Villarrica Volcano opens exceptionally on 12 October
Published on 09/27/2026 at 17:02 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Villarrica Volcano (Volcán Villarrica) near Pucón will have an exceptional opening on 12 October 2026, with Chile's national parks authority moving its weekly maintenance closure to 13 October. The change gives visitors an additional Monday access date in the Araucanía sector of the protected area.
Villarrica Volcano gains a special opening on 12 October
CONAF, the body responsible for Chile's national parks, lists the exceptional opening in its current visitor notice for Parque Nacional Villarrica. The notice applies to the sector in the Araucanía Region, which includes the access areas associated with Pucón, Villarrica and Curarrehue.
The same notice states that the weekly maintenance closure will be postponed from Monday 12 October to Tuesday 13 October. This is a change to the usual weekly access pattern, not a new festival or guided programme. The official CONAF visitor notice is the reference for the special opening and the revised closure date.
Park trails connect the opening with the volcanic slopes
The protected area extends across the communes of Villarrica, Pucón, Curarrehue and Panguipulli. CONAF records its creation on 28 November 1940 and places it within the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve, established by UNESCO in 1983.
That setting gives the October access change a precise practical meaning. Visitors entering through the Araucanía sector find a network of forest and mountain routes, including the Mirador Los Cráteres trail, Rucapillán and the Cráter Villarrica trail. The latter is listed by CONAF as an arduous route, with rockfall and lahar risks noted for particular conditions. The park authority also warns visitors to follow guard-park instructions and remain on authorised paths.
The mountain remains a monitored volcanic site rather than an ordinary hill walk. A September report described minor explosions, ballistic rock emissions and increasing temperatures around the crater after the technical alert was raised on 4 September 2026. Those observations concern the crater area and make the distinction between park access and summit access important for planning.
Restrictions remain on the Pichillancahue route
The special opening does not remove every restriction in the park. CONAF lists the Pichillancahue glacier trail as closed from 25 July through 31 December 2026, both in the Los Ríos sector and for the corresponding northern access restriction.
Other routes remain listed by sector, with different levels of difficulty and exposure. The Rucapillán and Quillelhue trails are shorter options in the Araucanía sector, while Challupén, Lagos Andinos and several cross-park routes demand substantially more preparation. The official list also identifies possible encounters with pumas, rodents that can carry hantavirus and biting insects.
Visiting Villarrica Volcano: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The special opening is on 12 October 2026 in the Araucanía sector of Parque Nacional Villarrica; weekly maintenance closure follows on 13 October 2026.
- The Pichillancahue glacier route is not available through 31 December 2026, so the special opening does not provide access to that trail.
- From Pucón, the Rucapillán entrance follows the Camino al Volcán to the CONAF control hut at the end of the paved road, where visitors must stop and register.
- The Cráter Villarrica trail is listed as arduous, and CONAF notes rockfall and lahar risks; suitable hiking clothing and attention to park instructions are required.
- Chile's official language is Spanish and its national currency is the Chilean peso.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Villarrica Volcano
When does the special opening take place at Villarrica Volcano?
The Araucanía sector will open exceptionally on 12 October 2026, and weekly maintenance will move to 13 October 2026.
What is restricted at Villarrica Volcano?
The Pichillancahue glacier trail is listed as closed through 31 December 2026. Other restrictions can apply according to sector conditions and park instructions.
Where is Villarrica Volcano and how do you get there?
The mountain lies in southern Chile near Pucón. The Rucapillán sector is reached from Pucón by the Camino al Volcán to the CONAF control hut.
