Peñuelas Lake National Reserve

Peñuelas Lake is actually a reservoir which was constructed between 1895 and 1900 with the purpose of supplying the higher parts of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar with water. Both lie some 30 kilometers (19 mi) to the west.

The park is easily accessible since the road (Ruta 68) which connects Santiago with Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, passes alongside the lake. The reserve is an excellent place to enjoy bird-watching, fishing or simply relaxing among its natural tranquility. The reserve has a surface area of 9,260 hectares (20,372 acres), and the reservoir is surrounded by soft slopes and low, rolling hills. The forests of quillai, peumo and litri, among other species, are home to a large variety of birds and animals. Foxes (gray and red), for example, as well as coupu (kind of beaver), cururo (species of field mice), chinchilla, heron, huala duck, pueco, osprey and, very occasionally, coscoroba swans. The lake is a meeting place for regional aquatic birds. For those who enjoy fishing, you can fish from the banks of the reservoir for pejerry (argentinian).

Location

Valparaíso Region. Valparaíso is 20 km (12.5 MI) west of the reserve. Santiago is 100 km (62 MI) east. Location

How to get there

From Santiago to the reserve by public or private transportation, on Ruta 68 towards Valparaíso. See Transportation

When to go

Year round.

Other nearby attractions

Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Curacaví.

Activities

Photography, wildlife observation, fishing. Activities Section

Climate

Rain in the winter, in summer the weather is dry, and extends between 6 and 8 months. It has an average annual temperature of 14°C (57°F) and an average annual rainfall of 520 mm (20 in.).

Services

Rangers, environmental information, trails.

Admission Fee

Adults: $1,000 Chilean Pesos (Convert to US Dollars).

Children: $500 Chilean Pesos (Convert to US Dollars).