Monumento natural Contulmo, Protected natural area in Purén, Chile
Monumento natural Contulmo is a protected forest area on the western slopes of the Nahuelbuta mountain range covering 82 hectares. The landscape consists of deciduous forests and climbing plants situated between 175 and 500 meters in elevation.
The area was first established as a national park in 1941 and went through several status changes over the decades. It received its final designation as Monumento Natural Contulmo through a ministerial decree in 1992.
The place protects native Chilean forest ecosystems and serves as home to animals like pumas, pudus, and Darwin's frogs that are woven into the region's natural identity. These species represent what makes the Araucanía landscape distinctive to locals and visitors alike.
The area is accessible by paved roads from the nearby town of Purén and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Plan visits during dry weather since this location receives some of the highest rainfall in the region.
The site receives the highest rainfall levels in the Nahuelbuta mountain range with annual precipitation between 1,900 and 3,000 millimeters. This extreme moisture creates conditions that support an exceptional variety of ferns throughout the forest.
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