Santuario de la Naturaleza Yerba Loca

Santuario de la Naturaleza Yerba Loca is a protected Andean valley in Lo Barnechea, about 40 km north-east of Santiago in Chile's Metropolitana region, with glacier views, waterfalls and the Estero Yerba Loca trail. It is best suited to full-day hikes. The park gate is at Villa Paulina off the Camino a Farellones, and the drive takes about 1.5 hours. There is no regular bus, so visitors use a car or taxi from Las Condes, or join guided treks from Santiago that cost about CLP 60,000-90,000. Entry is about CLP 5,000, and hikers should register at the gate before setting out. From the entrance, trails follow the Yerba Loca stream up the valley through meadows and rocky slopes, with views of glaciers and high peaks. Short walks near the entrance suit those with limited time, while longer routes up the valley take most of a day and involve altitude gain and exposed terrain. A practical one-day arc is an early start so that the gate is reached in the morning, walking in the cooler hours with a picnic break by the stream, and returning to the car by mid-afternoon with time for the drive down the winding road. The best window runs from October to April, when snow has melted from the lower trails. Winter brings snow and closures. There are no restaurants in the park, so food and water must be carried, and weather can change quickly, so warm layers, sun protection and sturdy shoes are needed. Cell coverage is limited. Visitors with less hiking experience may prefer a guided trek.