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→Season 2025/26
Add a new log entry always on top in the appropriate season sub-chapter and use format:
<!-- IF YOU COPY FROM THIS EDITING VIEW, YOU NEED TO USE THIS TEMPLATE (* TRANSFORMS INTO BULLET, ''' MAKE IT BOLD):*''' Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or <span style="background-color:aqua;">Packrafting </span> / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias'''--><nowiki>* '''</nowiki>'''Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or <span style="background-color:aqua;">Packrafting</span> / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias'''<nowiki>'''</nowiki>
=Overview=
=Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions=
''' GPT 13 + 14ish | 2 days | 12/31-1/1 | RR, 13 Variant A, RR, Variant A '''
Someone call animal control! Jokes, but seriously I’ve been battling.
Started from Licura on RR, all good for first 5km until I reached Settlement and was stopped by 4 hounds bolting at me. There wasn’t an option to pass around them, they fully blocked path before I even was close to the house. Just turned around and decided to walk road.
After a few Km someone offered me a ride to Icalma, and being dusted and dried out I accepted.
From Icalma I walked to the border, crossed, ate lunch in the shade, and crossed back. Argentina was beautiful!
Continued on to GPT 14. Made it to bushwhack section, got kinda lost, but then found this beautiful new path and decided to explore it.
For a while it ran parallel to the RR, but such a nice path so I kept on, thinking it would intercept Variant A. After like 6km it took a turn, and started heading back the way I came, but actually intercepted the main road (Variant A). I was behind a gate and barbed wired, and since it was late I opted to sleep somewhere in the woods. I felt bad about being on someone’s property but I didn’t have much of an option. There were cows…pretext.
The night was kinda scary ngl, lots of cow sounds. I awoke before sunrise and got on the move. However, 3km down the Main Road I was stopped clean in my tracks.
I intercepted a mama cow and its baby, on different sides of the road. I stopped with distance and let them join together. However, when I start to try and walk past the mama became aggressive. They were up against some barbed wire. I kept my distance and tried to wait it out. After 15 minutes of angry Mooing and a stare down, I decided to shout, blow my whistle, and wave my polls. It kinda worked.
Mama crossed over to other side and started to ignore me, but the baby didn’t. I waited, but then the baby started to approach me. I yelled a bit, but then the mama started to run towards me.
I jogged away, out of sight, but now Mama was straight charging me. In fact, she took a shortcut through a dirt path and tried to cut me off, fully running. I ran away lol, and was intercepted by another group of cows. Luckily, they moved away and let me pass.
Beaten down, with my new year starting with a cow charge, I headed back to Icalma. I think i’ll go to GPT 16 now hehe.
Maybe I’m not a country boy who doesn’t know cows, but I was scared for real. Little video from before the charge.
==Season 2024/25==
'''2025-01-27 to 2025-01-31 / 4 days / NOBO / GPT 13/12/11 (Packrafting Bio Bio) / Mara & Tobias
Jan is right as he put Río Bio Bio not as an official option for the GPT. But for experienced packrafter it might be a great thing to do!
We crossed Lago Icalma in the early morning hours and hiked to Laguna Galletue where the Bio Bio river is born. We started paddling downstream. It was a funny but also demanding experience. Lage parts are overgrown with trees (non-native willow) and some rapids have little water. After we had 2 holes in the Packraft, we stopped the adventure after 6 km, went to the road and hitchhiked to bridge Lolén (-38.47294 -71.23612). One bridge earlier (-38.59210 -71.14081) would be suitable for river in as well.
Then the great part started! We paddled 3 days down to the embalse Ralco lake and enjoyed the rapids (class 1-2+) there are 2 rapids class 3. All of the rapids can be easily spotted before entering. And also be bypassed. We did that 3 times. In Troyo there are 3 mini markets for resupply. Crossed the lake in the early morning hours to avoid strong winds. Bio Bio is a warm and not very clean river. We took the drinking water from the creeks beside.
* ''' 2024-DEC-29 / 1 jours / Randonnée / SOBO / RR / Pierre-Marie '''
Etape : GPT09+GPT10+GPT11+GPT12+GPT13
| Meteo : soleil
| Eau : facile
| Neige : non
| Intérêt : 1/5
| Difficulté : 0/5
| Danger : gravel road
Le lac est vraiment beau et le sentier qui le longe est sympa. Mais le reste de la rando n'est pas interessant, et la gravel road juste avant le lac est dangereuse.
Je pensais prendre un bus vers 7h pour Temuco et j'ai campé juste avant l'arret de bus. Mais j'ai vu le bus passer a 6h40 quand je pliais ma tente. J'ai donc pris un bus pour Lonquimay a 7h20, puis le bus de 10h20 pour Temuco.
