Birds and Mountains in Chile ~ La Campana National Park, Olmué and Ocoa, Chile | 1 day
Chile is a country with varied ecosystems, each home to different bird species. La Campana National Park is in central Chile, in the coastal mountain range, and is a good birding destination close to Santiago, Vina del Mar, and Valparíso.
Chilean Mockingbirds, Eared Doves, introduced California Quail, and Eagles are all common in the park, but there are many other species, including the Giant Hummingbird, and a number of owls.
La Campana has three sectors; visit both Ocoa – site of a Chilean Palm forest - and Granizo – where you can climb Cerro Campana – for a wide range of bird species.
ACTIVITIES/ATTRACTIONS: Hiking, Bird-Watching
SEASON: Open year round
PUBLISHED BY: Rosemary Drisdelle (Travel Writer) view profile
Day 1 ~ Granizo - Climb Cerro Campana
Visit Granizo by entering the park at Olmué, and be prepared for a moderately challenging climb if you follow the trail up Cerro Campana. It’s a great hike with spectacular views even if you don’t go all the way to the peak (where you can see Santiago, the Pacific, and the Andes).
Visit the office at the park entry to pay the park fee (minimal) and get a map of the trails and roads. At first, you'll walk near the river—where there are shady picnic tables—then cross the river and begin to climb. There are good signs at the bottom to guide you, but there may not be any higher up. Along the way, you're likely to see wildlife, particularly foxes, domestic cows (which also use the trail) and birds: Chilean Pigeons, Chilean Flickers, wiretails, and various raptors to name a few. You’ll intercept the road higher up, and you can follow this back to the bottom, though the route is longer.
TIPS: It’s easy to get to Granizo by bus from Vina del Mar or Valparíso: take a bus to Limache and then another to Olmué. The park is at the end of the bus route.
If you’re camping, go to Ocoa.
Carry lots of water, especially if the weather is hot.
Don’t attempt to reach the peak if it’s foggy.
Day 2 ~ Ocoa - Chilean Palm Forest
Ocoa is popular for tourists, birders, and hikers because of the Chilean Palm forest, the most southerly palm forest in the world, but it’s harder to get to if you don’t have your own transportation. It is also the most likely place to see the Giant Hummingbird in season (spring and summer). It’s a long hike to La Cascada falls but not as strenuous as the climb up Cerro Campana—make a day of it, especially if you’re serious about seeing birds (Moustached Turca, White-throated Tapaculo, Chilean Mockingbird, raptors etc.). The land is flatter than on the Granizo side, and the vegetation less dense, so birds are generally easier to see. Watch for other wildlife as well.
There are a number of different trails in La Campana National Park, with various degrees of difficulty for hikers. One could easily spend a week exploring them and seeing the various ecosystems. Camping in the park saves a lot of travel time and lets you enjoy the birds at all times of day.