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<!-- IF YOU COPY FROM THIS EDITING VIEW, YOU NEED TO USE THIS TEMPLATE (* TRANSFORMS INTO BULLET, ''' MAKE IT BOLD):*''' Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or <span style="background-color:aqua;">Packrafting </span> / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias'''--><nowiki>* '''</nowiki>'''Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or <span style="background-color:aqua;">Packrafting</span> / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias'''<nowiki>'''</nowiki>
=Overview=
==Season 2025/26==
*''' GPT04 | 2026-02--08 to 2026-02-13 | 5 days | hiking | NOBO | Route: RR + 03A + 03 + RR (+04C) | Chris & Lotte '''
==Season 2024/25==
* ''' 2024-JAN-12 to 2024-JAN- 14 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + Hiking Option Variant H / Elijah & Michael '''
Laguna del Encanto is 4,000 CPL and worth a visit. There is good water where the road transitions to trail at -34.80733, -70.76579.
Variant H is a pleasant, non-technical addition to the climb. We dropped directly from the ridge to Lake, Camp {04} (39.4/23.46).
South of the mountain, Cerro Zappallo, shady forests begin to take root for the first time heading SOBO.
The resupply in Los Queñes is rather good and sells Iso Butane Gas. Bus to Curicó leaves across the street (near the bridge) for 2,200 CLP, and returns from the Curicó central station. There appear to be several running times per day.
* ''' 2024-DEC-05 > 06 / 1,5 jours / Randonnée / SOBO / RR / Pierre-Marie '''
Etape : GPT04+GPT05+GPT06
| Meteo : soleil
| Eau : facile
| Neige : peu
| Intérêt : 3/5
| Difficulté : 2/5
| Danger : aucun
Au debut un garde (aucun justificatif) me demande 4000CLP. 2 jeunes chiens m'ont suivi les 4 premieres heures. J'ai dormi pres du second lac. A la fin un autre garde (aucun justificatif) me demande 7000CLP.
* '''2024-NOV-29 to 2024-NOV-30 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + OH (var. J) / Ivan, Jakub, Daniel'''
29/11
At approximately 8:00 AM, we reached a locked gate at the end of Agua Buena [-34.6569755, -70.8528045]. There were barking dogs tied nearby, but no people around, so we climbed over the gate. When the minor road ended, it became challenging bush bashing as the trail was heavily overgrown. Afterwards we reached a cherry orchards. Cherry harvesting was in progress, but nobody seemed to mind our presence. The gate near the settlement [11,4/647] was open. A bit further ahead, there is a small shop selling basic supplies [-34.7207306, -70.8309495].
At another settlement [-34.7737603, -70.7783622], we paid an entrance fee of 4000 CLP each to access Santuario de la Naturaleza Alto Huemul. Some beverages were also available for purchase there. We recommend taking a detour to Laguna del Encanto - a beautiful lake with a waterfall. It’s a great spot for a swim and it wasn't that bussy.
Following the RR trail, we ascended to a flat platform [-34.84218, -70.76672], which is a great spot for camping. The area offers space for several tents and a nice view, though there is no water source!
30/11
At the pass [37,1/2451], we encountered snow. We slid down the snowy sections to reach Laguna Fría. The sliding continued as we descended toward another lake. Lower in the valley, we opted for the OH-J[0.0+0.3] route.
We managed to cross all the streams without getting our feet wet except for two fords: [-34.98731, -70.75117] and [-34.98861, -70.75339]. Upon reaching Río Teno, we paid an entry fee of 7000 CLP each to access Parque Cuenca Andina, as we had entered the Maule region.
In Los Queñes, we were invited by locals and spent the night camping in their yard.
* '''2024-Nov-21 to 23 / 3 Days / SOBO / Lukas/Tabea/Basil'''
After Agua Bueno the trail is overgrown with a lot of thorny vegetation and not a lot of fun to walk. From "El Liano alto" we hitchhiked the arround 20km to avoid walking a day on the dusty road to Sierra Buena Vista Alto. From there it is a nice (Southbound) hike over the 2 Passes. There where some big Snowfields left. Most of them you can slide down southbound.
Shortly before "Las Quenes" we met a ranger and paid 12000 each.