DEC-30>JAN-01 : Repos Temuco
*'''2024-DEC-28 to 2024-DEC-29 / 1 day / Hiking / SOBO / RR + OH (var. B, F) / Ivan, Jakub, Daniel'''
A calm and very easy section, mostly along a minor and paved road. We started from Liucura in the evening and camped on a small hill above the main road after crossing the bridge [2.0/1022]. The next day, we returned to the MR near the Biobío River and continued via the {13-B} variant. Near the settler [1.2/1036], we had to cross a pasture with horses and climb over several fences. This was followed by a section without water; the first water source we found was around km 10.6 at coordinates (-38.7115369, -71.1264958). The ford [16.6/1100] was easy to cross. Although the water reached waist height at one point, the current was calm.
In the afternoon, we left the RR to follow the variant {13-F}. We ended GPT13 in the evening in the very touristic village of Villa Icalma, which offers good resupply opportunities with several stores available.
* '''2024-Dec-16 / 1 Day / Bus / SOBO / Bus / Tomáš & Natalie & Clara'''
On our way to Villa Pehuania, we took a bus. It leaves at 15:00 from Lonquimay, passes around 15:30-15:45 through Liucura and arrives to Icalma some time after five. On Sundays, it leaves Lonquimay at 15:20. From Icalma, the bus leaves "Rincon Icalma" at 7:10 (12:30 on Sundays). Met Clara at the bus stop in Liucura, great! BTW, the landscape now in mid-December is significantly greener and more attractive than when we passed in February 2023. I also think there might be a much nicer path either following the border ridge or Cordillera Lonquimay. Needs investigation. Entel internet now just works ( but town was empty pre-season). Road between Icalma and Liucura is to be paved in March, a local said.
To Victoria buses leave Monday-Wednesday-Friday at 6:15 and go back at 17:15. From Temuco on the same days at 7:30 (9:00 on Sundays) and back to Icalma at 15:00 (same Sundays). There is also (subsidized) bus on the same days from Marimenuco (mid-GPT13) to Melipueco at 6:00 (Sunday 14:00), back 18:00 (same Sunday).
* '''2024-Dec-03 to 2024-Dec-04 / 2 Days / Hiking / SOBO / RR, D / Karin'''
I arrived on the 02 Dec at 4pm in Liucura, so I went to the second bridge (km2). Downstream is a nice place to camp. The night was freezing cold.
The ford (km16.6) was not passable for me (170cm). The water was too high (above hips) and the current was too strong. So I took variante D. After having walked var. D, I camp at the ford. Very nice place.
The road is easy to follow, not too many traffic. But definitly not the most attractiv.
I camped at campamento (km35.2). The camping is not yet open, but the owner lives in the house on the other side of the road. He charged me 10000 pesos for one night. There are sanitary installations.
As I did GPT 13 and 14 in one, I did not go in to Icalma, therefore I don't if there are shops for resupply.
==Season 2023/24==
*'''2024 Mar 14th to Mar 15 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR, Var F, Var A / Michael and KaisaKasia'''
An easy section even though we took 2 days to do it. We left Liucura around 14:00. It looked like it would be possible to camp on the near side of the foot bridge around km 1.94 if one didn't want to stay in Liucura. Going through the pine plantation we found a bunch of fresh callampas mushrooms (Suillus luteus) which we collected. We camped at (-38.70318, -71.10882). There was a dirt road heading down the direction of the river with no fencing. We found a flat spot on grass close to the river.
The next day we arrived in Icalma. The weather was sunny but very windy. Fords were easy. Just before and just after the ford at [16.6/1100] there were nice flat grassy areas that would be good camping spots. We passed a minimarket at (-38.77203, -71.24454). In Icalma there were three shops. The Almacén ECCA had a good selection with good prices. There is another shop across the street and a third on the road toward the border just before the school. The third store also had a good selection of stuff. Heading out the way of the border just a bit we found a family that rented us a “cabana” that they were in the process of renovating for 20.000 CLP. It had hot water in the shower. From there we walked to the border to renew our visa.
*'''2023-03-12 // 1 day // Hiking // NOBO // beginning of VAR A + VAR F + RR // Quentin Clavel'''
Started from icalma, this section was easy to follow and not a must do on the GPT, I understand the attractive rate, but still enjoyable, just smooth and easy.
But if you have to choose, maybe it's better to make a break in icalme instead of there, even if I left with my resupply and after a good rest.
*'''2024-01-12 / 1 day / Hiking / NOBO / RR / Hermann & Coline'''
This trail was short (one day), easy (plains) and therefore pleasant (one's enjoys even more the views).
