Santuario de la Naturaleza (english)
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Season
Can be done all year round but it's at it best in the winter months when there is snow or September and October, when the slopes are green and the waterfall is at it's fullest.
Access
By Car or Bike
Drive to the end of Avenue Las Condes to Plaza San Enrique. Here take a right on Camino Pastor Fernandez and then a sharp left where a sign points to the sanctuary.
By Public transport
There's a collective that runs from the Plaza to the beginning of the dirt road that leads into the park. From there it's a short walk to the park walk. Apparently this costs about $1300, alternatively due to the lack of a bus service hitch hiking on the road is very common.
Route description
From the entrance of the Nature Sanctuary, continue driving along the road for 1.05 miles until you reach a fork. Turning to the right there is a car park. Cross the river and head up a path bearing left past the barbecues. Keeping the main river on your left the path rises and then falls to cross a stream. Following the path beyond this you will reach a small hut and swimming pool Cal Spas, which have tepid 20 º C water all year round which can rise to between 30 º C and 42 º C in the hot summer months. Depending on the season, it might be necessary to remove your shoes to cross the creek. From that point, the path is very clear to the end, always on the right side of the river. The trail weaves it's way through the valley with Nevado de Los Angeles (3623 m) acting as an impressive backdrop.
After about 15 minutes you must pass through a gate in the fence, and another gate half hour after crossing a small stream that carries water only in winter and early spring. Shortly after this you reach an area of large pine trees, where there is a stone corral. Past the area of pines, there are two large circular corrals on the valley floor and a third gate. Then the trail crosses a second stream, with more water than the first where it is a good place to stock up. Then there is then a long stretch before you reach Salto de Soldado, an attractive waterfall in the spring months. The bottom of the falls is just off the trail but there's a very faint path off to the right that reaches it. From this point it takes about 20 minutes to the confluence of two rivers that feed into the single river the trail has been following, this marks the end of the trek.
Expected Time
- Trekking: In a normal pace, this trek should take about 3 to 4 hours from the parking lot to the end point. The return is not much quicker as little height is gained.
- Mountain Bike: About an hour and a half to the confluence, an hour back
Fees
- Are unusually steep. The Sanctuary is $2,500 person and then if the man who controls the baths is there it's another $1500 to trek on beyond. The baths are also pricey at $4000 a swim.
Variations
- There is also a path a on the left hand side of the river which avoids the crossing (and fee) at the baths but I would not recommend it as it gets precarious in places (and is impossible on a bike)
- You can continue up either of the rivers at the confluence but this is no highly recommended given the mining operations in the area.
Recommendations
- As mentioned above you can continue on from the end point but it is not highly recommended.
- The author of the Spanish article was not a great fan of this walk but I enjoyed it. The valley is little visited by hikers, close to the city and the waterfall is an attractive bonus, unfortunately the high fees and lack of public transport decrease its attractiveness. On a mountain bike it's a more attractive option.
Guided Trekking
It is possible to hire a trekking agency. Chile Off Track (tour operator) offers this tour with a bilingual guide. They pick you up at your hotel around 10.00, and provides snack package. For larger groups, they can organize a hearty BBQ! Chile Off Track also offers horseback riding tours through the Santiago´s rugged Cordillera, guided by local arrieros (cowboys). For more information and other tours visit www.chileofftrack.com or send an email to info@chileofftrack.com.
Waypoints in Google Earth
- Ruta del Estero array.
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