From the entrance to the Laguna El Laja National Park, the view is splendid. It is observed a short and narrow valley closed by a volcanic cork of 656 feet of height that dams the lagoon of the Laja (la Laguna del Laja). This one drains underground in the Jumps of the Chilcas and the Eddy (Los Saltos de las Chilcas y el Torbellino), giving origin to the Laja River (Rio Laja). In the bottom, it emphasizes the flat and arid mass of Antuco volcano (Volcán Antuco), of 9.793 feet of height, with it touched out cone. It is a beautiful spectacle to only 30 minutes of distance by foot. The National Park lagoon of the Laja (El Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja) deserves a day of halting at least.

The same way advances 13 feet until the foot of the volcanic cork, which it soon raises until the Ski Area of Antuco (Área de Esquí Antuco) that has personnel shelters, school of ski, two ferry cables of drag, leasing of equipment, cafeteria and the headquarter of The Angels Ski Club (Club de Esquí Los Angeles), with a lodging with two rooms and a restaurant. The Ski area is open all the year.

To the left, a regular way leads to ENDESA Port (Puerto ENDESA), where there is a natural throw away place for boats. Forwards, a section of 1.2 miles in regular state goes through the ski center of the University of Conception (Universidad de Concepción), that at the moment is not operative, to arrive soon at the Lagoon of the Laja (Laguna del Laja), with water of emerald green color, rocky edges of volcanic dreg, has many peninsulas and projections. In the shore of the front, and forests of mountain range cypress predominate, coigües, ñirre and lenga.

The way extends soon on volcanic ash and winds 13 miles next to the shore until The Mud (Los Barros), where there is an extraordinary view to the hanging ventisqueros of the Velluda Mountain Range (Sierra Velluda) and Antuco Volcano (Volcán Antuco).

In the limit of the Laguna El Laja National Park is a military post and an outpost of Customs Police officers who carries out the borderline control. Pichachén step (Paso Pichachén), schedules: summer, exit from Chile is from 8 AM until 20 hours; the entrance is from 8 until 20 hours, depending on the climatic conditions.

This new international route, opened in January of 1998, crosses Argentina through the Pichachén Step (Paso Pichachén). The distance between the Mud (Los Barros) and the borderline is of 15 miles. Later, it extends a route of 12 miles until the control of Gendarmerie, in Moncur, and of 31 miles until the Cholar, a small rural town with a hostel. The way is available from October to May for transit of all type of vehicles. This step was used in the past for the pehuenches natives. In summer there is no snow and the temperature at night does not lower of ten degrees.

Flora of the National Park Lagoon of the Laja
(Flora del Parque Nacional del Salto del Laja)

Some of the most representative species of the Laguna El Laja National Park are: cypress of the mountain range and araucaria, which are vulnerable to the extinction. In the Laguna El Laja National Park, these last ones correspond to their more northern distribution. It can also be observed species such as maitén of chubut, the dwarfed radal, all of them considered as rarest and cactaceous maihuenia, considered endemic of the Andean zone of this region.

Fauna of the National Park Lagoon of the Laja
(Fauna del Parque Nacional de la Laguna del Laja)

In the National Park Lagoon of the Laja (Parque Nacional de la Laguna del Laja), the birds constitute the main population of existing fauna in the park, with 47 species among which we can mention small birds, ducks, rapaces and owls. Of special interest are the bandurria and the condor, considered as vulnerable to the extinction. It is also possible to observe the mountain range perdicita and the Andean gull, classified as rare.
The population of mammals is limited, standing out vizcacha; other species are puma, the foxes culpeo and chinchilla.

Sites of greater scenic beauty in the National Park Lagoon of the Laja
(Sitios de mayor belleza escénica en el Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja)

Jumps of the Chilcas and the Eddy
(Saltos de las Chilcas y del Torbellino).


Antuco volcano and lagoon of the Laja (Volcán Antuco y Laguna del Laja): they constitute a set of great beauty. There are in the North side of the volcano ski fields.

Velluda Mountain Range (Sierra Velluda): it impresses by the majesty of its peaks and ventisqueros, and you can accede to them through excursion footpaths. From the top, you can obtain a magnificent view of the valley, the river and the Laja Lake (Lago Laja).

The Coigües (Los Coigues): located in the Chanay sector, it presents a natural viewpoint of Antuco volcano.

Camping (Campismo): In the area of Development Lagunillas, 1.2 miles from the entrance to the Laguna El Laja National Park. This camping consists of 20 sites with electrical light, each one with furnace, table, bench for 8 people, trash can, potable water, two sanitary cabins with baths and showers with hot water and laundry room. There are two wells for swimming as well.

Trekking: Footpaths of Excursion

1 Footpath the Pangues-Plateau the Foxes (Los Pangues-Meseta Los Zorros)
Route of 4 hours. You can observe flora, fauna, the Velluda Mountain range (la Sierra Velluda) and the valley of the Laja River (valle del Rio Laja).
.

2 Footpath Endesa Salto - Parking the Chilcas (Endesa Salto – Estacionamiento Las Chilcas)
Route of 2 hours 30 minutes. You can observe flora and fauna, volcano logic phenomena and the birth of the Laja River (Rio Laja).

3 Footpath Parking ENDESA-River Laja (Estacionamiento ENDESA - Río Laja)
Route of 3 hours 30 minutes. You can observe the flora and fauna, geologic phenomena and the Laja River.

4 Footpath Environmental Information center the Coigues
(Centro de Información Ambiental- Los Coigues)
Route of 2 hours 30 minutes. You can observe the Flora and Fauna, geologic observation and the Antuco volcano (Volcán Antuco).

5 Footpath Office of Park Keepers Chacay-Plateau the Foxes
(Sendero Oficina de Guardaparques Chacay-Meseta Los Zorros)
Route of 4 hours. The attractiveness is the flora and fauna, the Velluda Mountain range (Sierra Velluda) and the valley of the Laja River (Valle del Rio del Laja).

6 Footpath Office Guardarque Chacay-Las Araucarias
(Oficina Guardarque Chacay-Las Araucarias)
Route of 6 hours. You can observe the Flora and Fauna, Volcano logics and geologic phenomena, Velluda Mountain range (Sierra Velluda) and valley of the Laja River (Valle del Rio Laja).

7 Footpath Office of Park Keeper Velluda Chacay-Mountain range
(Oficina de Guardaparque Chacay-Sierra Velluda)
Route of 8 hours. The attractiveness is the flora and fauna, geologic phenomena, one ventisquero and the valley of the Laja River (Valle del Rio Laja).

Fishing (Pesca): in the sectors the Pangües - Lagunillas and Fields of Ski - Lagoon of the Laja.

Swimming (Natación): in the sector the Pangües - Lagunillas

Ski: in the Area of Antuco Ski, to 4.593 feet of height, in slopes of Antuco volcano. It has personnel shelters, school of ski, three ferry cables of drag, leasing of equipment, cafeteria and the headquarter of the Ski Club of The Angels (Los Angeles), with a lodging (two rooms) and an open restaurant the entire year.

Climbing (Escalamiento): in the sector Fields of Ski - Lagoon of the Laja (Laguna del Laja).

Observation of flora and fauna (Observación de flora y fauna): in all the sectors of the park.

Strolls in boat (Paseos en bote): in the sector Fields of Ski - Lagoon of the Laja.

Kayak: in the Laja River (Rio Laja) (class V).

Routes of access (Vías de acceso)

The access to the Laguna El Laja National Park constitutes the way The Angels (Los Angeles) - Antuco- Lagoon of the Laja (Laguna del Laja), Route of 57 miles, of which 39 miles are paved and the rest is of debris. Passable all the year; it is recommended to carry chains in winter by possible snowed.

Administration of the area (Administración del Área)

The Laguna El Laja National Park is in the Chacay sector, to 2.4 miles from the entrance of the park and to 7 miles of the town of Fan (Poblado Abanico).

