Chile – Parque Nacional La Campana, and Olmué

Posted on | November 25, 2006 | 2 Comments

I realized a couple days before we left on our trip that Stacy and I had planned no outdoorsy excursion while we were in Chile — though, from what I could tell reading the guidebooks, getting your outdoors on was the main reason to visit Chile. We didn’t have time (or equipment) for anything extreme (no Patagonia or Tierra del Fuego), but our reading revealed a national park between Viña and Santiago (where we had to go to get a plane to Peru) with a mountain you can climb.

According to the guidebooks, Parque Nacional La Campana is among Chile’s premier national parks, and it’s centerpiece, Cerro La Campana, is famous for two reasons — you can see the ocean and Santiago from its peak, and Charles Darwin climbed it in 1834. So would we.

There are a few towns near La Campana, the largest and most practical being Olmué. We stayed at the Hosteria el Copihue right in the center of town.

I’ll take the city first — Olmué is dull. As Jorge warned us before we headed there, it’s a resort town for old people. There’s pretty much nothing to do in Olmue but hang out in your hotel and eat at one of the few restaurants in town.

As a hotel, Hosteria el Copihue was uninspired. It cost too much money (it ended up being around $100/night with tax), and provided too little in terms of service. Also, the restaurant there was mediocre. I cannot recommend it, though I wouldn’t know where else to direct you in Olmue.

My favorite place in town was La Cafetta, on the main avenue, which served tasty coffee drinks and good jugos naturales. We went there a few times for a relaxing beverage.

But really, we weren’t in Olmue to be in Olmue. We were there to climb La Campana. So, on our first morning in town, we woke up, fortified ourselves with desayuno, and set out for the park.

And, in short, we didn’t like it.

We didn’t like it for a number of reasons. The primary one was that there was no real warning as to how difficult the climb was. The guidebooks mention that it’s very steep, that you shouldn’t wear sneakers, blah blah. They don’t mention that for long stretches the trail pretty much disappears as you scramble over broken rock. That “steep” is an understatement. That it’s a remarkably difficult slog up the hill. So, we weren’t prepared for what lay ahead, and that upset us.

Also, when you get to the top, while the view is spectacular, it’s not, well, interesting. Chilenos love La Campana because they have a context in which to put what they’re seeing — the ocean, the surrounding valleys, the cities. As a foreigner, all that context was lost on me — seeing it all in one sweep didn’t *mean* anything, so it was just a view. And while a good view, it wasn’t worth the 4.5 hours of getting up the mountain, nor the subsequent 3.5-4 hours return.

Simply put, I just don’t think La Campana is really “worth it” to a non-Chileno. I’ve never been on a hike before that felt so much like work, just a slog.

So, I cannot recommend it.

Olmue and La Campana were travel experiences, and, when you adventure a bit, well, you’ll occasionally be disappointed. And we were.

Basically, what we realized as we left Olmue and headed to Santiago (where we spent the night before getting on a plane for Cusco, Peru) is that we simply spent too long in Chile. We should have shaved two days off of our Chile travel, and spent longer in Peru, specifically Cusco, because Cusco is simply amazing. But that’s for another post…

Comments

2 Responses to “Chile – Parque Nacional La Campana, and Olmué”

Chileno
December 6th, 2006 @ 4:33 pm

Great, funny review of the unfortunate hike! Since I’ve been living in Chile for almost a year (and I like exercise) I guess it might be worth it to make that hike.

Metaphorically, though, it seems like I make that hike every day. Yes, living in Chile is can often feel like “a remarkably difficult slog up the hill” he he.

Keep up the great blogging! I’ll definitely be reading your Peru entries before I travel there someday
Kathryn Shaw
June 13th, 2011 @ 9:57 am

Hi!

Unfortunately I am of the complete opposite opinion of your post. I thought the hike was AMAZING. The view was incredible, and as a day out of the city goes… this was one of the best. The view is breathtaking, the exercise is fabulous (sore for 2 days). Perhaps just as a passthrough it might not be worth it as yes, the hike is difficult. However, to anyone who likes an adventure and hiking, this is the #1 thing I would recommend in Chile (Ive only been here for 1 month though).
Additionally, there is good public transportation if you get up nice and early you can make it to the top and back to Santiago or Viña/Valparaíso in a day… no staying in Olmue necessary.

Sorry you didnt enjoy it as much as I did… but I know Im going to return.

peterme.com

Links, thoughts, and essays from Peter Merholz

Chile – Parque Nacional La Campana, and Olmué

Comments

Recent Comments

Hello

Archives

peterme.com

Links, thoughts, and essays from Peter Merholz

Chile – Parque Nacional La Campana, and Olmué

Comments

Recent Comments

Tags

Hello

Archives