An Oasis Just Outside Santiago

As you travel along Route G-25, you will become hypnotized by views of the Andes. The mountains begin to surround you just 15 km southeast of Santiago, past the municipality of La Florida, on a road that winds and ascends alongside the Maipo River.

The Cajón de Maipo has become an oasis for capital dwellers seeking fresh air and a respite from the bustle of the city. As if by magic, small mountain communities begin to appear just a few kilometers from Santiago, offering peace, a chance to connect with nature, traditional Chilean fare, and, if you enjoy outdoor activities, opportunities to practice adventure sports.

As you travel from west to east, you'll come across small country towns like Las Vertientes (home to a number of inns with swimming pools), El Manzano (offering terrific picnic areas), and San José de Maipo (the main town in the Cajón, filled with adobe houses and located not far from the Lagunillas Ski Center). Father along, in San Alfonso, you'll find top-shelf adventure tourism operators who organize Level 3 and 4 rafting trips down the Maipo River.

Towards the end of the line, you'll encounter Lo Valdés (km 70), which is right near Termas Valle de Colina and its natural 70ºC hot springs, and the El Morado, a natural monument that offers 3,000 hectares of trekking as well as climbing excursions on the area's main peaks (El Morado and San Francisco).

 

Featured Destinations

Cajón del Maipo		Pirque
Pomaire		Rancagua
Santa Cruz

Touristic Services

Accommodation		Tourism Agencies

Tours you can do

Andes		El Morado
World Heritage - Sewell		San Francisco de los Andes

 

Getting There By Car From downtown Santiago, take Avenida Vicuña Mackenna and turn east on Avenida Departamental. Follow the road to Av. La Florida and then take it south to Camino al Volcán. You can also take public transportation from the Bellavista de la Florida Metro Station (Line 5).