36°54'28.4"S, 71°29'48.6"W Las Trancas Hideaway, Chile

The V-shaped building – accessed beneath a timber land bridge connecting to a decked terrace – has an open-plan kitchen diner and cosy living room on the upper floor. Set at ground level and below, sharing the same spectacular views, are three bedrooms. From the double bed in the master bedroom, only the glass in the picture window separates you from the wilderness beyond. Pairs of comfortable built-in bunk beds (on the lower floor) and a further two cabin beds in the other bedrooms make this a perfect escape for an adventure-seeking family or friends.

The interior has a minimal simplicity: solid wood tables and rustic, hand-hewn Tyrolean chairs; fleece-covered milking stools. A scattering of vintage and antique pieces sourced on the owner’s globetrotting travels – 1960s cane chairs, a retro travel poster – lend homely authenticity and personality.

Read more about the Las Trancas Hideaways in the interview with Nicolas del Rio here.

How far to the nearest…

• Resident neighbour 0.5km
• Shop 1km
• Town 1km
• Café 1km
• Ski lift 10km
• City 100km
• Airport 170km / 2hr drive

Location Rural and remote, yet close to ski resort and outdoor activities, giving you the best of both worlds.

Altitude 1,200m.

Build Sensitive footprint with minimal disruption to natural topography: carefully sited to slip between ancient oak and frost-bound lava rocks. Constructed with structural insulated panels (SIPs) and finished with local materials: clad in charred pine planks and lined with native Lingue wood.

Energy Wood-burning stove and central kachelofen – a traditional masonry stove providing heat via thermal mass radiation. SIPs ensure excellent energy efficiency. Water collected from local springs and waterfalls heated by gas boiler.

Digital detox No TVs. No high-tech gadgets.

Creature comforts WiFi on request only. Good phone signal. iPod dock and speakers. Coffee machine. Terrace with BBQ. Big lawn for playing. Treehouse.

Las Trancas’ mountain climate creates distinct seasons: snowfall in winter (Jun–Sep); ice melt and sunshine in spring (Oct–Dec); balmy heat in summer (Dec–Mar); mist and spectacular golden canopies in fall (Apr–Jun).

Go slow

Go hiking along native forest nature trails, beside rivers, beneath waterfalls. Try winter sports when the valley is snow-filled: heliskiing in Nevados de Chillán, snow shoeing, dog-sledding, cross-country skiing.

When spring drapes the valley in fresh foliage and blooms, ride mountain trails on horseback to find hidden fishing spots along the river, or view Chillán volcano’s hydrothermal steam vents. Burn energy with world-class mountain biking in the summer season: the Chillán Bike Park is South America’s biggest.

Sip regional wine with steak or fish at a rustic mountain hostel. Spend evenings at home by the wood-burning stove to share tales of craters climbed and trails conquered.