Distance and duration:
There is the option to make the Small Circuit that visits the lakes Chico, Verde and Toro, or the Big Circuit which includes also the lagoons Los Patos and Huerquehue.
Small Circuit: From the CONAF control there are 12.9 kilometers up and back, 4½ o 6 hours. Starting point at 780 meters, maximum height 1.350 meters, total ascent 730 meters.
Big Circuit: 16.2 km up and back, 5½ to 8 hours. Starting point at 780 meters, maximum height 1.480 meters, total ascent 1080 meters.
If you drive until the beginning of the trail, you can take 3.6 kilometers and 40 to 50 minutes.

Physical demand:
Small Circuit: low to moderate, but you must not underestimate the 500 meters ascent to get to the first lake, but making the necessary pauses it can be a familiar excursion.
Big Circuit: moderate.

Orientation:
Easy, the trail is well marked with signs.

Best time to do it:
December to May. From June to November, it is not possible to make the Big Circuit that incudes the ponds Los Patos and Huerquehue. Although the park remains usually open all year round, after heavy snow fall, Conaf may restrict access and allow only to walh up to Nido de Águila waterfall.

Equipment:
We recommend trekking boots and hiking poles. There are some muddy parts after rain and ice melting. In the dry season it is enough with good sport shoes. Even though you could drink water from the lakes, it is better to take along enough water, since there are no rivers in the way uphill.

Entrance fee:
CONAF charges $ 3.700 to Chileans and $ 7.400 to foreigners.

From CONAF, only 300 meters ahead you have the option to take the Trail Ñirrico. Meanwhile the gravel road climbs to a certain height above the lake; the trail gets down and almost touches its waters. During the walk you will find five signs with information about the flora and fauna of the park. 800 meters ahead, the road and trail get together and cross several private properties that are located at the end of the lake. Then the road gets to a ford through the main water entrance to the Lake Tinquilco, which is also the outlet of the small lakes we are going to visit. If you are driving a car, it is better to park here, since the road ends shortly afterwards.
A fallen trunk serves as a pedestrian’s bridge over the river. To the left there is the nice Refugio Tinquilco Lodge which offers bed& breakfast. Here starts the trail marked “A los lagos” (To the lakes). The path climbs an old timber trail along the mountain slopes through a forest with giant coigües, mañíos and a lot of quila (bamboo). 30 minutes after the ford and after walking through a plateau, we cross a fence that indicates that we are entering again the National Park. Then we cross a small shelter from CONAF with potable water. Immediately afterwards there is a marked detour to see the waterfall Nido de Aguila (Eagle’s Nest).
Now starts the steepest part of the trail, going on zigzag and gaining quickly height. Almost all of the part uphill goes under the shadow of the forest; there are only two viewpoints to the Lake Tinquilco with the Villarrica Volcano at the bottom. There is another short detour to the waterfall Trufulco. After climbing about 1 to 1½ hours in all, we will see the first araucarias, and immediately we get to a small hill at a height of 1.250 meters. Now the trail gets downhill to the Lake Chico with its crystal clear waters and surrounded by impressive 500 to 1.000 years-old araucarias. After continuing along the lake, we get to a bifurcation: to the right there is shortly ahead the Lake Toro, but we suggest taking the trail to the left that, after a small climbing, will lead you in less than 10 minutes to the Lake Verde. Near its outlet there are good places for a picnic. There is a trail that continues along the lake to the left with nice views that ends at a shore point.
The main trail crosses the outlet of Lake Verde, continues through the other shore and soon gets uphill again. After 5 minutes we get to a bifurcation: here the Circuits Big and Small separate.

The trail to the right crosses a hill a will soon bring you to Lake Toro. When it comes together with another trail, you have to take again the one to the right to get in 15 minutes to the bifurcation at the end of Lake Chico and get back through the same trail we came from.

Guide:
You can hire an English or German speaking guide for this excursion for Ch$ 80.000 (US$ 100).

Transfers:
If you don't have your own transport, we can organize the transfer for you (please ask at least with one day in advance). These are the different options, all rates for the ride with up to 4 people:

Transfer to the trailhead	Ch$ 40.000
Dropping off and picking up (on the same day):	Ch$ 70.000
Transfers both ways, including bilingual guide on the hike:	Ch$ 100.000

For larger groups over 4 people, please ask for rates.
Note: The rates do not include possible entrance fees.

GPS Rental:
We can also rent you a GPS device with the uploaded track and waypoints you will need.
For detailled information>