Lebu

(Partiality – Parcialidad)

Lebu is a beautiful coastal city situated  404 miles from Santiago, Chile.It is the capital of the province of Arauco, Lebu counts on around 27,000 inhabitants. Its main activity is the coal mining, initiated in 1852 by Matías Rioseco Rivera and, later, re-established by Maximiliano Errázuriz and Jose T. Urmeneta. Today, the company is handled by ENACAR.

It was founded by Colonel Cornelio Saavedra the 8 of October of 1862, when a solemn ceremony was carried out of positioning of the first stone of “Fuerte Varas”, with the intention that on its environs raised a population that would attract the numerous pilgrims scattered in the Valley of the Lebu River (Valle del Rio Lebu).

In the locality of Lebu, you will be able to see the Cannons of Bronze, which measure 9 feet in length, with edgings, names and the shield of Spain on relief. They were melted in Lima in 1778 by the master Joanes Espinoza during government of the virrey Manuel de Amat and Jumiet. Declared National Historical Monument (Monumento Histórico Nacional), these cannons are installed on the city plaza. And further, by the Saavedra Street (Calle Saavedra), you will find the fluvial port, plenty of motorboats and fishing schooners. In the front is the artisan fishing port.

In the town of Lebu, enjoy a visit to the carboniferous industry Bocalebu, going through an old mining population. See the old wharf and the mouth of the Lebu River (Rio Lebu), where you will see the task of the “harvest” of coal, in which the miners gather the material dragged by the river from the natural mines.

From the La Cruz Hill, you can see panoramic view of the area.

In Lebu it is possible to practice varied activities, as body board and surf, in the area of the Lighthouse, Bocalebu; sport fishing, in Great beach (Playa Grande) or strolls in Motorboat going up to the river or to the mouth.

From Lebu, you can make a short stroll to the Millaneco beach (Playa Millaneco), where there is good hostel. Follow through the Ignacio Pinto Avenue and, in mile 1.8, make a left, which is signalized, towards Caves of the Bull (Cuevas del Toro). It is a full natural cavern plenty of ferns and lichens. Next to it, there are other caverns, excavated at the beginning of the century XX, one of which leads to a beautiful white sand beach.

From Lebu, by boat, you will be able to arrive at the Mocha Island, where around one thousand people live, that make a living of agriculture and fishing. Its perimeter can be crossed by horse. The Mocha Island (Isla Mocha) where abundant native flora grows on hills, is one of the few places all over the world where Fardela nests.

Nearby sites:

Leave Lebu (mile 62) remaking the road until the crossing (mile 80). From there, follow up to Cañete. In mile 86, it is the village of Antiguala, where Caupolicán was captured by Alonso de Reinoso, the 5 of November of 1558.

From here emerges a way to the left to the Hostería Caramavida, 3 miles of distance. With the garden of native plants, it is frequented by fishermen. The route continues through the Nahuelbuta National Park (Parque Nacional de Nahuelbuta). Created in 1939, this park locates in the middle of the mountain range of Nahuelbuta (Cordillera de Nahuelbuta), to the west of the city of Angol in the region of the Araucanía. The Nahuelbuta Mountain range has the necessary conditions so that the araucaria, tree that habitually is in the premountain range and mountain range of The Andes (Cordillera de Los Andes), can be developed near the coast, existing specimens whose age are calculated of 2 thousand years. In the Nahuelbuta National Park (Parque Nacional de Nahuelbuta), whose name in mapuche language means “large tiger”. In addition to the araucaria, are coigües, oaks, lengas and insectivorous plants. Among the birds and mammals that can be found emphasize foxes, black woodpecker, chucaos, and churrines.

In the Nahuelbuta National Park, the hills do not exceed the 5.249 feet above sea level, being the highest the one called Stone the Eagle (Piedra El Aguila), from which it is possible to observe the sea, the central valley and the Andean volcanos.

The Nahuelbuta National Park (Parque Nacional de Nahuelbuta) is equipped with camping sites and picnic areas as with footpaths for excursion.

