Villarrica Volcano
In short
A 2,847 m stratovolcano inside Villarrica National Park, between the towns of Villarrica and Pucón. Its summit is covered by a glacier.
Villarrica, also called Rucapillán, is the volcano that towers over Pucón: 2,847 meters, one of the most active in South America, with an open crater and permanent fumaroles (source: Sernatur, chile.travel). It lies inside Villarrica National Park.
Things to do
- Climbing to the crater: this is high-mountain terrain. Hiring a certified guide in advance and carrying proper technical gear is mandatory (source: Sernatur, chile.travel).
- Volcanic caves and trails through araucaria forest on its slopes (same source).
- In winter: Pucón Ski Center, on the volcano's lower slopes (same source).
Getting there
20 km from Pucón on a mountain road, about 30 minutes. The nearest airport is La Araucanía, in Freire, about an hour and a half from Pucón (source: Sernatur, chile.travel).
Before you go
Check Sernageomin's volcanic alert and the forecast: access is often restricted because of volcanic activity or bad weather (source: Sernatur, chile.travel).
Where it is
- Area
- Lake District
- Protected area
- Parque Nacional Villarrica
-39.42103, -71.93956 · View on map · Source of the point (© OpenStreetMap contributors / Wikidata)
Today's conditions
-
Villarrica Volcano on yellow technical alertCaution
Sernageomin raised Villarrica Volcano's technical alert from green to yellow on September 4, 2026; as of October 15 we found no change. Check sernageomin.cl and senapred.cl before heading up the volcano.
Checked October 15, 13:00 · Sernageomin · Not checked for more than 24 hours
Information from official sources, with the date of the last check. Confirm with the source before you go: araucania.tours informs, it does not guarantee conditions.
Nearby or similar
San Luis Hot Springs
Hot springs with thermal pools, tubs and lodging at km 27 of the road from Pucón to Curarrehue.
Villarrica Lake
A 176 km² lake with the town of Villarrica on its west shore and Pucón on the east. Its main inflow is the Trancura rive...
Villarrica National Park
A 53,460-hectare national park created in 1940, with Villarrica and Quetrupillán volcanoes. Its La Araucanía sectors are...