Cerro Ñielol Natural Monument
This is the only area of protected woodland in Chile which lies within the urban radius of such a big city as Temuco. Access is up Calle Prat. There is a CONAF hut at the entrance to the park where a small entrance fee is charged.
There are separate roads, both paved, to go up and down the hill.
It comprises an area of 89 hectares, where you can see woods of peumo, boldo, olivillo, roble, laurel and ulmo native to the region, and also species typical of the Valdivian Forest. Among the vines and creepers, look out for our national flower, the copihue.
Here you can also observe a range of species of birds, including humming-birds, torcaza, vulture, hued-hued, aguilucho, fío fío and cachudito.
Cerro Ñielol has a great historic and cultural significance for the city of Temuco, since here stands The Patagua (a sort of tree) of the Armistice, which recalls the talks held between Chileans and Mapuches to agree a peace between the two peoples.
There are two warden’s centers in the park, as well as a beautiful lookout point, which offers a view over the whole city of Temuco. There are pools, various viewpoints, walking trails, picnic spots, children’s games and a restaurant.
At the top of the hill is the Vulcanological Observatory of the Southern Andes, OVDAS, for which the SERNAGEOMIN is responsible. This observatory is not open to the public.
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