Altos de Lircay National Reserve, in the Andean mountain skirts of San Clemente (Vilches Alto), is an ideal place for nature lovers and outdoor activities, hiking, horseback riding, and connecting with nature.
Vilches is a small community to the east of the town of San Celemente that serves as a gateway to the Altos de Lircay national reserve. It has several campgrounds, posadas (inns), and a grocery store.
The 121-km² reserve offers an attractive setting that borders the north bank of the River Lircay.
This place is one of the cheapest for this kind of activities, locals also offer stays very cheap and very good quality, internet access, tourism guide, horseback riding and relaxation areas.
Created in 1996 has a rich flora and fauna, consisting of a vegetation hualas, raulíes, laurel, cypress and huillipataguas range and an animal population that includes species such as parrots tricahue, black woodpeckers, eagles, thrushes, quail, pumas, doves and condors.
During walking, you can see remnants of a culture extinct: The Indians Pehuenches. You may appreciate "the stones of the cups, bigs rocks where the Pehuenches used the stones´s holes for food preparation.
For more information about natural resources, is entitled Environmental Interpretation Center of the CONAF located in the town of Vilches Altos.
Moreover, since the reserve can access the "Sendero de Chile", a route that allows a walking tour or horse to enjoy areas of natural beauty as "Deer Valley", "The Brickwork" and "Volcano Big Headed".
Temperate Mediterranean. On the coast the temperatures are moderate and there is a six-month dry season in the north and four months in the south. In summer, maximum temperatures are 19 °C and 30 °C, while in winter the minimum is 7 °C.
Entrance fees, as of May 2021:
The unit is 66 km east of Talca, passing through San Clemente, of which 50 km are paved and 20 are gravel. Traffic is maintained all year round, although in winter this can be hampered by snow in the last 4 km of the journey.
There are four daily buses running from Talca, March to December: at 07:15, 12:00, and 13:00, and 14:50 (May 2021).
Flora and fauna. Attractive landscape.
Trekking, horse riding, mountain biking, mountaineering, climbing, river kayak, picnic, contemplation of the flora and fauna, photography.
Its main hiking trails are: