Conguillío National Park, National park with ancient Araucaria forests in Araucanía Region, Chile
Conguillío National Park protects vast forests of Araucaria trees that can live over 1,000 years, their distinctive silhouettes standing out against the sky. In the valleys lies Conguillío Lake, surrounded by dark volcanic rock and bordered by beech forests.
The protected area was established in 1950 and initially covered a smaller section, gradually expanding to include neighboring volcanic landscapes. The Araucaria forests that define the area have served Pehuenche communities as a food source and important living space for centuries.
The name Conguillío originates from Mapudungún language, meaning water with pine kernels, reflecting the native Pehuenche people's connection to the land.
Several trails run through the area, from short walks along the lakeshore to longer routes that pass through lava tunnels and ancient forests. The best time to visit is between December and March, when trails are more snow-free and daylight hours are longer.
Lava flows from recent eruptions of Llaima Volcano buried forests and left black, jagged fields lying between green tree canopies. In some places, charred tree trunks emerge from the frozen streams like silent witnesses to the power of nature.
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