Cerro Ñielol Natural Monument

Cerro Ñielol is a piece of native forest inside Temuco: 89 hectares protected since 1939, with lingue, laurel, raulí, coigüe and roble trees, and the copihue, Chile's national flower (sources: CONAF; Interpatagonia). It is also a historic site: in 1881 it hosted the parliament in which the Mapuche people ceded land for the city to be founded (source: Interpatagonia).

Things to do

• Short trails of low and medium difficulty; one leads to Pilhue Lagoon (sources: Wikipedia; Interpatagonia).
• Viewpoint: a view over the whole city (source: Interpatagonia).
• History: five chemamules, Mapuche wooden statues, recall the 1881 parliament (same source).
• Wildlife: buff-necked ibis, chimango caracaras and the monito del monte (same source).

Getting there

From Temuco's main square, about 10 blocks along Arturo Prat street to the road up the hill (source: Interpatagonia).

Before you go

Check opening hours and fees with CONAF. It's a good half-day outing without leaving the city.