Today we head southeast in the direction of Huerquehue National Park, located at the foothills of the Andes, 35 km (22 mi) from Pucón. The park covers 12,500 hectares with various lagoons, dense vegetation and gigantic trees that are the habitat of several endemic birds. The hike starts easy but after a short distance the trail becomes rougher and sometimes steeper, but is still considered a relatively easy hiking level.
After walking 30 minutes at an easy pace, we’ll get to the Nido de Aguilas (nest of eagles) waterfall and then we’ll keep hiking on a steeper terrain, surrounded by gigantic coigües (Nothofagus dombeyi) and mañíos (Podocarpus nubigena). We arrive at the first lookout point where the views of Villarrica Volcano (2,847 m) (8541 ft) and Tinquilco Lake are absolutely stunning; here you’ll find great photo opportunities as well as chance to reenergize with a snack. We catch our breath again and resume the hike along the trail; now that we are over 1000 m (3000 ft) above sea level we begin to see the first araucarias (Araucaria araucana). Soon we will walk through a mixed forest with many of these trees, considered to be a national monument for their exceptional characteristics.
We will have hiked around 2½ hours when we arrive at the first lake called Chico (small), with its clear waters reflecting the image of hundreds of araucarias and snow-capped peaks. The trail gets more even and in only 15 minutes we arrive at Lago Toro (Bull Lake). Here we eat our well-deserved box lunch and spend some more time taking pictures or simply resting. Following the break, we keep going through an easy terrain and visit the third lake called Verde (green) which is the last attraction of our hike. Now we can commence a two-hour descent by the same trail to the parking area. Return to hotel and dinner in Pucon. Overnight in Vientos del Sur Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
Meals: B,L,D