Villarrica Volcano

Villarrica rises to 2,847 metres directly above the resort town of Pucón, a textbook snow-covered cone that glows red at night when the lava lake in its crater is active, and it is among the most consistently active volcanoes in South America. Remarkably, it can be climbed in a day by anyone reasonably fit, with a guide, crampons and an ice axe, on a route that starts at the ski area and works up snow and scoria for five or six hours to a rim where you can look down into a smoking crater and, in the right conditions, glimpse molten rock. The view from the top runs across the lake district's chain of lakes and other volcanoes, and the descent is fast and undignified, sliding down snow chutes on a plastic seat. Climbs are cancelled without notice when activity rises or weather closes in.

What you actually see

• The crater rim - looking down into the smoking, sometimes glowing crater.
• The summit view - lakes and other volcanic cones across the Lake District.
• The snow descent - sliding back down the chutes on a plastic sledge seat.
• The cone from Pucón - the mountain above the town, red-lit at night when active.

When to go

October to March is the climbing season, with the most settled weather and firm snow; winter closes the route to general climbing. Ascents start before dawn to be off the mountain before afternoon weather. Volcanic activity can raise the alert level and close the climb entirely at any time.

Honest expectations

It is sold as accessible and it is, but it is still six hours of steep snow at altitude with crampons, and the last section is hard work; people turn back regularly. Climbs are cancelled at short notice for weather or volcanic activity, so allow spare days if you have set your heart on it. Gas at the rim can be irritating and masks are issued. Only licensed guided groups may climb.

Nearby

Pucón, Lake Villarrica and the hot springs and araucaria forests of the region are all close.