Volcano Lonquimay
Volcano facts:
The Volcano Lonquimay, in the Araucanía region is number 8 on the list of the most active volcanos in Chile. In this list, 9 are located south of the capital, Santiago in the 8th, 9th and 10th regions. The Volcano is popular for trekking, climbing and skiing. It is a stratavolcano, with the classic conical form of strata volcanoes and a 700m wide crater. It is located 38°28’S – 71°35’W, with an altitude of 2.865 m.a.s.l..(9399ft). According to Sernageomin, the Volcano has registered eruptions in 1853, 1887-90, 1933, 1940 y 1988-90. The last eruption occurred on christmas day in 1988 and lasted two years, resulting in a new crater to the north-east of the Volcano. This crater is called Crater Navidad and makes for an interesting short hike
The Summit climb
Spring & winter
The summit climb is popular with advanced level skiers who enjoy the 1500m long downhill from the summit. The climb may be achieved in around 5 hours, sometimes requiring crampons. The highest Corralco chairlift shortens the climb substantially but may not be operational on the day/time that you wish to go. Always chjeck the weather forecast and notify CONAF at the entrance of the park with your intentions. Volcano Lonquimay is subject to strong winds and sudden weather changes and lives have been lost intenting to climb in inappropriate weather conditions. If you are not an advanced level skier or don´t have experience in mountain climbing but wish to reach the summit and have a good fitness level, professional guides are available to take you and they have any special equipment required.
Summer
Climbing to the summit in summer is around a 5 hour return trip. If you have a car, it is possible to drive up to the start of the Crater Navidad walk, park the car on the side of the road and then head south towards the cement housing of the highest chairlift. If you don´t have as car, then it is necessary to start walking from the park entrance or Hotel Corralco. from the cement housing of the highest chairlift, it is a steep, climb on scree slope with a steep drop-off to your left which causes some people to return for fear of heights. If you manage to dominate the fear and frsutration of the steep, gravelly climb, the views into the crater and for 360 degrees around across the Andes mountains and towards other volcanoes, is well worth it. The return can be very quick for the first part if you are prepared to run down the scree slope. If you are less brave, it can be a struggle to get down the first steep return to the chairlift housing. Taking walking poles or 1-2 makeshift bamboo poles (made from the local bamboo) are recommended. Within the Malalcahuello/Nalcas Reserve, Hotel Corralco is the only place to buy refreshments. It offers a 5 star restaurant and has a smaller bar/cafe. Walkers need to take water as there are no sources of water along the route.
Skiing Volcano Lonquimay
Ski centre Corralco is located on Volcanbo Lonquimay. It´s a fairly new ski centre which means that it often doesn´t have the same crowds as other centres. The busiest period is during the July school holidays. It has 29 ski runs and some 25km of prepared pistes with an 860m vertical drop. You can read more about the ski centre here: https://www.chilewild.com/es/esquiar/
Scenic drive Volcano Lonquimay
Volcano Lonquimay can be appreciated up close by people not able to climb and refined to the car. Two wheel drive vehicles may take the Troyo route within the Malalcahuello/Nalcas Reserve when there is no snow (Nov-June). With 4wd the options are greater for scenic drives around Malalcahuello, Volcano Lonquimay and Conguillio National Park. A round trip is possible from the park entrance to Troyo, the city of Lonquimay and return. The scenery is stunning within the Reserve, with small volcanic lakes, volcanoes, the Endangered Monkey Puzzle trees and alpine lunar landscape.
Getting there
Volcano Lonquimay is located 1.5 hours by car from teh north-south route 5 highway and a similar distance from airport Temuco. Public transport options include buses running from Temuco to within 8km from the Volcano (Erbuc,BioBio, Igillaima). From the turnoff on route 181, it is necessary to walk or hitch-hike. It is not difficult to hitch-hike to the park, however, it is not an activity that can be recommended as in Chile it is occasionally dangerous. From Argentina, it is possible to arrive at the Volcano vía the Fronteir crossing Pino Hachado which is 1.5 hours by car. The closest town to the Volcano is Malalcahuello (10km) and there are various cafes and restaurants between Malalcahuello and Volcano Lonquimay. Curacautín is the closest city, approximately 45km from the Volcano.