Office of parks keepers (Oficina de guardaparques)

House of Control the Pangues (Caseta de Control los Pangues): it is 328 feet from the entrance to the park, next to the way. In it, it is made the control of visitors and collection of the entrance fee. In addition, it offers information about the activities and sites of the area.

Office of parks keepers in ski field: it is next to the main way, 6 miles from the entrance of the park, in front of the mentioned fields on the hills of Antuco volcano (Volcán Antuco).

Environmental information center (Centro de Información Ambiental): It is located in the Chacay sector, 3 miles from the access to the park, entering 984 feet through a secondary way.

If you wish to explore, you can lower from the entrance of the National Park Lagoon of the Laja in mile zero, to the crossing Fan (Abanico) in mile 6 and take the paved way other 3 miles until the filled rubble crossing. You will find the barrier of Control of Customs officers. Ask for permission to visit the pisci culture of Polcura, because the way is controlled by ENDESA. You can visit it and take advantage of buying trouts. In mile 24, you will cross the agricultural town of Polcura. The way becomes winding, in regular state, to arrive to mile 29, to the Trupán lagoon (Laguna Trupán). It is an irrigation dam, with trees and a restaurant. That way passed the branch of the railroad that came from the station Aguila Mount (estación Monte Aguila), in the main network. Advancing on the route, you will find the town of Trupán, with one pretty seat and streets hoisted with acacias. Continue advancing through the way signalized towards Huépil. It is an agricultural town with streets shaded by Eastern bananas.

Whoever wants to visit the Jump of the Itata (Salto del Itata), located to 11 miles of the west of the locality of Yungay, it has a cascade of 246 feet of height, watching towards the bottom of cliffs, is appraised abundant vegetation with wild shrubs and flowers and has an area of picnic in summer season.

The jump, because of its height, it is known by being one of the most elevated of South America, according to some technicians, the driving force of its waters would be of 100,000 volts.

By the same course of the Itata river (Rio Itata) is the Small Jump of the Itata (Saltillo del Itata), in a beautiful place with natural lagoon formed in the place.

In addition, there are many trees, such as willows, poplars; there is also a zone of camping and picnic.

In the Itata River (Rio Itata), mainly in the jumps, there is abundant fishing of trouts, salmon and pejerrey, this same sector is apt for swimming, excursions and photographs.

Hydroelectric Power station Pangue (Central Hidroelectrica Pangue)

Pangue was inaugurated in March of 1997. The Hydroelectric power station Pangue is a dam located between the confluences of the Pangue and Huiri Huiri rivers (Rios Pangue y Huiri Huiri), of 450 megawatts of installed power, forms a dam of 500 hectares, 8 miles long and a wide average of 1.181 feet. This turns it in one of the more efficient power stations around the world as far as the relation between production of energy and flooded surface. As much Pangue, as the Ralco Power station, has generated a deep controversy between the environmentalist groups, Government and ENDESA.

The way follows through a deep valley covered with dense native vegetation, next to the artificial lake Pangue (lago Artificial Pangue), whose neighboring sites have been already divided to constructe particular houses and cabins of tourism.

After the artificial lake Pangue the cliffs of the turbulent river begin, that before the Ralco project was considered one of the world-wide landmarks of rafting. This sport had its precursors: formerly, the wood obtained in the inner was slope by the river, moored in form of rafts. It required a ferryman with one long pole as rudder to draw for the dangerous expresses.

Spas of Hazel (Termas el Avellano)

The Spas of the hazel (Termas El Avellano) are composed by three small wells of stone next to the river Bío Bío that are covered in winter; they have discreet facilities and a flat land to install carps. In this area pertaining to the community Quepuca Ralco, pehuenches families offer sites to encamp next to the river. The way follows by the skirts of Callaqui volcano (Volcano Callaqui), of 10.380 feet of altitude, that is the only summit of this area snow-covered throughout the year. Their slopes are covered with vegetation where it emphasizes the araucaria.

