Huerquehue National Park: the Los Lagos trail among monkey puzzle trees

From Pucón, take the road toward Caburgua and, at around kilometre 20, turn off toward Paillaco and Lake Tinquilco. The last 8 kilometres are gravel and lead to the entrance of Huerquehue National Park, a protected area of about 12,500 hectares created in 1967 and managed by CONAF, Chile's national forest service. The name comes from Mapudungun and is usually translated as "place of messengers".

The Los Lagos trail is the park's classic hike. According to CONAF it is 10.8 kilometres long and takes about 4 hours one way, so plan on a full day. The first stretch climbs through dense forest of lenga, coigüe and mañío, and as you gain height the monkey puzzle trees, or araucarias, start to appear: they are the tree Huerquehue is known for. The park ranges from roughly 700 to 2,000 metres above sea level, and you can see that shift in the vegetation.

Up top, the trail strings together three lakes, revealed one at a time. Lago Chico comes first, ringed by trees with grassy shores. Next is Lago Toro, tucked between rock walls and forest, and then Lago Verde, which lives up to its name ("green lake") on sunny days. Along the way there are spots with views toward Villarrica volcano.

If you walk quietly you may spot birds such as the choroy parakeet, and the damp corners of the forest are home to Darwin's frog, one of the park's most remarkable species. The way back follows the same path, downhill, with Lake Tinquilco marking the end.

• Tour type: Hiking and sightseeing
• Difficulty level: Moderate (10.8 km one way, about 4 hours each way)
• Tip: Start early, bring water, food and warm layers, and check with CONAF on the park and trail conditions before you go: snow can build up between June and September.