The shops are small in Liucura, but we found varied food (cans, bread, sauce in poder, vegetables, meat, bread etc) – no bottle of gas, though.
*'''2024-Jan-12/ 1 day / Hiking / SOBO / RR - {13-F} - {13-A} / Lilian'''
Honestly, i love this section. Easy to walk and follow, relax my body in a still exercising status. Some nice views, especially Volcán Batea Mahuida and Icalma Lake! The whole way peaceful and no worries.
Bridge[0.5/1036] : after crossing, look like some possible camping spots beside some trees at downstream.
Km23.65 : a stream flowing good, i think this stream would not dry, have some "two fingers" size fish swimming in it, but upstream have some cabins, it is a risk to collect water here. Some flat spots nearby, this is the last place can wild camping, after here will become a commercial area, lot of paid campground and cabins.
Km25.2 : junction of {13-F} and RR. I take {13-F}+{13-A} because i want to resupply in Icalma.
{13-A} km25.7 : (-38.78516, -71.26117) excellent view point of Icalma Lake, climb up to the tiny hill on the right side, just 3min!
Information in Icalma :
I don't find 230g gas canisters in Icalma.
Lastly, i stayed at Cabañas Anyely (-38.81643, -71.29265), about 800m west of Icalma center. Sleep in a big cabin that can fit 5 people, not a cheap price for 1 people, but good deal if you are 2 or group. The main reason i stay here, they are happy to receive the resupply box(shoes and socks) that i sent from Santiago about 1 month ago and hold it for me. Also they accept i have a flexible date to stay. They are very happy when i arrive, also share some roast goat to me! Next day we go for a picnic nearby too (of course driving), we have a happy day there! I love them! They are so nice and friendly!
If you want to stay here, Google Map have their information, you can call them or whatsApp them. I use Chilexpress for the delivery and the address is shown in Google Map.
FYI : Volcán Batea Mahuida is a nice side trip, surrounded by lot of volcano(at least 8), you can find some (car+hiking) tour in Icalma. Also it is possible to renew visas at here, close to Argentina border.
* '''2023 21 dec / 1 day / (hitch)hiking main road / SOBO / Frans'''
This section didn't seem that interesting, and busses probably daily around noon going South. Since there is only 1 road going South, I decided to walk this road and try to get a ride. After 7km, and prob 7 cars going the wrong direction, the first one came in from behind and offered me a ride to Icalma which I happily accepted.
==Season 2019/20==
*'''2020-Feb / Hiking / NOBO'''
Hitched from Icalma to Liucura. The section does not seem particularly interesting. Possibility to wildcamp near the river in Liucura. Some small shops in pueblo.
*'''2020-Jan-25 / 1 day / Hiking / SOBO / RR until the lake, then OH / Martina & Ivo '''
Nothing to add to Matus' remarks :-) From Icalma we walked to Villa Pehuenia, Argentina, to renew our visas. We were able to avoid almost the hole road and walk on nice trails.
* '''2020-Jan-13 / 1 day / Hiking / SOBO / RR until the lake, then optional #002, 6 and 7 to the village / Matus & Anna '''
Regular trail until the lake, then optional #002, 6 and 7 to the village. It took us 1 day.
If you are traveling from Lonquimay don't ask in tourist info center about buses. Aparently they don't have a clue. We spent hours hitching after they advices.
*'''2020-Jan-17 / 1 day / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Tom & Maddie '''
Easy section, all roads in good condition and we didn’t run into any issues. Though the first bit after the bridge appears to be designed to avoid crossing paths with the private property owner. Nice enough to walk through but would recommend hitching if you have limited time. Good resupply in Icalma.
*'''2020-Jan-28 / 1 day / Hiking / SOBO / RR to Div 85 then crossed the Bio Bio / Frank '''
RR to Div 85 then I crossed the Bio Bio. Easy as water levels are low now but pick your spot as parts are deep. Continued on alternative routes South of Bio Bio & on South shore of lake. At least 3 shops in Icalma. Continued to Lake In/Out Camp $. Paid 10000 CLP to stay in a shed there as weather was poor. Camping will normally be a better option. No shops after Icalma.
=Resupply and Accommodation=
*2024 March - the shop marked provisiones that also sells clothes had 230g gas recharge canisters for 2900 CLP, but not the screw top type.
==Resupply and Accommodation in nearby Towns==
==Resupply and Accommodation along the Route==
=Transport to and from Route=
December 2024:
[[Archivo:ICALMATIMETABLE.jpg|thumbnailimage]]
*2024 March
Bus Icalma to Melipeuco
=Permits, Entry Fees and Right-of-Way Issues=
=Links to other Resources=