Río Clarillo National Reserve, Nature reserve in Provincia de Cordillera, Chile
Río Clarillo National Reserve is a protected natural area in the Andean foothills near Santiago, encompassing diverse ecosystems across different elevations. The landscape shifts from riparian zones along the river to rocky slopes and mountain valleys as you move upward.
The area became a national reserve in 1982, ending decades of grazing and timber harvesting that had shaped the land. This transition allowed natural ecosystems to begin recovering and wildlife populations to reestablish themselves.
The reserve functions as an environmental education center, offering programs about Chilean native species and ecosystem preservation for local communities.
The reserve has marked walking paths and designated picnic areas scattered throughout for visitors to access different parts of the landscape. Plan for changing weather and varying trail difficulty depending on your chosen route and preferred elevation.
The river sustains populations of native catfish rarely seen in other protected areas of the region, making it a significant research site for biologists. These fish populations help scientists understand how water ecosystems recover when human pressure is removed.
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