National reserveSan Clemente · CL
Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay
Tucked into the Andean foothills of Chile's Maule region, about 70 km east of Talca, Altos de Lircay National Reserve is the region's largest protected wilderness and one of central Chile's favourite mountain hideaways. Created in 1996 to safeguard the cloud-forest and high-valley ecosystems around the Lircay River, it pairs gentle native-forest walks at the trailhead with strenuous treks that climb to dramatic ridgeline viewpoints. It is best known for two things: a fiery display of autumn colour in the Nothofagus forest, and El Enladrillado, a strange 'paved' basalt plateau that seems to float on top of the Andes. The reserve suits a wide range of visitors. Ramblers can take an easy interpretive boardwalk loop through the trees in under an hour, while hikers with a long day and good legs can push up to mountaintop lookouts over the Río Claro valley and the snow-streaked peaks beyond. Horseback riding, picnics and a mountain campsite round out the offering, and on clear days the views earn its name — the 'heights of the Lircay'.