Pucón has many hiking spots, big and small. My first hike there went up in the El Cañi sanctuary. It’s a private park with a lot of endangered araucaria or monkey puzzle trees. I got there with the first micro that left at 8.15am, to have plenty of time today. The park is also known for its steep initial section and this was my first proper mountain hike. The nice thing was that all the bus passengers started at the same time, so you weren’t completely alone.
We all got checked in and registered at the office closeby the bus stop. Every little group got a map full of information about the reserve. They had made signs with certain symbols in the forest, which corresponded to symbols on the map with more info. The first section then goes over a wide dirt road. For the first 20 minutes it was common to see cars, but after that it got really steep! There could still be 4 wheel drives that went up to higher properties, but I didn’t see any. That road had deep tire tracks and I wouldn’t want to have to drive it. Walking it was scary enough.
I shuffled up, keeping a rhythm with my hiking poles. Because it was so steep you had to take care not to slip over the fine sand or rocks. But time seemed to pass quickly and suddenly I reached the gate to the sanctuary. There was a dry toilet and a hut, but they were renovating it at the time. The path now changed completely. I followed a small trail through the forest and although still going up, it was less steep than before. Some of the trees were really tall and it was nice to walk in their shade. Birds were chirping in the background and there was a lot of rustling. There were dozens of lizards, who dashed off into the bushes as I approached. Occassionally there were also really beautiful flowers.
When I reached the forest with more monkey puzzle trees my map said it’s customary to ask the forest for permission to enter. So I did. I didn’t hear anything so took that as permission. But the trees did let me know they were there. Their needles were pretty sharp, so when you brushed past one, you definitely noticed. I completely missed the turn off for the lake loop and suddenly found myself on the once again steep trail to the mirador. It was fine apart from a small section. There was still a bit of snow and a lot of mud surrounding it. I struggled through it and got a glimpse of the lake views.
The real views were from the boulders on top though. Standing there I saw 3 volcanoes lined up in the distance. There was a forth one on the other side. I saw Pucón with its lake and the lake of Caburgua. I really was speechless. I hadn’t heard of this hike until it was recommended to me by someone from the region I met in Easter Island. It was worth every step! I got out my sandwich and enjoyed lunch with a view. Then I had a mini-photo shoot with some other hikers.
When I got back to the lakes below, I once again missed the turn for the lake loop. I went back and finally found it. It was were I met mother duck and her ducklings and I didn’t pass to give them space. But now they’d moved and I did the easy little loop, coming past a few different lakes of which one was called the lagoon of the sunken cow. It was pleasant and brought me to a good view of the cliffs where I believe the viewpoint was. Then I got the trail all the way back down again. I thanked the forest for sharing this splendour with me and keeping me safe on the walk. My knees were complaining when I got back to the bus stop, but at least I caught the 5pm bus back to town. It had been a great, but long day.