* '''2024-Nov-18 to 2024-Nov-20 / 3 Days / Hiking / SOBO / RR and J / Karin'''
Camp: km30 (a bite downstream at the ford) / km44 (about 100m before ford)
I took the bus from Agua Buena to La Virgen (Puente Negro). From there I walked on the road to Las Peñas (about 4km).
At the entrance of the Reserva (about km20), a local opened me the gate and charged me 4000 pesos. Normaly he charges on top 2000 pesos for every night spent there, but as I explained him that I would only cross and not come back, he did not count the night.
The trail is easy to follow. Coming close to the pass km37 was a herd of sheep with there shepard dogs.
After the pass km37 and down to the Laguna Fria was snow. And again from the pass km38.8 to starting point of Gpt04-03 (about km40). Going down the snow is managable, but I would not want to walk these parts up. As the snow is on the slopes facing south and these are the one you walk down by going SOBO, I recommend to do this section only SOBO as long as there is snow.
In the valley after ford km44.9 are plenty of camp possibilities. Very nice walk in this forest.
As recommended by Sean and Neele, I took the variante J. The second part is a steep climb. The path is well visible and maintained. It looks like the locals are regularly using it. So if the Estero Los Pejerreyes cannot be forded or so, it is a good alternative.
There are construction works from the point the Estero Los Pejerreyes joins the Rio Teno. They build a huge dam all the way to the bridge (about half way to Los Queñes). You can walk on that dam.
In Los Queñes, I took the bus (in front of the bridge km60.9, at the corner of the street) to Curicó (about 1 hour for 2200 pesos). So I did not look for shops or accomodation.
* '''2024-Nov-10 to 2024-Nov-12 / 2.5 days / Hiking / RR + variant A + J / Sean & Neele'''
Buses from San Fernando only go as far as Puente Negro on a Sunday (1,000 CLP) (2,000 CLP to Las Peñas) started walking the road but someone offered us a ride to the Las Peñas junction.
Paid 4,000 entrance fee.
Camped just before Ford at 30.2
Water present at all makers plus even more due to snow melt.
Snow present after pass 36.8km to around 39km but was all manageable.
I wouldn't recommend camping at either lake (37.8 or 39.4km) at the moment as the ground is very wet from snow melt.
From the pass at 38.6km we followed the ridge to summit Cerro Zapallo (variant H). Just one short section of snow
Plenty of camping options down the valley after the water at 42.4km
Variant J to 53.8km was good trail, easy to follow and saved 2 river crossings.
Final river crossing at 54.4km (approx) was very strong and deep at 9am. We just managed it (1.75m and 1.6m). Consider taking variant J all the way if you arrive later in the day, or if you're on the shorter side. I suspect this crossing will get worse as the snow melts.
==Season 2023/24==
*Jan'''2024-01Feb-2024 01 to Jan2024-04Feb-2024 04 / 3.5 days / SOBO / RR-E-RR-I-RR / Matthias de Austria'''
I hitchhiked to Las Peñas in the late afternoon, shortly after on the street to the first Laguna a young friendly local couple picks me up, we drive to the Gate at -34.7739,-70.7782 they discuss with the lady, she lets them pass for free, but the gringo has to pay 4000. Got a piece of watermelon from her, at least.
In Los Queñes (little supermarket there, enough food) I tried to take the last bus to Curicó at 18:30 (as I read here) in front of the supermarket, but it already drove off at 18:10, leaving me, waiting for this bus at a little park next to it, behind. After 1 hour of hitchhiking attemps a very friendly couple takes me to Curicó even driving me directly to my Airbnb.
*'''Jan-10-2024 to Jan-12-2024 / 3 days / SOBO / variant A, RR, variant I / Matthieu'''
Nice section, the laguna fria zone is really beautiful, with all the remaining snowpatches.
No problems with dogs or private properties.
* '''2023-Dec-19 to 2023-Dec-21 / 3 days / SOBO / RR + Variant A+D+I + traverse of Cerro Capallo / Matthias'''
Road hiked variant A to avoid route finding around gates in the early morning.
km 30,2 near marked water (before the river to the right), km 42.7 (arriero camp, -34.91107 -70.72997, water and pool 20 hm down easy to reach)
*'''2023-Dec-15 to 2023-Dec-17 / 2.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / 04A-RR-04E-RR / Lilian'''
I go for {04-A}, resupply at Puente Negro, 3 small shops and 2 tiny shops there. (Agua Buena and Las Peñas also have some small shops, but they were all close when I was there. Maybe too early?)
