Laguna del Laja NP

Laguna del Laja National Park lies 93km to the east of the Chilean city of Los Angeles, in the northernmost reaches of the region of Araucania - the heartland of the resilient Mapuche Indians. The Mapuches are renowned historically for their successful resistant against the might of both the Inca and the Spanish Empires, and the area was not fully incorporated into Chile until as late as 1882.

Although condensed into just 100 square metres, Laguna del Laja is home to some spectacular, and varied, Andean scenery. Its centerpiece is Volcan Antuco, a classically shaped volcanic cone whose basalt lava flows have moulded the surrounding landscape: sterile black deserts stretching to the shores of Laguna de la Laja's projecting arms.

Walking here you have constant views across the Sierra Velluda to the southwest, a jagged, non-volcanic range draped in snow and ice which provides the perfect foil to the beautiful symmetry of Volcan Antuco.

The Volcan Antuco Circuit, the only multi-day walk in Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja, is a wonderful three day loop around the almost perfectly formed Volcan Antuco. Both big explosions and slow lava movements have shaped the landscape of its environs for thousands of years, creating the setting for a captivating trek through infertile volcanic surroundings.

On this walk, head first around the south side of the volcano, with extensive lava fields leading up to Antuco itself, before reaching the shores of Laguna de la Laja. Follow the lake edge from Los Barros as it curves back round to the west; hydroelectric development has to some extent ruined the lake?s natural beauty at its westernmost point, but this is more than made up for on a short side trip to the truly beautiful Salto las Chilcas and Salto Torbellino.

On your way into or out of the park, be sure not to miss out on a sight of these cascades, where water from the lake pours out from underground passages to form the source of the Laja river. The straightforward walk to these cascades is a stunning interlude.

An ascent to the rim of Volcan Antuco makes another, more challenging, side trip or can form a great day hike in itself. Panoramic views across to the ice-covered Sierra Velluda and down over the waters of Laguna de la Laja make steep walking across hard volcanic rock worthwhile.

Walking around and on Volcan Antuco can pose considerable risks, including glacial crevasses and snowstorms as well as high temperatures and limited water supplies. Check the weather, and come prepared.