In the wild heart of Chile’s Los Ríos Region, in the south of the country, lies one of the Pacific’s most jealously guarded treasures: Colún Beach. More than just a stretch of sand, this is a place where time seems to stand still and nature reveals itself in its most pristine state, a “wild paradise” where a giant dune merges with an ancient coastal forest Chile and the immensity of a brave ocean, creating a landscape as magical as it is isolated.
What makes Colún Beach truly unique is its remote character and difficult access. Extending for over 9 kilometers of pristine white sand, there are no direct roads for vehicles. Getting here is an adventure in itself: a vigorous 4 to 5-hour hike from Chaihuín, a horseback ride accompanying locals who offer equestrian tours, or a sea excursion by boat, provided the tide allows and locals give their consent. This inaccessibility is precisely what has allowed Colún Beach to remain an almost untouched sanctuary, a refuge for those seeking the true essence of wild nature.
Colún’s landscape is a tapestry of fascinating ecosystems. Adjacent to the beach, a mysterious inland lagoon, Laguna Colún, is fed by springs and streams, creating a coastal wetland of rich biodiversity. This ecosystem is a vital home for migratory birds and endemic species, and its flora, with giant nalcas and tree ferns of the Valdivian Rainforest, evokes a prehistoric world. Some whisper that, at sunset, the lagoon takes on “ghostly reflections,” fueling local legends lost to time.
But it is the giant dunes Chile of Colún that capture the imagination. Imposing and constantly moving, these sand masses glide with the Pacific wind. However, what’s most unique are the fossil dunes or “paleodunes,” formed millennia ago and now partially covered by vegetation, creating a surreal relief. Walking among them, with the view split between the sea, the forest, and the lagoon, is an almost dreamlike experience.
As night falls, Colún’s isolation reveals another of its treasures: an absolutely spectacular night sky. Far from any light pollution, the stars and the Milky Way unfurl with a clarity that seems to touch the Pacific Ocean Chile, offering an unforgettable celestial spectacle. Under this stellar canopy, the ancient magic of the land resonates. The Mapuche and Huilliche peoples, ancestral guardians of these lands, consider this place a sacred space, a point of connection with the forces of nature and spirit. Some Huilliche families still recount stories of traveling souls that cross the forest and appear as dancing lights on the beach, enriching the already mystical atmosphere.
Access to the beach traverses a fragment of the Valdivian Rainforest, one of the oldest ecosystems on the planet, a treasure of Chile’s biodiversity. Unique species such as ulmo, tineo, tepa, and luma grow here. This forest, often underestimated by hikers, harbors secrets like edible and medicinal fungi collected by local inhabitants, “singing woods” (fallen trees that produce a special echo when gently tapped), and ritual plants like the canelo, considered sacred by the Mapuche worldview.
The Pacific’s energy is omnipresent in Colún. The waves are powerful, and the wind can be challenging. It’s not an ideal beach for swimming in its turbulent waters, but it is perfect for feeling the ocean’s raw power. The constant sound of crashing waves and whistling wind creates a meditative, almost mystical atmosphere that invites reflection.
In summary, Colún Beach is an adventure tourism Chile destination for the soul. Its isolation, the unique combination of dunes, lagoon, forest, and sea, its ancient legends, the starry sky, and the untamed force of the ocean make it one of Chile’s true secret beaches, a place where nature speaks and the spirit finds a home.
