Written by Rebecca Argo
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
The Chilean daily La Tercera reported Monday that the “Sendero de Chile” project, a hking trail the length of Chile designed to promote ecotourism, will not open until 2038.
Originally slated for completion by Chile’s 2010 bicentennial, the Sendero de Chile will be the “longest trekking route in the world,” said Oscar Santelices, head of Chile’s National Tourism Service (SERNATUR) (ST, FEB. 1). Still, only 1,800 km of the planned 8,500 km have been constructed. The finished section, lying between Arica and Navarino Island, only amounts to a fraction of the projected path. A private foundation will now direct the project.
The Sendero de Chile project was first conceived by former President Ricardo Lagos in 2002. At that time, he described the initiative as, “A pedestrian hiking path that would cover Chile along our mountains, from Visviri in the north to the extreme south. It would pay tribute to our (country’s) beautiful nature and allow people to explore by our country by foot. More than a government idea, it is a decision that will benefit future generations” (ST, Nov. 14, 2002).
However, at the time of the announcement, there was no planned outline or estimated budget for the path. There wasn’t even a construction company selected for the job.
National General Manager of the project, Sebastian Infante, defended the project by saying, “We are delayed just like anyone else in the world would be.” He noted that the Transcanadian Trail that took 35 years to complete and said that 200 kilometers will be added to the trail in 2008 alone.
SOURCES: LA TERCERA
By Rebecca Argo (editorATsantiagotimes.cl)
rafting chile
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