Cambios

== Right time ==

All year. Optimal in winter, as the trekking is quite low, and this time increases the chance to see guanacos.

== Access by car and the road status ==

This description is very important, because the map Turistel omitted Cachapoal River Bridge located below the confluence with the river Pangal, and [http://www.mapas.mop.cl/CARTAS Oficcial map of the Department of Roads (2007)] omits entirely the way that runs along the south bank of Cachapoal. We recommend the map shown here, that of the bridge Turistel drawn, either [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=rancagua,+chile&sll=-33.575852,-70.650072&sspn=0.007848,0.019226&g=coya,+chile&ie=UTF8&ll=-34.210383,-70.54287&spn=0.124641,0.43808&t=h&z=12 the map of the place in Google Maps], it does showcase the bridge.

=== See also ===

*[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=rancagua,+chile&sll=-33.575852,-70.650072&sspn=0.007848,0.019226&g=coya,+chile&ie=UTF8&ll=-34.210383,-70.54287&spn=0.124641,0.43808&t=h&z=12 Access Map in Google Maps]

==Route description ==

Since the last point accessible by car in December 2008, continue along the road vehicle, along the south bank of the river Cachapoal. After 40 minutes of walking, you reach the Maitenes sector, where a sign indicates that the route belongs to the Sendero de Chile. Few hundred meters later, there is a plantation and maitenes quillayes conducted by Codelco. It should be skirted the plantation without entering it. The trail climbs gently beside her. Then gradually turns left and returns to native planting. After about ten minutes after the plantation is a sign that says "Maitenes" straight and "Urriola" and "Carrizal" turning right, option to be followed. Only 75 meters ahead is a fork to the left (marked in the waypoints of the route as "Bifuración 1"),

It must continue along the main road, unless you want to visit the spectacular gorge Cypresses, which is encased between the rocks to the point where the river could be crossed in one leap (there is a bridge). This detour takes about half an hour each way and the same back in case you want to visit. Continuing along the main road is a short walk the stream that marked the boundary vehicles prior to winter 2008. Then the path narrows and begins to approach the Cypresses. It will be visible to the north of this river's confluence with the Cachapoal.

The direct path now tuck south, always on the west bank of river. It crosses a couple of dry ravines and, after a rise followed by a downturn, there is the ravine lathe, ideal to supply water and bathing in hot weather. Shortly after this stream has a steep climb. 2.3 kilometers below the gorge of the old trail lathe cut by recent river erosion. Where to find this point, one must go back a few dozen meters up leaving bifuración right (marked waypoints in this route as "Bifuración 2"), which marks the beginning of a new stretch of road built to save erosion. Then comes a ravine with a stream of water. 600 meters later you receive a camp site (labeled "Camping"), with traces of fire and tent sites, under the shade of trees. It is a good place to camp if you go through three days and is not reaching the lagoon Piuquenes.

Few tens of meters ahead, the trail again cut by erosion of the river in the gorge of Rapiante. This time NO ONE PASS BY SUPERIOR. The trail gets to the river bed, without being required to remove their shoes. Henceforth, the path is very clear. It passes the foot of large cliffs and behind a small ridge that separates river. About two hours after Rapiante ravine crosses the gorge of the Casa de la Piedra Colorada, with the possibility of bathing, and, according to the season and time of day, can take off his shoes. About 40 minutes are prairie Urriola (which are nothing more than that, meadows) and the first cypresses are visible on both sides of river. A mile farther is the cypress forest, where there are some fences. On the opposite bank of the river is visible a kind of wooden barn quite high. Slightly less than 2 miles later you reach an overlook of the valley. It's the end of the path defined by this route. However, 2 miles farther south is the creek that leads to Lake Piuquenes.

===Expected Time ===

Until the viewpoint of the valley which was defined here as "end", consider 7 to 9 hours one way, and between 5 and 7 hours back. It can be done relatively hard two days or three days relaxed. Although not yet described here, the more interesting it would take three days in total to reach the lagoon Piuquenes that trekking on the map appears in the lower left corner

==External Links==

{{Tiempo atmosferico Rancagua}}

{{Trekkings Chile}}