Hydroelectric Power station Ralco (Central Hidroeléctrica Ralco)

More ahead, is the hydroelectric power station Ralco Lake (central Hidroeléctrica Lago Ralco), the one that is a controversial enterprise project that would become the largest power station of dam of the country, with a power of almost 600 megawatts. The controversy arises since the reservoir will flood a part of the communities of Quepuca Ralco and Ralco Lepoy, which would force the transfer of some pehuenches families.

The same way advances 13 feet until the foot of the volcanic cork, which it soon raises until the Ski Area of Antuco (Área de Esquí Antuco) that has personnel shelters, school of ski, two ferry cables of drag, leasing of equipment, cafeteria and the headquarter of The Angels Ski Club (Club de Esquí Los Angeles), with a lodging with two rooms and a restaurant. The Ski area is open all the year.

To the left, a regular way leads to ENDESA Port (Puerto ENDESA), where there is a natural throw away place for boats. Forwards, a section of 1.2 miles in regular state goes through the ski center of the University of Conception (Universidad de Concepción), that at the moment is not operative, to arrive soon at the Lagoon of the Laja (Laguna del Laja), with water of emerald green color, rocky edges of volcanic dreg, has many peninsulas and projections. In the shore of the front, and forests of mountain range cypress predominate, coigües, ñirre and lenga.

The way extends soon on volcanic ash and winds 13 miles next to the shore until The Mud (Los Barros), where there is an extraordinary view to the hanging ventisqueros of the Velluda Mountain Range (Sierra Velluda) and Antuco Volcano (Volcán Antuco).

In the limit of the Laguna El Laja National Park is a military post and an outpost of Customs Police officers who carries out the borderline control. Pichachén step (Paso Pichachén), schedules: summer, exit from Chile is from 8 AM until 20 hours; the entrance is from 8 until 20 hours, depending on the climatic conditions.

This new international route, opened in January of 1998, crosses Argentina through the Pichachén Step (Paso Pichachén). The distance between the Mud (Los Barros) and the borderline is of 15 miles. Later, it extends a route of 12 miles until the control of Gendarmerie, in Moncur, and of 31 miles until the Cholar, a small rural town with a hostel. The way is available from October to May for transit of all type of vehicles. This step was used in the past for the pehuenches natives. In summer there is no snow and the temperature at night does not lower of ten degrees.

Flora of the National Park Lagoon of the Laja
(Flora del Parque Nacional del Salto del Laja)

Some of the most representative species of the Laguna El Laja National Park are: cypress of the mountain range and araucaria, which are vulnerable to the extinction. In the Laguna El Laja National Park, these last ones correspond to their more northern distribution. It can also be observed species such as maitén of chubut, the dwarfed radal, all of them considered as rarest and cactaceous maihuenia, considered endemic of the Andean zone of this region.

Fauna of the National Park Lagoon of the Laja
(Fauna del Parque Nacional de la Laguna del Laja)

In the National Park Lagoon of the Laja (Parque Nacional de la Laguna del Laja), the birds constitute the main population of existing fauna in the park, with 47 species among which we can mention small birds, ducks, rapaces and owls. Of special interest are the bandurria and the condor, considered as vulnerable to the extinction. It is also possible to observe the mountain range perdicita and the Andean gull, classified as rare.
The population of mammals is limited, standing out vizcacha; other species are puma, the foxes culpeo and chinchilla.

Sites of greater scenic beauty in the National Park Lagoon of the Laja
(Sitios de mayor belleza escénica en el Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja)

Jumps of the Chilcas and the Eddy
(Saltos de las Chilcas y del Torbellino).


Antuco volcano and lagoon of the Laja (Volcán Antuco y Laguna del Laja): they constitute a set of great beauty. There are in the North side of the volcano ski fields.

Velluda Mountain Range (Sierra Velluda): it impresses by the majesty of its peaks and ventisqueros, and you can accede to them through excursion footpaths. From the top, you can obtain a magnificent view of the valley, the river and the Laja Lake (Lago Laja).

The Coigües (Los Coigues): located in the Chanay sector, it presents a natural viewpoint of Antuco volcano.

