Villarrica Volcano hosts South American orienteering 12-15 November

The South American Orienteering Championship will use Villarrica Volcano (Rucapillán) as a competition setting from 12 to 15 November 2026, with races on the lower slopes near Pucón, Chile. The programme brings long-distance and middle-distance courses to Villarrica National Park before a final sprint in the town.

South American orienteering reaches Villarrica's lower slopes

The Chilean Orienteering Federation and the organising committee have scheduled SAOC2026 across Pucón and its surrounding areas. The official programme places the Long Distance and Middle Distance races in the northeastern part of Villarrica National Park, on the lower slopes of the volcano.

The championship began on 12 November 2026 with accreditation, a model or training event and an opening ceremony. The Long Distance competition follows on 13 November, while the Middle Distance race is scheduled for 14 November. The closing Sprint competition takes place on 15 November in Pucón Municipal Park. The official SAOC2026 programme also identifies the Osvaldo Muñoz Carrillo Municipal Stadium as the event centre.

Volcanic terrain shapes the championship courses

The two forest races are set between 550 and 1,200 metres above sea level. Organisers describe native vegetation, old lava flows and traces of volcanic eruptions across terrain designed for technically demanding navigation.

Two mountain rivers cross the competition area, with crossings limited to points marked by the organisers. The programme also notes that nesting areas for protected species may be marked as prohibited zones on competition maps. This makes the event more than a name attached to the landscape: the volcano's lava-shaped lower terrain is part of the courses themselves.

Villarrica Volcano rises to 2,847 metres and is protected within the national park. The Chile Travel profile describes it as one of South America's most active volcanoes and places its forest trails and lava caves within the park setting. The summit route is a high-mountain activity, separate from the lower-slope orienteering venues.

Visiting Villarrica Volcano: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The South American Orienteering Championship runs from 12 to 15 November 2026, with the lower-slope races in Villarrica National Park and the event centre at Osvaldo Muñoz Carrillo Municipal Stadium in Pucón.
• The Long Distance and Middle Distance courses are in the northeastern park sector, while the Sprint is listed for Pucón Municipal Park; the programme does not describe the volcano summit as a competition venue.
• Pucón is south of Temuco in Chile's Araucanía Region, and the event centre is at Colo Colo Street 475.
• The competition terrain reaches 1,200 metres above sea level and includes native forest, lava-shaped ground and two mountain rivers.
• Spanish is the official language and the national currency is the Chilean peso.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Villarrica Volcano

When does the South American Orienteering Championship take place at Villarrica Volcano?

SAOC2026 runs from 12 to 15 November 2026. The Long Distance and Middle Distance races use the volcano's lower slopes within Villarrica National Park.

Where is Villarrica Volcano and how do you get there?

The volcano is near Pucón in Chile's Araucanía Region, south of Temuco. The championship's event centre is at Osvaldo Muñoz Carrillo Municipal Stadium in Pucón.

What is Villarrica Volcano?

It is an active Chilean volcano rising to 2,847 metres within Villarrica National Park. Its lower slopes include native forests and terrain shaped by ancient lava flows.