Routes of Access to the Nahuelbuta National Park

From the city of Angol, through the way to White Fertile Valleys (Vegas Blancas). There are 21 miles and one hour of trip. It is rubble road on the first 13 miles, the rest is  dirt, open from the end of spring and summer; the rest of the year is only apt for vehicles of double traction (see the F category on our rent a car catalogue) with chains.

From the city of Cañete, Province of Arauco: 24 miles through the valley of Cayucupil, way to the Ranch “the Chacay”, 11 miles of debris way,  the journey takes one hour and a half .

From Antihuala (Province of Arauco), 37 miles through the way to the Ranch “The Chacay”, dirt road in all its extension; 2 hrs  trip.

There isn’t any direct locomotion to the Nahuelbuta National Park.

Administration of the Area (Administración del Área)

It is located in Pehuenco 24 miles of Angol and 29 miles of Cañete. The activities are interrupted during the period autumn – winter, due to climatic conditions. During the season spring – summer, the schedule of attention to visitors is from 18:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 20:00 hours.

Offices of Parks keepers in the Nahuelbuta National Park

The Inner doors

It is located in the east limit of the Nahuelbuta National Park (Parque Nacional de Nahuelbuta), 3 miles of the Administration and 21 miles of the city of Angol. The activities are not interrupted during the year and the schedule of attention to visitors is from 08:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 hrs.

Cotico:

It is located 7 miles of the Administration. The activities of public use are developed during summer period. It has the same schedule of attention to visitors than the Administration of the Nahuelbuta National Park .

Pichimahuel:

It is located 4 miles of the Administration and 29 miles of the city of Angol. It has the same schedule of public attention than the Administration of the Nahuelbuta National Park.

Areas of Camping in the Nahuelbuta National Park

Pehuenco: It is located immediate to the Administration. They are 11 sites that count on each of them with table – bench, furnace, water, 3 keys, 3 rustic laundries, 3 double hygienic services and parking. All delimited with rustic fences, natural shade and in good state. In addition, this area has a footpath of natural interpretation (self guidance with 12 stations), that is denominated: “the Tree” or “Repu-Aliwen”.

Coimallín: It is located 3 miles of the Administration, are 4 sites, with table, furnace, waste basket and water (without installation of keys and toilets).

Snacks Areas in the Nahuelbuta National Park

There is a snack area in Pehuenco that counts on a furnace, water, 7 chairs – table, without light, with parking, waste baskets with double compartments for recyclables and non recyclables elements.

Footpaths of Excursion in the Nahuelbuta National Park

Footpath of excursion Stone the Eagle

Extension: 2.7 miles.

Time of trip: 3 hours roundtrip.

Characteristics: Forests of ñirre, coigüe, oak, araucaria and lenga are crossed. It is born in Pehuenco (snack area) and concludes in the viewpoint of the same name. It is returned to the Administration by the return footpath. It is apt for all type of public without disability.

Footpath Anay Hill

Extension: 3 miles

Time of trip: 3 hours roundtrip.

Characteristics: It allows views of vegetarian communities and beautiful landscapes. It is apt for all public.

Footpath Arbol or Repu Aliwen

Extension: 2.296 feet

Time of trip: 50 min. roundtrip.

Characteristics: forests of coigüe, lenga and araucaria. It is apt for all type of public.

Footpath Matting Cabrería or Pehuenco

Extension: 3.280 feet

Time of trip: 1 hour, roundtrip.

Characteristics: It is born in Pehuenco and one goes through the shore of the Picoiquen River (Rio Picoiquen). Its objective is to develop works of interpretation with the children. A unit of millenarian Araucaria is visited 2.624 feet located in the visitors Center.

Other Services in the Nahuelbuta National Park:

During the period of summer are carried out activities of Education and Natural Interpretation, in the Environmental Information center, as well as in the excursion footpaths.

** Information related to Hours, Rates and Dates might change without any previous notice **