Blog 10: Seen, Volcanoes & Araucarias / Lakes, Volcanoes & Araucarias

The mostly very bad and narrow track - already borderline for our large camper - leads us to Parque Nacional Conguillio, where we find a nice, quiet and free overnight spot despite the extreme hustle and bustle during the day. The park offers the Araucarias - these endemic trees with extremely hard and sharp 'leaves' are under strict nature protection and are also the sacred trees of the Mapuche Indians.

We hike a bit on the 'Sierra Nevada Trail' until we reach the viewpoint 'Los Condores' - but apparently they are not on duty today - nobody is to be seen

Our next destination is the Lago and Volcano Villarica - beautiful views, but chaos all around like at Lake Wörthersee during peak season - we move on...

The road mostly is lousy and narrow - at the limit for our big rig. But we make it to Parque Nacional Conguillio - parking lot completely and chaotic crowded during the day, but a nice spot to stay overnight for us - free of charge. Beside the Volcano Llaima (last eruption in 2009) the strange looking and endemic trees, the Araucarias, are the highlights of this park. Their 'leaves' are very hard and sharp. Being the holy trees of the Mapuche Indians they are protected nowadays.

We do a little hike on the 'Sierra Nevada Trail' to the view point 'Los Condores' but not a single one can be seen, most probably off duty this day.

Next we are getting to Lago and Volcano Villarica - nice views, but crowds and traffic jam like peak season in any summer holiday spot.