Huemul Lagoon Trekking: discover a hallucinating landscape

Discover the Huemul Lagoon trekking, where you’ll go through hills and native forest until you reach this emerald color lagoon.

Located at the top of Las Cabras Hill, the Huemul Lagoon is one of the most famous destinations in the Ñuble Region and a must for adventure sports lovers.

It’s a 6 to 9 hour walk of medium difficulty, since it has slopes that will demand physical effort, but the reward is worth it: seeing the lagoon with your own eyes will be a beautiful memory forever.

Keep in mind that the best time to do this adventure is between December and April.

How do I get there?

First, arrive in Chillán, a city located 4 hours from Santiago and which can be reached by train or bus. You can also fly to Concepción and then travel for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

From Chillán, you’ll have to travel a little more than an hour to get to Las Trancas Valley. There you’ll have to mandatory register with Carabineros (Chilean Police) to do the Huemul Lagoon trekking.

Huemul Lagoon trekking

Photo: @pierre.riquelme

The most well-known path to Huemul Lagoon is the one that crosses the Shangri-la Refuge. It’s a beautiful trail that goes through native forest, a sandbank and even a river of lava. You’ll see fascinating birds such as black woodpeckers and eaglets, which is why this is a mandatory visit for birdwatching lovers.

From the Shangri-la Valley entry, you’ll walk a flat path to the Ecoparque. From there you’ll walk 3 km to the Shangri-la Refuge, where the trail is well-limited until reaching the Las Cabras Hill on the right side. There you’ll have to climb for a little more than two hours to the lagoon.

We recommend the Ruta de los Caballos for your way back. It’s a longer but simpler path, which makes it ideal to descent. However, keep in mind that it crosses a river whose flow can only be crossed in summer.

What do I have to bring?

You must bring basic supplements such as food, water and proper clothing for the weather, as well as a first-aid kit and an extra battery for your phone. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen.

Photo: @momyjerez

Considerations and restrictions

You cannot swim in Huemul Lagoon and you cannot camp on the trek. Las Trancas Valley is an area full of cabins, inns and hotels for you to stay in and have a nice night.

Plan your trip with anticipation and check the weather to avoid unforeseen events. Don’t get off the main path, because a sense of direction gets difficult in some sections. For this reason, prefer a company with a Sernatur licensed guide.

Do not litter or start fires.  Responsible tourism is responsibility of all of us.