Huerquehue NP

Huerquehue NP, just 35km from the popular tourist town of Pucon, lacks the desolate volcanic majesty of some of the other Araucanian national parks. However its picturesque lakes, rough highland slopes coated in atmospheric ancient rainforests and the distant views of impressive Volcan Villarica make for what is arguably some of the best walking in Chile.

The Araucaria tree, so symbolic of this area, grows in abundance here. Its distinctive shape rises high above the clear waters of the lakes, emphasizing the magnificence of Chile's national emblem and "living fossil". These trees are historically both an important food source and sacred to some Native American Mapuches and their long lifespan, thought to be up to 1,000 years, makes these a genuine piece of living history. Previously popular for wood, they are now actively protected in many areas, and in this endeavor parks such as Huerquehue are critical.

A trek, exploring the rainforest and glacial lakes of Huerquehue Plateau takes in the picturesque Lago El Toro, Lago Chico, Lago Huerquehue and Lago Verde: these can be enjoyed on a popular day walk (sometimes known as the "Sendero Los Lagos") or extended over a 3-4 day long return hike from the Guarderia Tinquilco to the hot springs of Termas de Rio Blanco. To relieve tired legs dip into Lago Tinquilco, warmed by the summer sun, or opt for a bathe in the Termas - the brave can break this up with a dash to the cold waters of the Rio Blanco.

The park's best panoramas are those seen from the outlooks of Cerro Quinchol and San Sebastian. Although the straightforward ascent to Cerro Quinchol can be fairly uninspiring, clambering up the forested slopes to the summit of San Sebastian, with its unfolding views across the Andean foothills and to distant volcanoes, has a prehistoric - even Jurassic -feel. Once at the top gaze down across Huerquehue's lush, dense rainforests and numerous lakes, to Volcan Villarica's textbook cone dominating the skyline in the southeast.

Huerquehue's proximity to Pucon makes it an easy trip for both locals and the many tourists who base themselves in this resort town. This does mean that, particularly in high season, the park can get quite busy. The day walk to the lakes is generally the busiest, so some may consider it worthwhile to spend time getting a little further away from the park entrance, by making this into a multi-day trek.