Camping (Campismo): In the area of Development Lagunillas, 1.2 miles from the entrance to the Laguna El Laja National Park. This camping consists of 20 sites with electrical light, each one with furnace, table, bench for 8 people, trash can, potable water, two sanitary cabins with baths and showers with hot water and laundry room. There are two wells for swimming as well.

Trekking: Footpaths of Excursion

1 Footpath the Pangues-Plateau the Foxes (Los Pangues-Meseta Los Zorros)
Route of 4 hours. You can observe flora, fauna, the Velluda Mountain range (la Sierra Velluda) and the valley of the Laja River (valle del Rio Laja).
.

2 Footpath Endesa Salto - Parking the Chilcas (Endesa Salto – Estacionamiento Las Chilcas)
Route of 2 hours 30 minutes. You can observe flora and fauna, volcano logic phenomena and the birth of the Laja River (Rio Laja).

3 Footpath Parking ENDESA-River Laja (Estacionamiento ENDESA - Río Laja)
Route of 3 hours 30 minutes. You can observe the flora and fauna, geologic phenomena and the Laja River.

4 Footpath Environmental Information center the Coigues
(Centro de Información Ambiental- Los Coigues)
Route of 2 hours 30 minutes. You can observe the Flora and Fauna, geologic observation and the Antuco volcano (Volcán Antuco).

5 Footpath Office of Park Keepers Chacay-Plateau the Foxes
(Sendero Oficina de Guardaparques Chacay-Meseta Los Zorros)
Route of 4 hours. The attractiveness is the flora and fauna, the Velluda Mountain range (Sierra Velluda) and the valley of the Laja River (Valle del Rio del Laja).

6 Footpath Office Guardarque Chacay-Las Araucarias
(Oficina Guardarque Chacay-Las Araucarias)
Route of 6 hours. You can observe the Flora and Fauna, Volcano logics and geologic phenomena, Velluda Mountain range (Sierra Velluda) and valley of the Laja River (Valle del Rio Laja).

7 Footpath Office of Park Keeper Velluda Chacay-Mountain range
(Oficina de Guardaparque Chacay-Sierra Velluda)
Route of 8 hours. The attractiveness is the flora and fauna, geologic phenomena, one ventisquero and the valley of the Laja River (Valle del Rio Laja).

Fishing (Pesca): in the sectors the Pangües - Lagunillas and Fields of Ski - Lagoon of the Laja.

Swimming (Natación): in the sector the Pangües - Lagunillas

Ski: in the Area of Antuco Ski, to 4.593 feet of height, in slopes of Antuco volcano. It has personnel shelters, school of ski, three ferry cables of drag, leasing of equipment, cafeteria and the headquarter of the Ski Club of The Angels (Los Angeles), with a lodging (two rooms) and an open restaurant the entire year.

Climbing (Escalamiento): in the sector Fields of Ski - Lagoon of the Laja (Laguna del Laja).

Observation of flora and fauna (Observación de flora y fauna): in all the sectors of the park.

Strolls in boat (Paseos en bote): in the sector Fields of Ski - Lagoon of the Laja.

Kayak: in the Laja River (Rio Laja) (class V).

Routes of access (Vías de acceso)

The access to the Laguna El Laja National Park constitutes the way The Angels (Los Angeles) - Antuco- Lagoon of the Laja (Laguna del Laja), Route of 57 miles, of which 39 miles are paved and the rest is of debris. Passable all the year; it is recommended to carry chains in winter by possible snowed.

Administration of the area (Administración del Área)

The Laguna El Laja National Park is in the Chacay sector, to 2.4 miles from the entrance of the park and to 7 miles of the town of Fan (Poblado Abanico).

Office of parks keepers (Oficina de guardaparques)

House of Control the Pangues (Caseta de Control los Pangues): it is 328 feet from the entrance to the park, next to the way. In it, it is made the control of visitors and collection of the entrance fee. In addition, it offers information about the activities and sites of the area.

