Contulmo Natural Monument has a surface of 82 hectares and is guarded by CONAF. It counts on a house for a park keeper, a pedestrian footpath and areas of picnic. It has a Mediterranean climate which is modified by the low altitude of the sector having allowed the penetration of the marine influence and the originating humid winds of the west which they generate a considerable increase in precipitations in comparison with the adjacent sectors. It favors the natural conditions that have allowed the growth of a great variety of species, such as, olivillo, ulmo, tepa, tineo, bay tree and oaks, whose trunks are upholstered of epifitas plants, in special of ferns. You will see also dense underbrush of quila, murtas, ferns and copihues (National flower of Chile). Under this vegetal formation, different species take refuge, animals as puma, fox, monkey of the mount, pudú fío fío, hued hued, chucao, cachudito and zorzal. At the present time, it is only left this very small area of protected forest, that until recently covered the entire step. You can visit Contulmo Natural Monument from December until April from Mondays to Sundays between 8:30 until 20 hours. You can also visit the place between May until November from Mondays to Saturdays from 9 to 17:30 hours.

This area is denominated as Natural Monument, since its description is considered within the definition that is granted to it; this definition corresponds to: area generally reduced, characterized by the presence of native species of flora and fauna or by the existence of excellent geologic sites of the scenic, cultural or scientific point of view. Its objective is to preserve the natural, cultural and scenic atmosphere, and as far as that is compatible with it, to develop educative, recreational or investigation activities.

In the neighborhoods of Contulmo Natural Monument, in mile 125, you find the jump and the cascade Don Gollito, made up of a water jump of 72 feet of height and one cascade of 55 feet that are off-hooked on set of rocks. An impressive vegetation will accompany you throughout the passage in which you will be able to observe flora underbrush and native fauna.

Near is the town of Contulmo (Pueblo de Contulmo) that has around 2 thousand inhabitants. It was founded as a fort in 1868 by Cornelio Saavedra, in his passage towards Purén. He received in 1884 a group of craftsmen and agriculturists coming from Berlin, who gave impulse to the region, establishing the first German school that was in the country, in 1893. In the locality of Contulmo you will be able to cross the streets with typical German constructions. The seat is surrounded with enormous linden trees, cedars, ulmos and araucarias with signs indicating their names. In addition, there is a sculpture of the first Mayor and a reminder monolith of Governor Iriarte, who managed the coming of the German pilgrims to the region. There is also a peculiar central sink in form of Chilean shield, with a water supplier that comes out from the star.

In the locality of Contulmo is located the beautiful Lanalhue Lake (Lago Lanalhue), whose voice in mapudungun mean place of lost soul. This gorgeous lake of warm waters has a surface of 2,900 hectares, apt for swimming and nautical sports, with beautiful beaches, fish sport of trout and pejerrey; in addition, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful view of the swans of black neck. It is inserted in the heart of Mountain range of Nahuelbuta (Cordillera de Nahuelbuta); in the Lanalhue lake (lago Lanalhue) there are warm bays and beautiful places, such as White Beach (Playa Blanca) and the area of the Natri matting (estero Natri), both with zones of camping. From Licahue Wharf (Muelle Licahue) are made strolls in motorboat through the South area of the lake; and are also rented kayaks and windsurf.

The last week of January are carried out the Musical Weeks (Semanas Musicales) in the locality of Contulmo, among the musicians, it emphasizes the participation of the Orchestra of Children of Contulmo. In February, when there is Full Moon is celebrated the Night of the Moon, in which decorated and illuminated boats make a route in the lake to finish in a public celebration.

