Category: Hikes

If one would rather take a mountain hike as an alternative to one of the recommended coastal hikes, there is a well established trail along the ridgetop between Zapallar and Cachagua.  It is referred to by the locals as El Tigre, the Tiger.

The trail actually begins on the Zapallar end at the lowest point on the eastern ridge (where the sun comes up), between the communication towers on the right and the Higuera mountain on the left.  One can access the trailhead by taking a pathway that begins at the uppermost point of the pueblo housing developed on the right as you enter Zapallar on the road from Cachagua.  On this traverse of the ridge to the El Tigre trailhead, one gets magnificent panoramas of the township of Zapallar.

The formal beginning of the El Tigre trail is not hard to identify.

One of the surprising things about the trail is that it is relatively flat.  This makes for an enjoyable walk as you take in the vistas of Cachagua laying there down by the ocean.

The second most surprising thing about this walk is lushness of the vegetation.  Even in the summer of a drought year, you have been magically transported from the dryness of the surrounding areas into a green oasis.  One almost expects to see Trazan swinging by on the vines hanging from the trees.

About 2 hours into the hike, at a fence gate looking like this and where a trail heads downhill to the right, one has multiple choices on how to proceed.  Take the trail down the hill towards the coast to arrive in Cachagua.  The way down takes you through people’s horse pastures and along dirt roads.  Always keep heading downhill, towards the sea, and you will arrive in Cachagua in about another 2 hours.  Alternately, you can turn around at this point and head back on the trail to Zapallar.  The third option is to go through the fence gate, and take that path, which will bring you to Catapilco in a day or two.

Whether you end up in Cachagua or Zapallar, the first order of business is a big glass of cold water.

The hike between Zapallar and the cemetery north of town is a wonderful coastline walk, partly a stroll on a rambla (developed pathway) and partly boulder hopping.  The walk will take about an hour, an hour and a half each way.  One can be dropped off at the cemetery and do the walk one way back to Zapallar.

For the purposes of this discussion, we will assume hiking from the cemetery back to Zapallar. To begin with, take some time walking through the cemetery. Many of the old Zapallar families have family plots here and their ancestry dates well back in town’s history. Many of the personalities responsible for the development of Zapallar reside in this cemetery.

From the oceanside of the cemetery, a rambla begins that forms the first portion of the hike.  This rambla follows the coastline, winding its way between the ocean crashing on the granite shore and the stately homes that have sprung  up in this area.

Mid-point in the rambla, there is a rock out-cropping jutting into the sea that has interrupted the construction of the pathway.  At this point, you have to scramble up the hillside to get past this obstacle.  Dropping down the other side to rejoin the rambla, one finds a beautiful swimming hole frequented by the locals.

At the end of the rambla begins the portion of the trip boulder hopping down the coastline (at this point you could scramble up the hillside to the road and walk the road back to Zapallar).  The walk is generally pretty staright-forward and easy, although there are a couple spots where one has to explore to find the best way past an obstacle.

Constantly on this walk there are beautiful views of the coastline and the ocean waves that make this area so spectacular.  One can spy dolphins out the the water, and if really fortunate, maybe even a whale.

The last portion of the trip is the anticipation of getting closer and closer to Isla Seca.  The portion of the hike winding your way through boulders terminates at Isla Seca.  From this point on, one can take the Rambla back into the Zapallar pueblo.

The hike begins at Mar Bravo.  Take the pathway that leads down from the park and head south along the coast.  To avoid the boulder hopping portion of the trip, you can walk down the road fronting the park and pick up the Rambla portion of the hike just past El Pangue forest (take the first right after the forest to reach the trailhead going down to the Rambla).  You might see anything on this trip, maybe even a helicopter or two.  This short rambla at the beginning of the trip only last 10 minutes or so, and then the boulder hopping begins.

This blazing of your own trail through the rocks brings your mind back to the days of yore when this was a common mode of walking.  Take one way around a large granite cropping only to be obstructed and have to backtrack a little to find another way.  It is all very doable, with only a couple spots where fencing of people’s yards have made it difficult to get by.  The enjoyment of the scenery is only topped by the feeling of accomplishment as you work your way down the coast.

At the end of your boulder hopping you come to the secluded little beach of Pangue.  Until recently this beach was almost private because the only way to access it was by scrambling over the rocks.  Now a rambla begins of the far side of the beach.  This has made it easier for people to get to this beach, although it is still very much unused.  A branch of the rambla goes up to the coastal road just past Pangue; this is where you will pick up the trip if you have hiked the road from Mar Bravo.  Once past Pangue and onto the rambla, the going is much easier and relaxing.

Keep your eyes peeled, in the water below and in the surrounding rocks, for a glimpse of a sea lion, or even a Chungungo (or nutria), the sea otter in this area.  The beauty of the coastline is ever present.

The next little bay you come to is Las Cujas, with a little sandy beach and a water that is easy to get into.  This beach is also accessible from a parking lot above just near park/plaza in Cachagua.

Continuing the easy walk to Cachagua Beach takes you by many more homes, some old, some new, built along this coastline.

As you pass by the Isle de Penguinos (Penguin Island), take a moment to look for the little Chilean penguins that inhabit this portion of the coast (well, at least this island).

The end of this walk leaves you on Cachagua Beach.  The lengthy, level hike down this beach is left for another day.