Cachapoal Province brings together the Andean foothills, copper history and traditional handicrafts. In the Río de Los Cipreses National Reserve, different vegetation formations meet; elsewhere, Sewell, archaeological walls and local materials tell other stories about the province. Which discoveries you focus on depends on whether you would rather explore landscapes, trails, history or craft traditions.

Andean Landscapes and Short Trails

The Río de Los Cipreses National Reserve in Machalí includes vegetation formations of the Andean foothill steppe, as well as sclerophyllous forest and scrubland. It also has stands of Andean cypress. Wildlife is another part of the reserve’s character: species found there include guanacos, pumas, culpeo foxes, tricahue parakeets and condors. Its plant formations and wildlife give the reserve a distinctive natural character, setting it apart from the province’s cultural attractions.

For a short hike, the Las Arpas Trail is a clearly defined option: this easy trail is one kilometer long and takes 30 minutes in total. Its length, duration and difficulty rating make it easy to distinguish from the much longer sections of the Sendero de Chile, where trail conditions may differ.

Routes and Seasonal Options

A 2012 tourism description gives the Cerrito San Juan section of the Sendero de Chile as 14 kilometers long and locates it in the foothills of the municipality of Machalí. The 11-kilometer Hacienda Sauzal section follows part of the former Rancagua–Sewell railway line. The two sections therefore differ not only in length but also in their described routes. If you plan to hike either trail, check current trail conditions in advance.

A 2012 tourism description says that the Acueducto de Cal y Canto in Machalí can be reached on horseback or via a trekking route. Here, too, it is advisable to check current trail conditions before visiting. A 2012 inventory lists the ski area of Centro de Ski Chapa Verde in Machalí as covering 1,200 hectares. If you are considering a ski trip, check seasonal operating information in advance.

Copper History and Historic Sites

Sewell is located in the municipality of Machalí, at an altitude of over 2,200 meters on the barren slopes of the Chilean Andes, above the El Teniente underground copper mine. The former mining settlement has more than 100 years of history and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006. Its altitude, location and connection to the mine make Sewell a distinctive part of the province’s history, which cannot be reduced to a single attraction.

A 2012 tourism inventory describes the Museo de la Gran Minería del Cobre in Sewell as holding a collection about copper production at El Teniente, including documents, maps, geological materials, products, photographs and instruments. The Pukara del Cerro de la Compañía in Codegua offers a different historical perspective. Indigenous peoples built defensive walls there at different elevations on the hill. The walls’ arrangement at different heights is a specific feature of the site.

The Termas de Cauquenes in Machalí are also part of the province’s history: a 2012 tourism description counts them among Chile’s oldest thermal spa centers. This offers a different way to explore local history than Sewell’s mining history or the archaeological site of the Pukara.

Handicrafts Made from Copper, Plant Fibers and Stone

A 2012 tourism description recounts how artisans in Machalí made copper objects and jewelry, displayed them in workshop galleries and demonstrated their craft skills there. By contrast, artisans in Pichidegua work with corn husks: leaves collected in summer are used to make baskets, placemats, flowers, decorative objects and figurines. These two examples show how varied the materials and products are across the province.

In Pelequén, stonemasons work traditional pink Rigolemu stone into cladding, tiles and paving stones, as well as decorative and household objects. Together with the copperwork from Machalí and corn-husk crafts from Pichidegua, this offers a vivid comparison of metal, plant material and stone. Those interested in handicrafts can discover several distinct forms of local design rather than a single uniform tradition.

Discover more destinations: Rancagua, Las Cabras, Machalí, Mostazal, Malloa, Peumo, Rengo, San Vicente, Pichidegua, Requinoa.

For the broader travel overview: Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins Region.