Huerquehue National Park protects 12,500 hectares of araucaria forests and mountain lakes in the municipalities of Pucón and Cunco, in Chile's La Araucanía region, and its best-known trail, Los Lagos, covers 10.8 kilometers in about 4 hours one way. A heads-up for this spring: Conaf reopened the park on August 12, 2026, but only up to the Los Lagos trail sector, and the Quinchol and San Sebastián trails remain closed until December 15, 2026, according to the park's official page, checked on October 28.
Huerquehue means "place of messengers" in Mapudungun. The park was created on June 9, 1967 and is part of the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO in 1983. In 2025 it received 45,270 visits, according to Conaf's visitation spreadsheet.
Huerquehue National Park trails
| Trail | Length | Time (one way) | Difficulty | Status as of Oct 28, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lagos | 10.8 km | 4 hours | Moderate | Open (authorized sector) |
| Integración | 340 m | 15 minutes | Easy | Ask at the ranger station |
| Ñirrico | 828 m | 30 minutes | Easy | Ask at the ranger station |
| Quinchol | 3 km | 2 hours | Moderate | Closed until Dec 15, 2026 |
| San Sebastián | 3.1 km | 2 hours | Hard | Closed until Dec 15, 2026 |
Source: Conaf, Huerquehue National Park page. There may be snow on the Los Lagos trail between June and September. Conaf asks visitors to wear hiking boots and waterproof clothing and to stay on the trails.
The Los Lagos trail, the park's great hike
The trail starts near Lake Tinquilco, at the park entrance, and climbs through native forest to a plateau with mountain lakes ringed by araucarias, such as Lake Chico, Lake Verde and Lake Toro. It is a full-day hike: allow about 8 hours round trip with breaks, start early and bring water and food, because there are no services up top.
- Elevation: the first section is the steepest; after that the path levels out between the lakes.
- Viewpoints: on the way up there are views of Lake Tinquilco and, on clear days, of the Villarrica volcano.
- Flora: according to Conaf, the differences in altitude mean araucaria, lenga and other temperate forest species grow side by side.
Do you have cabins or tours in Pucón and Caburgua? Reach travelers planning their visit to La Araucanía.
See advertising optionsHow to get to Huerquehue National Park
| Leg | Detail |
|---|---|
| From Temuco | 135 km, according to Conaf |
| From Pucón | Road to Caburgua, then the turnoff toward the village of Paillaco |
| Last stretch | 8 km of gravel |
| Only access road | Pucón-Caburgua road |
Source: Conaf. On the way from Pucón you will pass close to the Ojos del Caburgua, another classic outing in the area. If you are traveling without a car, there are buses and agencies in Pucón that go to the park; confirm schedules in advance. To plan your stay, see things to do in Pucón and our guide to climbing the Villarrica volcano.
Tickets, camping and when to visit Huerquehue National Park
- Tickets: Conaf refers visitors to Pases Parques for hours, conditions and ticket purchases. The park page does not publish the fee, so check there before you go.
- Camping: there are 22 tent sites with a cooking shelter, toilets and hot showers. They cannot be booked: they are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Facilities: picnic area, viewpoints, parking and an environmental information center.
- When to go: summer is high season (January had 7,686 visits in 2025, the busiest month). Quinchol and San Sebastián are scheduled to reopen from December 15.
- Not allowed: lighting fires or any heat source, leaving the trails and removing plants or animals. Take your trash back with you.
How many people visit the park and in which months
| Month (2025) | Visits |
|---|---|
| January | 7,686 |
| February | 7,188 |
| March | 4,692 |
| April | 3,371 |
| May | 2,288 |
| June | 1,620 |
| July | 3,338 |
| August | 2,466 |
| September | 2,248 |
| October | 2,212 |
| November | 3,905 |
| December | 4,256 |
| Total 2025 | 45,270 |
Source: Conaf, Protected Areas Visitation 2025. January and February account for a third of the year's visits. For comparison, nearby Conguillío received 135,139 visits and Malalcahuello National Reserve 318,939, the most visited in La Araucanía, according to our ranking of the most visited national park in each region.
If you like parks with araucarias, compare it with Conguillío and the Llaima volcano or plan a circuit along the Seven Lakes Route. And to unwind after hiking, see our guide to hot springs in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
Is Huerquehue National Park open?
Yes, since August 12, 2026, but only up to the Los Lagos trail sector. Quinchol and San Sebastián are closed until December 15, 2026, according to Conaf.
How long is the Los Lagos trail?
It is 10.8 km and Conaf estimates 4 hours one way. Round trip, it is a full-day hike.
Can you camp in Huerquehue?
Yes, at a 22-site campground assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, with no advance booking.
