Altos de Lircay National Reserve - San Clemente

Altos de Lircay National Reserve is located in the mountains of San Clemente, in the Vilches Alto sector. Managed by CONAF, it covers more than 12,000 hectares and was created on June 11, 1996. The reserve offers mountaineering and hiking opportunities for different experience levels.

Its flora is highly diverse, especially on south-facing slopes. Species of the Nothofagus genus include huala, Santiago oak, coigüe, ñirre, raulí and lenga. The mountain cypress is another notable vulnerable species.

Mammals found in the reserve include pudú, puma, culpeo fox, South American gray fox, lesser grison, viscacha, colocolo cat, güiña, skunk, hare and rabbit.

Birdlife includes tricahue parrots, Chilean pigeons, doves, cachañas, peregrine falcons, condors, eagles, black-chested buzzard-eagles, hawks, great horned owls, Magellanic woodpeckers, Chilean flickers, hummingbirds, torrent ducks, southern lapwings, austral blackbirds and long-tailed meadowlarks.

Visitor information

The reserve is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entry for short trails and camping is generally from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; entry for long trails is from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Short trails include Aliwenmahuida, Cerro El Peine, Concones, Mirador Cerro Peine and Río Lircay. Longer routes include Enladrillado and Mirador Valle del Venado, Sendero Laguna El Alto and the Valle El Venado sector. Before visiting, check CONAF’s official information to confirm which trails are open.