Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, Mountain range in Bio-Bio and Araucania Regions, Chile.
The Cordillera de Nahuelbuta is a mountain range along the Pacific coast in the Bio-Bio and Araucania Regions, running like a natural barrier between coast and interior lands. Today it is covered with pine and eucalyptus plantations established in recent decades, reaching its highest point at around 1,565 meters.
The area was originally home to the Mapuche people for centuries before Spanish settlers arrived during the Arauco War. Colonizers established settlements to exploit gold deposits in the region, bringing major changes to the land and its inhabitants.
The name comes from the Mapudungun language, where 'nahuel' means jaguar and 'futa' means big. These words reflect the indigenous heritage that remains present in this territory today.
The best way to visit is through maintained trails and viewpoints like Piedra del Águila at about 1,460 meters elevation. Visit during drier months when paths are in good condition and visibility from higher points extends the furthest.
Ancient araucaria trees in the higher areas are remnants from before the plantations took over and now grow scattered among younger pine forests. These rare surviving stands show what the original forest of these mountains looked like before human transformation reshaped the landscape.
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