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Río Maichín: crystal-clear canyon whitewater near Curarrehue

Río Maichín guide near Curarrehue: class IV–V canyon run and class III–IV upper section, best flows, access and today’s live Maichín level.

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Where the Maichín runs

The Maichín rises in the mountains toward Reigolil, east of Curarrehue, and is the Trancura’s main tributary; below their junction the Trancura turns west toward Pucón. Its name is usually explained as Mapuche for “to make signs”, in the sense of waving a greeting. The water is very clear and the river is also known for its fishing.

Sections

• Lower Maichín (class IV–V): a 2–3 hour run through a beautiful canyon. The first kilometre is easy and passes under a bridge, then class IV drops begin. Achtung Baby is a class V+ rapid with several holes and three undercuts; it is often portaged on the left, but the seal launch at the end of that portage pushes you toward an undercut wall, so take care. Later a crux rapid is usually scouted from the right, and its second part cannot be seen from shore. The run combines well with the Puesco on the same day.
• Upper Maichín (class III–IV): from Puente Basas Chico (about 745 m elevation) to Puente Maichín, 6.5 km by road. About 1 km below the put-in the river enters a 1.5 km gorge of columnar basalt with straightforward drops you can scout from eddies. Beware a dangerous strainer just below the put-in bridge. Average gradient is about 80 feet per mile.

Season and typical flows

The lower Maichín is best in December and early January, when flows around 28–42 m³/s (1,000–1,500 cfs) make powerful holes and long rapids. It is run through January to March, but falling water takes away the punch and can leave it rocky. Running it at winter high water is strongly discouraged unless you already know the river. The upper run goes in winter and spring at up to roughly 28 m³/s and into early summer down to a minimum of about 11 m³/s (400 cfs).

How to read our Maichín gauge

The Maichín has its own DGA station, Río Maichín en Puente Quiñenahuín, shown live on our Pucón page. Compare it with the 28–42 m³/s “prime” window above. The Maichín reading is also subtracted in our Palguín estimate.

Access

Drive about 36 km east from Pucón to Curarrehue. On the east side of town, cross the Trancura bridge following signs to Reigolil. After 8.5 km you reach a high bridge over the Maichín; cross it, turn left and go about 2 km downstream to the take-out, where a 100 m walk across a field reaches the river. This is private land: don’t block the gate or park inside. The put-in is about 6 km further up the Reigolil road, where the river comes within about 10 m of the road.

Safety

Undercuts are the main hazard on Achtung Baby. Scout the crux and set safety. High water turns the canyon into a much more serious place.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best flow for the Maichín?

Rivers of Chile points to about 28–42 m³/s (1,000–1,500 cfs), typically in December and early January.

Where can I see the Maichín water level today?

On <a href="https://chilewaterlevels.com/pucon/">chilewaterlevels.com/pucon</a>, from the DGA station at Puente Quiñenahuín.

Provisional real-time data from DGA Chile. Always scout and check conditions on the river.

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Sources: riversofchile.com/rio-maichin · riversofchile.com/rio-machin-upper · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trancura_River · Updated 2026-10-26