{04-E} km8.85 : water flowing.
RR km33.4 : water flowing.
Look like some nice flat spot at first lake km37.7, second lake km39.3 and beside a stream km40, but they are wet and muddy now(sonw melting).
Km42.5 : camping spot with fire ring and log seats at down hill side.
I met a park ranger at the dirt road, he said he came to here for observation, maybe this area will be national park at the future.
A small shop in Los Queñes, super friendly.
* '''2023-Nov-24 to 2023-Nov-26 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Jens'''
The route over the hill of Aguas Buenas cannot be reached via the route marked on the map, as there is a gate in the way. Further to the west is another path, which at some point further up the hill meets up with the original path again. From there it is easy to reach the road to Las Penas.
* '''2023-Nov-24 to 2023-Nov-26 / 2,5 days / Hiking / SOBO / Variant A + RR / Yannick & Nolwenn '''
- Water : all markers are good and even more water present - snow from km 36,4 to km 40,5
==Season 2022/23==
* '''2023-Mar-08 to 2023-Mar-10 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Hannes & Luisa'''
We hitchhiked from Agua Buena to Las Peñas. Everything fine till -34.8001 -70.7687. There is a fenced cherry plantation with incorporated RR minor road for a few hundred meters. You can walk around on the left all along the fence and you get again to RR (or maybe take the OH where the fence starts?). Nice camp at the rio at -34.8398 -70.7613 way before the pass. There is still water going up to the pass. Last we found at -34.8576 -70.7593. Puesto with gate at -34.9740 -70.7455, nobody there. Nice camp at -34.9822 -70.7442, probably crowded on weekends and holidays...straight before we got out to the bridge close to Los Queñes another gate with supposed dogs behind, you can walk around this area left side moving down to the river. You will get out directly under the big bridge. In Los Queñes we stood for 15k each at the house of a señora who lives where is the feria de artesania, coming from the cordillera turn right after the Carabinero station and follow about 50m, turn right again, last house bottom left corner near river.
* '''2022-Dec-18 to 2022-Dec-21 / 4 days / Hiking / NOBO RR and SOBO Options / Tomáš'''
In the Termas, there was a camping at the end of the road that goes to the baths. 10000 per night. They had electricity, it went out for a few hours during evening but I charged everything. They also have wifi, slow but usable for audio calls. No cell service. The baths cost 6000 per entry (no re-entry). Hours are something like 8-12 and 1530-21. Longer on weekends. The shops that I have seen did not seem well stocked but there are lots of restaurants. From the camping ground, if you follow the water, there is a free hot creek with perfect temperature, about 30 metres far.
As for transport, I got a shared car for about 15000 (it is two hours ride) from San Fernando at 1530 on Friday after asking at the bus station. I do not think it goes every day. There are cars going in both directions in the valley, so hitchiking should work, but be prepared to wait. Due to me losing some stuff, I went back - twice I got a first car in five minutes, once eight cars passed and I only got a ride after two hours. Outside of the weekends, there is less traffic that goes all the way to the Termas. No cell reception in the valley until cca 10 km out of Puente Negro.
RR NOBO from Los Quenes is uneventful. The valley is quite beautiful with trees and lovely creek until about 1700, then the track (no snow now) was easy to follow but during midday rather dull including the lakes. It started to be pretty again at about the same height. Met a huge herd of goats with a silent ariero. I got over the same gate as Yannic and Mirjam, ate a few cherries from the new orchard (a few branches were overhanging the fence), then followed the MR without paying anything (I guess they meant the gate with the house and sign saying that some basic food is on sale about 3 km from the tarmac road) going NOBO. Once I reached the tarmac road, I started hitching (enough of cars), never making it to Aqua Buena and not meeting Pedro. Took me 46 hours.
