Pucon's natural environment is its greatest asset. Take the time to explore the national parks and preserves in the area, and relax at the hot springs pools after a physically challenging day.

El Cani
El Cani is a natural preserve created to protect roughly 400 hectares of ancient araurcaria forest. Within the preserve, a steep hiking trail ascends for three hours toward Laguna Negra, a beautiful spot to stop for a picnic lunch or snack. On a clear day, an additional 40-minute hike to the lookout point provides stunning views of the area's volcanoes. All hikers must go with a guide and arrangements can be made at the park entrance or at Ecole Hostel in the town of Pucon.

Parque Nacional Villarrica
This park's 60.000 hectares of volcanic scenery includes the volcanoes Villarrica, Quetrupillan, and Lanin. A maze of hiking trails affords a variety of opportunities for exploration, for one or more days.

Most hikers will summit the Villarrica Volcano, a six-hour hike, with a guide. However, you're allowed to trek the physically (but not technically) demanding slope unguided if you can demonstrate to the park rangers that you have appropriate equipment. No matter how you get to the top, the rare sight of explosions of lava and release of clouds of sulfur gasses in the active crater will make you glad you pushed on.

Trails are closed when volcanic activity increases because the rumbling, steaming peak did spew lava during a major eruption in 1971.

Parque Nacional Huerquehue
This national park protects 12,500 hectares of beautiful forests, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and animals. Hikers can purchase a map of the area's trails at the entrance, or simply visit the Centro de Educacion e Interpretation Ambiental-the environmental education and interpretation center-for information on the area's vegetation and natural environment. You need a four-wheel drive vehicle to access the park outside the summer months.

Hot Springs
The Rio Liucura Valley, east of Pucon, is home to various hot springs pools. For a small fee, you can buy bragging rights to your day's adventures and share them with other travelers relaxing in the pools. Termas de Quimey-Co has a few walking trails and two steaming pools by the river. It's the closest to Pucon if it's proximity you're after.

Just outside Parque Nacional Huerquehue, the Termas de Huife Resort has three steaming hot springs pools beside a frigid mountain stream. The resort also offers spa treatments. You can visit the resort for a day or stay overnight at one of the luxurious cabins where you can fill your immense bathtub with hot water from the springs. If you don't have a car, take one of two shuttles per day that heads to Pucon.

Termas Los Pozones has the nicest pools in the area, and worth going the extra mile if you have access to a car. Changing rooms have ladders you can descend right into the water. With 6 stone pools of various temperatures, it's open 24 hours per day, and has a wonderful ambience at night when dim candles create a welcoming aura. Stays are limited to 3 hours, but that's more than enough time to unwind.

 Northern Patagonia

  Towns and Cities:
  Puerto Montt
    Puerto Montt Dining

  Pucon
    Highlights
    Sports Activities
    Lodging
    Dining
    Shopping

  Puerto Varas
  Validivia
  Temuco

  Highlights:
  Chiloe
  Frutillar
  Alerce Andino Park
  Laguna San Rafael
  Lake Crossing