Climbing Villarrica Volcano: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Situated in central Chile, the Villarrica Volcano is the westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes that run from the center of the country all the way to the Argentine border.

The mountain is quite popular for novice mountain climbers, as it requires very little technical ability to summit.

While the summer months are the most popular time to climb, the peak is accessible all year round. In the winter, it becomes a popular ski mountaineering destination, with climbers ascending on skins and enjoying some world class descents after reaching the top.

Villarica Volcano, itself, only takes one day to climb (about 7 to 8 hours). However, many mountaineers who make it to this exquisite corner of the world opt to extend the trip to three or more days and summit several other nearby mountains and volcanoes too.

Spending three days in the region and climbing Lonquimay and Llaima before Villarica is one of the most popular options.

Stunning scenery

Situated in the heart of Villarrica National Park and surrounded by other iconic Andean peaks, Villarrica Volcano boasts plenty of incredible scenery to explore while on a mountaineering expedition. The approach to the foot of the peak takes cimbers through the Valdivian temperate rainforest. Once the ascent begins and climbers get above the treeline, the peak boasts incredible views out over the other nearby mountains and volcanoes.

The active lava lake

Everyone has seen it in the movies: the part where the protagonist climbs to the top of the volcano and sees the boiling lake of lava at the base of the crater. By making the one-day ascent to the summit of the Villarrica Volcano, you can witness molten rock from the inside of the earth too. The peak is one of the few active volcanoes to have a legitimate lava lake at the bottom of its crater. While it cannot always be seen, it is a sight to behold when it is visible.

Great for beginners

Expeditions to the top of Villarrica Volcano are perfect for novice mountaineers. While the ascent requires quite a high level of physical fitness and some previous mountaineering experience, none of the climbing is overly technical. However, the way is quite steep and requires climbing up 35º inclinations and, overall, ascending 1,400 vertical meters (4,600 vertical feet)

During the summer months, average daily temperatures at the base of Villarrica Volcano hover around 15 ºC (60 ºF) and drop to below freezing toward the summit. The summer is also the driest time of year, with minimal rainfall.

Any trip to Villarrica Volcano likely begins with a flight into Pucón Airport (ZPC), which can be reached from Santiago. Most guides will opt to meet you here and provide transport to the start of the trip.

Spanish

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Peso (CLP)

October to March, although some guides offer trips year-round.