It was declared a National Park in 1935 due to its great importance as one of the world's most interesting places to study botany. In 1977 it was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve.

The National Park has a surface area of 9,571 hectares. It is 667 km off the coast of Continental Chile, and includes the islands of Santa Clara, Alexander Selkirk and most of Robinson Crusoe island. You can get there by air (a 2-3 hour trip) or by sea (25-72 hours, depending on the vessel).

Within the protected area, a series of activities can be carried out, including camping in the Los Cañones area of El Palillo, a town in San Juan Bautista.

This area is located 600 meters from the park administration and has drinking water and sanitary services as well as picnic tables and trash bins.

Within the Park there are various trails to the Alejandro Selkirk Lookout Point, to the Villagra Sector and to the Airport. The first is 2,700 meters long and the trip there takes an hour and a half. On the way, there is a panoramic view of Robinson Crusoe Island and the flowers in the Park may be admired.

It is a moderate difficulty trail, because practically the whole way is uphill, with a 30° gradient. On the way there are interpreting stations and a guide is not necessary.

The trail to the Villagra sector is 5 km long, and is the continuation of the lookout point trail. On the way -time on the outward trip is around 3 hours- one may observe native fauna and flora. It is of moderate difficulty.

The airport road is 13 km long (a seven hour walk, approximately). It enables a panoramic view of Santa Clara Island. It is of moderate difficulty.

Source: www.sernatur.cl