Opening of the La Chiricoca Trail in Parque La Giganta: A New Milestone for Conservation in the Aconcagua Valley

A few weeks ago, the La Chiricoca Trail was officially inaugurated at Parque La Giganta — a privately protected area under a Derecho Real de Conservación agreement (the Chilean equivalent of a Conservation Easement) with Fundación Tierra Austral. This milestone highlights the urgency and importance of working collaboratively to conserve the Aconcagua Valley.

The trail, completely redesigned by CONAF (Chile’s National Forest Corporation) during the last few months through the “Siembra por Chile” program, now features upgraded infrastructure and new signage standards that will enable visitors to explore it more safely, while enhancing its role as both an educational resource and a space to connect with local biodiversity.

The event began with a welcome reception at the park entrance, followed by opening remarks from the administration. Guests then joined a guided walk along the renewed trail, where they learned about native species such as the quisquito rosado and its relationship with the giant hummingbird, among other blooms that enrich the local ecosystem. The tour concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Cascada Petrificada, one of the trail’s most emblematic sites.