Summer in Malalcahuello

Summer in Malalcahuello – accommodation

The first thing to be clear about is that there are a lot of cabins and other forms of accommodation available for vacation rental in summer in Malalcahuello. The most plentiful option are cabins of varying price and quality. Other options include camping, hostels, lodges and hotels.

Summer  in Malalcahuello – weather

Being in the mountains, Malalcahuello experiences sometimes changeable weather and even in summer you may experience sub zero temperatures or even snow. in spring. Generally speaking the days are  long and warm, 20-30° C (86° F) . Usually a breeze arises in the afterrnoons which prevents the temperature from soaring too high.

Malalcahuello experiences snow until early October with an occasional dumping in November and even December.

Summer in Malalcahuello – Activities

By december the backcountry ski season has pretty much passed and the main activities are trekking. There are several volcanoes and summits to climb, all less than 3000m (984 feet). Local guides are available to hire to make your trip safer.

Another popular activity is cycling. There are two cycleways  that once were a railway line. Now they are two unconnected cycleways, separated by a tunnel that does not permit bicycles. The cycleway in   Malalcahuello is 19km while the cycleway going from the tunnel “de los Raices” to the city of Lonquimay is 19km one way.

Mountain bikes are permitted in the Malalcahuello National Reserve as long as you keep to designated tracks or roads.

A visit to one of the 4 thermal baths in the area is usually on the cards. On weekends it may be advisable to book your visit in advance but during the week you may be able to just turn up unannounced.

Nature based walks are possible, most of them fairly long with steep grades, although there are a couple of very short walks at the foot of Volcano Lonquimay. Conguillio National Park is a popular option with some flat walking and attractive lakes for swimming.

Car-based sightseeing is also a popular option with many options for spectacular views and interesting attractions. For more information see: https://www.chilewild.com/activities & https://www.malalcahuello.org/actividades/

Rafting and kayak tours can be undertaken in the Cautín river with easy grades making it a popular option for families with children. There´s always the hope of seeing a Pato cortacorriente (translated as something like cut the current duck).

Horse riding tours and indigenous cultural tours, with or without horses, are available and recommendable. Many Pewenche/Mapuche families supplement their subsistence living with tourism. Just remember not to buy the piñon cone heads offered by some unscrupulous roadside sellers who damage the trees in their attempts to maximise profits during the tourist season when the piñon pine cones are not ripe, selling them to unwitting tourists.