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The landscape of this beautiful reserve
is dominated by the presence of forests typical of the central
zone of Chile: there are oaks, hualos, coigues and nirres. The
diverse colors of the trees, especially between fall and winter,
form a stunning contrast with the snow of the high peaks. In the
month of May the color of the deciduous forest is particularly
intense.
The Claro river, which passes by
the southern boundary of the reserve boasts cold, crystalline
water which over millions of years has worn down the basalt rock
into spectacular shapes, like the ‘Siete Tazas’ (seven cups),
el Salto de la Leona, and the Velo de la Novia (Bride's Veil)
waterfalls. Despite it being named after one of the waterfalls,
the park actually hosts around 22 cascades along the Claro river.
The park is a state-protected area,
but it is possible to pursue activities such as, kayaking, camping,
and mountain-biking as well as walking, wildlife observation and
photography.
NATURAL
HERITAGE
The topography of the area is rugged,
exhibiting high peaks and crags, especially on the banks of the
Claro river, but also some smoother slopes in Parque Inglés.
Of the main summits, the peaks of El Alto (6,645 ft above sea
level), El Frutillar (5,510 ft), El Fraillle (4,674 ft), and El
Cordon de Guamparo (7,038 ft) stand out.
The basis of the river system is
the Claro river, which corresponds to the southern boundary of
the area. The main streams are the Campo, Toro and Radal, which
empty their waters close to the eastern boundary of the area.
The source of these streams is permanent
and the waters are remarkably clean. Both they and the Claro river
are important sources of water for the irrigation of the central
valley.
The pre-Andean mountain range zone
where the Radal Siete Tazas is located, is a place for sclerophyllus
vegetation, typical to the Mediterranean-like zones of central
Chile, and the humid forests of the south. Large terebinth shrubs,
Andean beeches, oaks and laurels grow together with soapbark trees,
litres and peumos. In the driest part of the hills, you can see
cactus and chaguales, typical of the more northern zones.
The vegetation of the area is hugely
diverse, especially in the southern part. In particular, there
are species of Southern Beech found here, and species classified
as ‘vulnerable’ in the ‘Simposio de Flora Arborea y Arbustiva
de Chile con Problemas de Conservacion’ (Symposium of Chilean
Arboreal and Shrub-like Flora with Preservation Trouble). They
are for example, Santiago oak, coigue, nirre, hazel tree, laurel
and long-leaf 'manio'.
The most famous fauna in the area
are the mammals and the birds. You can find pudu,
pumas,
red
and grey
foxes, guinas and chingues. Two of the three species of marsupial
in the country can also be found here: the yaca and the mountain
monkey.
Among the birds, it is worth mentioning
the burrowing parrot, classified ‘in danger of extinction’, chilean
pigeons, austral parakeets, peregrin falcons, condors,
eagles,
white-tailed kite, red backed hawk, black woodpeckers, torrent
ducks and many others.
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