The Radal 7 Tazas National Park lies in the Región del Maule in the southern Central Chile.
background
About 60 km east of Molina-Curicó is the Radal Las Siete Tazas National Park - also known as a reserve. The park covers more than 4,000 hectares and extends along the Rio Claro river. Several campsites and many hiking trails offer the opportunity to go on one-day or multi-day tours through the park. The access roads to the park are still paved to make it easier for visitors to get there.[1]
history
landscape
Flora and fauna
climate
getting there
The park is located around 70 km east of the small town of Molina (around 15 km from Curicó away). The approach road is not paved.
From Molina there is also a daily minibus for around € 1.50. The journey takes a little more than 1.5 hours. On weekdays and Saturdays (including public holidays) it starts at 5:00 p.m. and only goes back early in the morning. For one-day tours, therefore, only the Sunday is recommended, on which the bus starts at 8:30 a.m. in Molina and leaves again at 5 p.m. in Radal (terminus).
From the village of Radal it is about 6 km on foot (follow the road) to the "seven cups" or about 10 km to Parque Inglés.
Only in summer (January to the first week of March) do more buses run, also to the higher Parque Inglés.
Fees / permits
The entrance fee for the national park is around 4 euros for foreigners and 2 euros for Chileans. The passport number is required when entering the park.
mobility
Only the buses mentioned. Because of the poor quality of the road, cycling is not an option.
Depending on the season and the weather, there are different numbers of cars on the route between Molina and the National Park. Hitchhiking is common and widespread due to the few bus connections. However, not everyone from Molina drives to the park.
Tourist Attractions
On the one hand, the waterfalls (e.g. Salto El Velo de la Novia) on the edge of the gravel path between Radal and the lower park entrance are worth seeing.
In the lower part of the park area, the natural barrages ("seven cups") are particularly worth seeing. If you follow the course of the Rio Claro further upwards you will reach the Salto de la Leona (approx. 50 m high waterfall).
From the mountain slopes near Parque Inglés, where the second park entrance is located, there are great views of the Andes, including the Descabezado volcano (3830 m). It can also be a multi-day tour to the neighboring (more southerly) national park Altos de Lircay be made. Before doing this, however, you should definitely find out about the route (CONAF or personal guide) and the weather forecast.
activities
to buy
to eat and drink
It is better to bring food with you. In Radal and Parque Inglés there are very small shops that offer the essentials (drinks, small snacks).
There are no places to stop for a break, at least outside of the summer season.
Sleep
Hotels and hostels
camping
In Radal (terminus of the minibus) there are several camping options, some directly on the river. There is a campsite in Parque Inglés.
