect in any mountain town.
Hiking in Huerquehue National Park
After a long drive from the city center and a fairly bumpy ride toward the end, I arrived at the Huerquehue National Park entrance. I’d already heard incredible things about the beauty of the park, and I was eager to do one of the most popular treks it has to offer.
I paid a friendly woman at a cafe (the only one around for miles) a little extra to park there. The other parking option was farther away from the entrance, and I opted to skip the simple walk down that dirt road. A couple of snack purchases later, and I was on my way.
The climate felt humid, but not drenched. It’d been raining earlier that morning and the day before, so my boots squelched over some muddy patches on the trail. I saw variations of trees and mushrooms that made me wish I had a guide with me just to explain all of the gorgeous vegetation. Around every corner, there was new green scenery to behold.
My chosen trail went straight out into the park, then looped around, touching three lakes at the end. At one of the lakes, Lago Turo, I stopped to eat my smashed ham-and-cheese sandwich and some of the Chilean-brand chocolate I’d brought along. Cradled by the mountains, with mist covering some of the deep green trees around the lake, I could easily see why Huerquehue was so highly recommended.
A Home Away from Home
Pucón felt homier than I could’ve ever expected. It was a mix of small-town charm, easy access to nature, and a wide array of places to eat and explore that made me feel so welcome and comfortable. I’d go back in a heartbeat. There’s so much more to explore: more trails, lake days, rafting, the list goes on. What would your first stop in Pucón be?
