La Campana Mountain
and National Park (1.980 m. - 6.492 ft.)
Coastal Range
Darwin 's Botanical Garden from every perspective
Highlight
This national park, which contains a beautiful mountain that we will ascend, is the most representative of the rich flora and fauna in the Central zone of Chile. With its many endemic species and exuberant nature, it has been designated a Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO.
Besides ascending the mountain of La Campana and contemplating from its peak the width of Chile from the Andes to the Pacific, we will trek in the Ocoa area of the park, which protect thousand hectares of the famous Chilean Palms. This is the southernmost palm species of the world, and here is one of the few places were it still survives. This way we will enjoy the diversity of landscapes of this National Park, starting from a leafy and humid forest in the mountain area to a rocky and semi-arid in the palm area.
Description
Day 1: La Campana Mountain ascent
The ascent begins in the area of Granizo of La Campana National Park, at 400 m. (1.313 ft.) of altitude. We will enter a leafy forest of Boldos, Peumos, Lingues, and Canelos (native trees). Shortly after, the path narrows, and after a zigzag, it is possible to see the beautiful valley of Olmue.
After 2 hours of ascending, we will arrive at an old quartz mine that can be visited. Here we can find an esplanade, an excellent place to rest with a great view. We will continue going up through a forest of oak trees, until we reach the feet of the tower of granite that gives our mountain its name. During fall, the oaks dye themselves in beautiful colors. The path surrounds the tower, passing through the plaque of Darwin, which reminds the visit of this illustrious character to this place.
We will continue ascending through the middle of rocks up to the top, where it is possible to observe the width of this land. It is highly probable that we will be able to see native condors and foxes besides other species that are protected here. Once we've descended, we will camp in the area of Granizo.
Day 2: Trek in the Ocoa Palm area
Early the next day we will disarm camp and drive for 1 hour to the entrance of Ocoa. This area is found at the other side of the park and it is quite different from Granizo, prevailing a semi-arid biome and the presence of various cacti and rock formations.
Once we've started our trek we will be able to appreciate the interesting flora and fauna of this place, where we will see in no time the first Jubaea Chilensis, better known as Chilean Palms. There are more than 60.000 individuals of this species in this park. After 1 hour of walking we will be able to enjoy the grove of Ocoa where the Chilean Palms are concentrated. This area is surrounded with fickle rock formations. One might forget that we are not in the Jurassic period.
We will continue in a gentle ascent south, to arrive in an hour and a half to an interesting quartz mine, mineral that is plentiful in these lands and that was extracted in the past by artisanal miners. Here, we will have reached the highest altitude in this trek, and the view that we will have of the Ocoa area reaches its peak. We will rest here and watch the magnificent scenery before us.
In our return we will take an alternative route where we will be able to appreciate a beautiful landscape highlighted by a 30 meter waterfall and giant cacti called Quiscos. We will continue on our way back to where we started by going down elevated slopes from where we will have an impressive view of the beautiful Mountain La Campana, mountain that gives the park its name. Back at the park entrance, the ANDES TERRAE vehicle will be waiting for us, after 2 days of intense contact with this unique nature.
Time Required Vehicle: 1 hour and 40 minutes approx, from Escuela Militar to Granizo. The return trip from Ocoa to Escuela Militar takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. Walking: The first day takes 7-9 hours, considering the ascent and descent. The second day, the Ocoa trek takes 5-7 hours. Total: 2 entire days, starting early on the first day, and returning late afternoon on the second.
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Physical Difficulty Year round. The months of fall with its red oak trees, and winter when the Andes are covered with snow, are specially beautiful. Keep in mind This trekking will only take place if the weather forecast from the day before is adequate: Partly cloudy or better. See weather forecast
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