* '''2022-Dec-08 to 2022-Dec-11 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Martin & Helena'''
We started in the afternoon at the property of José Pedro (see our comment from the last section) who showed us a little different way than the beginning of RR with saying the owners changed since the trail was established and it might be problematic to get on the trail through some gate? We are not sure bc we decided to follow Jose’s advices and didn’t even try to start on the RR. His way should be a little shorter and easier, its basically the same direction to the bridge as RR but more on the left side. You just aim at the highest mountain visible in that direction, half way on the hill, and always stay on a clear path - anything else got us off after all. We lost the path a few times and ended up close to the top of the hill from where we got clear view over the farms. You just need to get down and from there you actually connect to the RR. In one point you get to a natural “fence” made out of branches that goes around the farm and thats the only time when you should go into it, just for a short time.. then there is a short section through the cherry farm (sufficient hole in the fence) and after reaching one of the main gates which was opened its easy walking down the road to the bridge.. we met even some cars with workers and there were plenty of cherries everywhere in this time of the year. We crossed the bridge at night already and therefore had to camp close to the road to Las Peñas, but there are some cabanas to spend the night in.
Contact: @martin_hanzelka @helenneka
* '''2022-Nov-16 / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Yannic & Mirjam'''
After having a relaxing rest day at Pedro's, we set off for GPT04. Although Pedro explained the route in detail, we got confused in the terrain and ended up going into the plantation.
==Season 2021/22==
* '''2021-Nov-28 to 2021-Nov-30 / 2.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Kris&Stiina'''
We started from Agua Buena around noon and tried to follow Franks suggestion, but after a few hundred meters where the road turns left we encountered a gate with four angry dogs behind it, otherwise the gate would be climbable.
==Season 2019/20==
* '''2020-Jan-10 to 2020-Jan-12 / 2.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Frank'''
I thought it would be an easy hike from Agua Buena to Las Penas. It isn't. At Agua Buena 500M from start is a fruit farm with no entry sign. No one @ the gate & it was unlocked so I went in. Met the owner & he wasn't too happy to see me but after a discussion I was allowed through. If you go 500M beyond the start in Agua Buena on main road there is a dirt road which branches right just as the main road goes left. The dirt road should come in to join RR just where you exit the fruit farm, allowing you to avoid going through the farm.
You cross Bridge 5 into another fruit farm, no entry sign on bridge. As you leave the farm there is a house, they might not let you in here if you are Northbound. Just after you get to the road there is a shop. 3 campsites (paid camping) & 3 shops in Las Penas, last one does small meals. About 2K later you pay 3000 CLP entry fee @ a gate. Camped @ Water 25. There is one place with water beyond that but nowhere else to camp until the lakes. Lakes are nice but no shade & no wood. I would suggest road walking the first section to Las Penas or get the bus (see updated transport section)
* '''2019-Dec-20 to 20219-Dec-22 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / Southbound / Ian Hikes'''
Overview: If hiking southbound this is the first section where it really starts to get green and the pine trees start to appear more frequently. The first section is dominated by dirt roads with paying campsites, cabins, puestos and other developments. Later you go over a large mountain pass with sweeping views in all direction completely above the tree line. Finally, you follow the valley into Los Quenes which in a nice little town to resupply in. The town has a small supermarket with many food options along with a few restaurants. These include pizza, sandwiches and empanadas. The plaza in the center of town also has free access to WIFI which I used while I was there.
Please feel free to reach out and ask me any questions at Ultratrailca@gmail.com
* '''2019-Nov-30 to 2019-Dec-03 / 4days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Martina & Ivo'''
low water levels, no snow, trails in excellent condition. ...and food and accommodation in Los Queñes :-)
* '''2019-Dec-09 to 2019-Dec-10 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Matus & Anna'''
We started in Las Peñas (we took Uber there from San Fernando). It took us 2 days.
There is enough water on both sides.
Accomodation, food and tiendas in Los Quenes.
=Resupply and Accommodation=
==Resupply and Accommodation along the Route==
=Transport to and from Route=
== Start Regular Route: Agua Buenas==
Bus every half hour in daytime from San Fernando to Agua Buena. 5 buses a day from San Fernando to Las Penas(no buses to Las Peñas on sunday), first one leaves San Fernando @ 11:30.
==Finish Regular Route: Los Quenes==
=Permits, Entry Fees and Right-of-Way Issues=
=Links to other Resources=