Puyehue-Cordón CaulleAbout Puyehue-Cordón Caulle
Puyehue-Cordón Caulle is a volcanic complex in southern Chile’s Andes in the Los Ríos Region. It combines volcanic cones and a long fissure system and is notable for recent explosive eruptions and active geothermal fields.
The area attracts visitors for volcanic landscapes, hiking in adjacent national park terrain, and nearby thermal spas. Geothermal activity and lava fields are visible in places accessible by marked trails and roads.
The complex produced a major eruptive event in June 2011 that generated ash plumes and widespread ashfall; the eruption remained a focus of monitoring and scientific study afterward. Other historical eruptions have been recorded in the 20th and 21st centuries.
The volcanic complex lies in the Andes of southern Chile within the Los Ríos Region, set among lakes, forests, and mountain terrain. Access is typically via regional roads serving the Puyehue and Osorno areas.
- 2011 eruption: The 2011 eruption produced a large ash plume that disrupted air travel across southern South America and deposited ash over wide areas; ashfall affected nearby towns and agriculture.
What to See#
- Puyehue: Puyehue volcano is one of the principal volcanic cones in the complex and forms part of the area of high-relief terrain visited for hiking and thermal features.
- Cordón Caulle: Cordón Caulle is a volcanic fissure and lava field known for its geothermal fields and for producing high-energy fissure eruptions, including the 2011 event.
Nearby Attractions to Puyehue-Cordón Caulle
Best Time to Visit Puyehue-Cordón Caulle
Late spring through early autumn is best for hiking and access; check volcanic activity before visiting.
Weather & Climate near Puyehue-Cordón Caulle
Puyehue-Cordón Caulle's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in January) and freezing winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from -7°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1508 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 1° - 15° | 4° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 6.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 14.5h |
| February | Good | 0° - 15° | 4° | 59 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 6.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.5h |
| March | Acceptable | -1° - 13° | 2° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 6.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.2h |
| April | Poor | -3° - 9° | -2° | 129 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 6.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.9h |
| May | Poor | -5° - 5° | -6° | 151 mm | overcast | 88% | 7.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| June | Poor | -6° - 2° | -8° | 179 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| July | Poor | -7° - 2° | -9° | 266 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| August | Poor | -7° - 3° | -8° | 222 mm | overcast | 90% | 6.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.4h |
| September | Poor | -6° - 5° | -6° | 137 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.7h |
| October | Poor | -4° - 8° | -3° | 86 mm | overcast | 82% | 6.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.0h |
| November | Acceptable | -2° - 11° | 0° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 6.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.2h |
| December | Acceptable | 0° - 13° | 2° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 7.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.8h |
How to Get to Puyehue-Cordón Caulle
The Puyehue-Cordón Caulle complex is reached from cities such as Osorno or Valdivia; the main access routes are regional highways from Puyehue National Park area. Guided tours and local lodges in the Los Ríos Region organize transport; check local road conditions and volcanic alerts.
Tips for Visiting Puyehue-Cordón Caulle
- Use a licensed guide for multi-day treks - the area is volcanically active and routes change.
- Check volcanic alert levels with Chilean ONEMI before travel.
- For thermal baths and local sights, stay in nearby towns (Pucon or Osorno) and take day trips guided by local operators.