Short strolls from Contulmo (Paseos cortos desde Contulmo)

To Calm Beach (A playa tranquila)

It is a calm trip of 9 miles by the South shore of the Lanalhue Lake (Lago Lanalhue), to visit landmarks of interest as House and Gollmus Mill (Casa y Molino Gollmuss), located in mile 1.8, it is a big house of wood of 1923. It is preceded by big Brazilian araucarias, brought from the growing place The Orchard (El Vergel), in 1918. To the flank it has an artisan mill, founded in 1928, and its own hydroelectric station that gave light to the town. Visit its old machinery, with a system of steering wheel and wood transmission constructed in the place. The owner has a large collection of plants, with 23 varieties of copihues that bloom in March and April.

Contulmo Port (Puerto Contulmo)

It is located in mile 3; it is a pretty finishing point where the agricultural production was embarked in small steam boats that arrived to Peleco. From there, the load followed to the locality of Lebu by earth or by railroad. You will find a beach and cabins.

Calm Beach (Playa Tranquila)

It is located in mile 6, in a beautiful place where is located the Inn Calm Beach (Posada Playa Tranquila), open only in summer. It is a house of German style, surrounded with gardens. In addition, it offers onces (Tea time at the Chilean style) with kuchen (German pie) and homemade cureds meat. In the lake, you will see fishes crowding themselves to receive their food; you can arrive to this place by sealing, previous reserve, from Port Contulmo (Puerto Contulmo) or Licahue. More ahead, it is the Lincuyín beach (Playa Lincuyín), perfect for windsurf.

To Elicura Valley (A Valle Elicura)

Visit a mapuche community Villa Elicura, sector Calebu, 6 miles to the north of the town of Contulmo. In the place the Cultural Center Mapuche Cheinchin Che (Centro Cultural Mapuche Cheinchin che), maintains Ruka Lelbún. It is about a ruca (mapuche house) of 19 x 13 feet constructed and taken care of by a mapuche family that tells how is a mapuche family, the topics they talk about, culinary preparations, etc. In the interior of the house there is a furnace, objects of daily use, musical instruments, and palines to play crooked (chueca). On Saturdays at 18:30 hour, a special mapuche ceremony is carried out with typical meals.

To The Lleulleu Lake (Al Lago Lleulleu)

Just 13 miles from the town of Contulmo, it is the lake Lleu Lleu (Lago Lleu Lleu), considered the purest lake of Latin America. Its mapuche meaning is fruit of the oak. The lake has a surface of 4,300 hectares, is solitary, of steep edge and is divided in arms that go into small valleys, flooded in winter. It is very frequented by sportsmen of windsurf.

Here in the Lleulleu Lake (Lago Lleulleu), you will be able to revive the past in one of the more surprising lacustrine communes of Chile. You will be also able to enjoy next to the lakes, the unique experience to know the Rucas Mapuches (mapuche houses), the magnificent interiors of the Houses of the German Pilgrims, the old and world-wide known Grollmus Mill, or to know more about the history of the visit of a German Submarine damaged during World War II.

Tirua
(same level place - Emparejamiento)

The town of Tirúa has around 1,600 inhabitants. In this coastal area around 140 mapuche families are dedicated to the harvesting of cochayuyo (sea plant), denominated scientifically as Antarctica Durvillea, that is developed in the rocky fronts with the strong swell, being in the open only in the lowest tides. Between December and February, it is frequent to see carts loaded with large amount of tieds of the alga that is taken to Temuco for its sale.

In the environs of the locality of Tirúa, mapuches lafkenches communities have developed campings in 4 beaches: Ponotro, Bridge Earth (Puente Tierra), Comillahue and the Chucos. In addition to the facilities and services of camping, are offered programs of ethnic and ecotourism with local guides, who allow approaching the traditional culture lafkenche. It is also offered typical gastronomy and supplying of products of the area.

Through the town of Tirúa, it passed the only authorized way by mapuches, between Concepción and Valdivia, from century XVII until the conquest of the Araucanía, by the end of century XIX. The important local chief controlled the way through, receiving toll to the passers- who crossed the mountain range of the Coast by the passage of the Pine groves (Paso Los Pinares), among forests of araucarias, and later they lowered to Carahue or Trovolhue, to follow by the coast to Queule and Valdivia.

