Cerro El Roble, Mountain summit in central Chile

Cerro El Roble is a summit in Chile's Coast Range, rising to about 2,200 meters above sea level, and sits relatively close to Santiago. It is one of the tallest points along this coastal chain, which runs parallel to the Andes further inland.

Much of the land around Cerro El Roble was incorporated into La Campana National Park in the late 1990s, not designated a natural monument. The mountain's south slope holds Caleu, a village inhabited by Picunches in pre-Hispanic times and later a stop on the Santiago–Valparaíso route, where gold mining was carried out during the colonial period. After the patriot victory at Maipú, some royalist troops took refuge there.

A research observatory sits at the top of Cerro El Roble, taking advantage of the clear skies above the coastal range. Visitors who reach the summit can see the observatory dome up close, which gives the place a dual character as both a natural and scientific destination.

Several trails lead to the summit, ranging from shorter paths to longer routes that take most of a day, so it is worth choosing one that matches your pace and fitness. Temperatures at this elevation drop quickly in the afternoon, and the wind can be strong near the top, so layered clothing is a good idea regardless of the season.

The summit observatory, built by the University of Chile in 1967, houses a 70 cm Maksutov telescope supplied by the Soviet Union and in operation since 1968. From this station, astronomers discovered asteroids named Colocolo, Caupolican, Galvarino and Guacolda, names taken from Mapuche leaders and figures.