Office of parks keepers in ski field: it is next to the main way, 6 miles from the entrance of the park, in front of the mentioned fields on the hills of Antuco volcano (Volcán Antuco).

Environmental information center (Centro de Información Ambiental): It is located in the Chacay sector, 3 miles from the access to the park, entering 984 feet through a secondary way.

If you wish to explore, you can lower from the entrance of the National Park Lagoon of the Laja in mile zero, to the crossing Fan (Abanico) in mile 6 and take the paved way other 3 miles until the filled rubble crossing. You will find the barrier of Control of Customs officers. Ask for permission to visit the pisci culture of Polcura, because the way is controlled by ENDESA. You can visit it and take advantage of buying trouts. In mile 24, you will cross the agricultural town of Polcura. The way becomes winding, in regular state, to arrive to mile 29, to the Trupán lagoon (Laguna Trupán). It is an irrigation dam, with trees and a restaurant. That way passed the branch of the railroad that came from the station Aguila Mount (estación Monte Aguila), in the main network. Advancing on the route, you will find the town of Trupán, with one pretty seat and streets hoisted with acacias. Continue advancing through the way signalized towards Huépil. It is an agricultural town with streets shaded by Eastern bananas.

Whoever wants to visit the Jump of the Itata (Salto del Itata), located to 11 miles of the west of the locality of Yungay, it has a cascade of 246 feet of height, watching towards the bottom of cliffs, is appraised abundant vegetation with wild shrubs and flowers and has an area of picnic in summer season.

The jump, because of its height, it is known by being one of the most elevated of South America, according to some technicians, the driving force of its waters would be of 100,000 volts.

By the same course of the Itata river (Rio Itata) is the Small Jump of the Itata (Saltillo del Itata), in a beautiful place with natural lagoon formed in the place.

In addition, there are many trees, such as willows, poplars; there is also a zone of camping and picnic.

In the Itata River (Rio Itata), mainly in the jumps, there is abundant fishing of trouts, salmon and pejerrey, this same sector is apt for swimming, excursions and photographs.

Hydroelectric Power station Pangue (Central Hidroelectrica Pangue)

Pangue was inaugurated in March of 1997. The Hydroelectric power station Pangue is a dam located between the confluences of the Pangue and Huiri Huiri rivers (Rios Pangue y Huiri Huiri), of 450 megawatts of installed power, forms a dam of 500 hectares, 8 miles long and a wide average of 1.181 feet. This turns it in one of the more efficient power stations around the world as far as the relation between production of energy and flooded surface. As much Pangue, as the Ralco Power station, has generated a deep controversy between the environmentalist groups, Government and ENDESA.

The way follows through a deep valley covered with dense native vegetation, next to the artificial lake Pangue (lago Artificial Pangue), whose neighboring sites have been already divided to constructe particular houses and cabins of tourism.

After the artificial lake Pangue the cliffs of the turbulent river begin, that before the Ralco project was considered one of the world-wide landmarks of rafting. This sport had its precursors: formerly, the wood obtained in the inner was slope by the river, moored in form of rafts. It required a ferryman with one long pole as rudder to draw for the dangerous expresses.

Spas of Hazel (Termas el Avellano)

The Spas of the hazel (Termas El Avellano) are composed by three small wells of stone next to the river Bío Bío that are covered in winter; they have discreet facilities and a flat land to install carps. In this area pertaining to the community Quepuca Ralco, pehuenches families offer sites to encamp next to the river. The way follows by the skirts of Callaqui volcano (Volcano Callaqui), of 10.380 feet of altitude, that is the only summit of this area snow-covered throughout the year. Their slopes are covered with vegetation where it emphasizes the araucaria.

Hydroelectric Power station Ralco (Central Hidroeléctrica Ralco)

More ahead, is the hydroelectric power station Ralco Lake (central Hidroeléctrica Lago Ralco), the one that is a controversial enterprise project that would become the largest power station of dam of the country, with a power of almost 600 megawatts. The controversy arises since the reservoir will flood a part of the communities of Quepuca Ralco and Ralco Lepoy, which would force the transfer of some pehuenches families.