In 1787 bishop Marán of Concepción, crossed this way for an apostolic visit to Valdivia, but was taken prisoner by the chief of Tirúa. His life was disputed in a "game of crooked" between the locals and the tribe friend of the Curamilla chief, who won the game and he saved the bishop’s life.

In 1844 the scientist Ignacio Domeyko, at the request of the Government, made this trip to describe the reality of the Araucanía and its inhabitants.

Today, the Route of the Sea (Ruta del Mar), opened by the military engineers, with modern design, filled with good rubble, crosses last spurs of the mountain range of the coast, next to the sea, and lines up towards the south to arrive until Mehuín, in its present stage.

In the neighborhoods of Contulmo Natural Monument, in mile 125, you find the jump and the cascade Don Gollito, made up of a water jump of 72 feet of height and one cascade of 55 feet that are off-hooked on set of rocks. An impressive vegetation will accompany you throughout the passage in which you will be able to observe flora underbrush and native fauna.

Near is the town of Contulmo (Pueblo de Contulmo) that has around 2 thousand inhabitants. It was founded as a fort in 1868 by Cornelio Saavedra, in his passage towards Purén. He received in 1884 a group of craftsmen and agriculturists coming from Berlin, who gave impulse to the region, establishing the first German school that was in the country, in 1893. In the locality of Contulmo you will be able to cross the streets with typical German constructions. The seat is surrounded with enormous linden trees, cedars, ulmos and araucarias with signs indicating their names. In addition, there is a sculpture of the first Mayor and a reminder monolith of Governor Iriarte, who managed the coming of the German pilgrims to the region. There is also a peculiar central sink in form of Chilean shield, with a water supplier that comes out from the star.

In the locality of Contulmo is located the beautiful Lanalhue Lake (Lago Lanalhue), whose voice in mapudungun mean place of lost soul. This gorgeous lake of warm waters has a surface of 2,900 hectares, apt for swimming and nautical sports, with beautiful beaches, fish sport of trout and pejerrey; in addition, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful view of the swans of black neck. It is inserted in the heart of Mountain range of Nahuelbuta (Cordillera de Nahuelbuta); in the Lanalhue lake (lago Lanalhue) there are warm bays and beautiful places, such as White Beach (Playa Blanca) and the area of the Natri matting (estero Natri), both with zones of camping. From Licahue Wharf (Muelle Licahue) are made strolls in motorboat through the South area of the lake; and are also rented kayaks and windsurf.

The last week of January are carried out the Musical Weeks (Semanas Musicales) in the locality of Contulmo, among the musicians, it emphasizes the participation of the Orchestra of Children of Contulmo. In February, when there is Full Moon is celebrated the Night of the Moon, in which decorated and illuminated boats make a route in the lake to finish in a public celebration.

Short strolls from Contulmo (Paseos cortos desde Contulmo)

To Calm Beach (A playa tranquila)

It is a calm trip of 9 miles by the South shore of the Lanalhue Lake (Lago Lanalhue), to visit landmarks of interest as House and Gollmus Mill (Casa y Molino Gollmuss), located in mile 1.8, it is a big house of wood of 1923. It is preceded by big Brazilian araucarias, brought from the growing place The Orchard (El Vergel), in 1918. To the flank it has an artisan mill, founded in 1928, and its own hydroelectric station that gave light to the town. Visit its old machinery, with a system of steering wheel and wood transmission constructed in the place. The owner has a large collection of plants, with 23 varieties of copihues that bloom in March and April.

Contulmo Port (Puerto Contulmo)

It is located in mile 3; it is a pretty finishing point where the agricultural production was embarked in small steam boats that arrived to Peleco. From there, the load followed to the locality of Lebu by earth or by railroad. You will find a beach and cabins.

