The Oncol Park, created in 1989, preserves the native Valdivian forest along the Valdivian coastal mountain range. The park is green and lush all year and feels like a tropical rain forest. The park boasts a wide variety of trees, many that are massive in size. The wet and fern covered undergrowth enhances the rain-forest feel of the park.
When you visit Valdivia, in southern Chile, definitely schedule time to drive over to Oncol Park and enjoy the natural beauty and sites the area offers.
Exploring the Oncol Park
You can climb to the top of a view platform on the summit of the Oncol hill (about 715 meters or 2345 feet tall). From the top of Oncol hill, you can enjoy unobstructed views for miles around, including the Pacific Ocean and distant volcanoes.
Oncol Park has several hiking trails that will let you explore the native plants and animals. Camping is also available.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even do a canopy tour via a zip line for about $8000 pesos ($15 USD).
The Oncol Park is open all year but you’ll find the most activity and people during the summer months. Don’t expect a canopy tour to be running in the middle of winter.
What to Expect in the Park
Here is a video (in Spanish) about Parque Oncol:
How to Get to the Park
The Oncol Park is about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Valdivia. The road to the park is mostly dirt and gravel but is manageable without a 4×4 in good weather. Nevertheless, if you want to explore with confidence, I’d recommend a 4×4 which would also let you continue on to the beautiful Pilolcura beach which sits down from the park on the coast.
You can see more that the Oncol Park has to offer on their official site (in Spanish): Parque Oncol’s website
Picture credits: Cristián C.M., Marcos Escalier T.
