Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, Protected biological reserve in Panguipulli, Chile
Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve is a protected area of rainforest, mountains, and volcanoes in the southern Chilean Cordillera. The terrain holds cold lakes, rivers winding through dense green growth, and waterfalls dropping between ferns and old-growth trees.
A private investor founded the reserve in the late 1990s to protect the forest area after decades of logging activity. The official foundation started in the early 2000s to support conservation and research.
Local guides speak about the connection between the forests and the Mapuche communities who have lived in this region for centuries. Visitors see today how indigenous plant names and traditional paths through the reserve remain part of the landscape.
Several walking paths lead through different parts of the protected area, with some routes easily accessible and others requiring several hours. Warm, waterproof clothing is advisable since rain is common in this area throughout the year.
Hikers sometimes encounter pudus, deer standing only around 16 inches (40 centimeters) tall that hide among the ferns. The protected area also holds more fern species than any other mainland site in Chile.
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