Calm Beach (Playa Tranquila)

It is located in mile 6, in a beautiful place where is located the Inn Calm Beach (Posada Playa Tranquila), open only in summer. It is a house of German style, surrounded with gardens. In addition, it offers onces (Tea time at the Chilean style) with kuchen (German pie) and homemade cureds meat. In the lake, you will see fishes crowding themselves to receive their food; you can arrive to this place by sealing, previous reserve, from Port Contulmo (Puerto Contulmo) or Licahue. More ahead, it is the Lincuyín beach (Playa Lincuyín), perfect for windsurf.

To Elicura Valley (A Valle Elicura)

Visit a mapuche community Villa Elicura, sector Calebu, 6 miles to the north of the town of Contulmo. In the place the Cultural Center Mapuche Cheinchin Che (Centro Cultural Mapuche Cheinchin che), maintains Ruka Lelbún. It is about a ruca (mapuche house) of 19 x 13 feet constructed and taken care of by a mapuche family that tells how is a mapuche family, the topics they talk about, culinary preparations, etc. In the interior of the house there is a furnace, objects of daily use, musical instruments, and palines to play crooked (chueca). On Saturdays at 18:30 hour, a special mapuche ceremony is carried out with typical meals.

To The Lleulleu Lake (Al Lago Lleulleu)

Just 13 miles from the town of Contulmo, it is the lake Lleu Lleu (Lago Lleu Lleu), considered the purest lake of Latin America. Its mapuche meaning is fruit of the oak. The lake has a surface of 4,300 hectares, is solitary, of steep edge and is divided in arms that go into small valleys, flooded in winter. It is very frequented by sportsmen of windsurf.

Here in the Lleulleu Lake (Lago Lleulleu), you will be able to revive the past in one of the more surprising lacustrine communes of Chile. You will be also able to enjoy next to the lakes, the unique experience to know the Rucas Mapuches (mapuche houses), the magnificent interiors of the Houses of the German Pilgrims, the old and world-wide known Grollmus Mill, or to know more about the history of the visit of a German Submarine damaged during World War II.

Tirua
(same level place - Emparejamiento)

The town of Tirúa has around 1,600 inhabitants. In this coastal area around 140 mapuche families are dedicated to the harvesting of cochayuyo (sea plant), denominated scientifically as Antarctica Durvillea, that is developed in the rocky fronts with the strong swell, being in the open only in the lowest tides. Between December and February, it is frequent to see carts loaded with large amount of tieds of the alga that is taken to Temuco for its sale.

In the environs of the locality of Tirúa, mapuches lafkenches communities have developed campings in 4 beaches: Ponotro, Bridge Earth (Puente Tierra), Comillahue and the Chucos. In addition to the facilities and services of camping, are offered programs of ethnic and ecotourism with local guides, who allow approaching the traditional culture lafkenche. It is also offered typical gastronomy and supplying of products of the area.

Through the town of Tirúa, it passed the only authorized way by mapuches, between Concepción and Valdivia, from century XVII until the conquest of the Araucanía, by the end of century XIX. The important local chief controlled the way through, receiving toll to the passers- who crossed the mountain range of the Coast by the passage of the Pine groves (Paso Los Pinares), among forests of araucarias, and later they lowered to Carahue or Trovolhue, to follow by the coast to Queule and Valdivia.

In 1787 bishop Marán of Concepción, crossed this way for an apostolic visit to Valdivia, but was taken prisoner by the chief of Tirúa. His life was disputed in a "game of crooked" between the locals and the tribe friend of the Curamilla chief, who won the game and he saved the bishop’s life.

In 1844 the scientist Ignacio Domeyko, at the request of the Government, made this trip to describe the reality of the Araucanía and its inhabitants.

Today, the Route of the Sea (Ruta del Mar), opened by the military engineers, with modern design, filled with good rubble, crosses last spurs of the mountain range of the coast, next to the sea, and lines up towards the south to arrive until Mehuín, in its present stage.