The tunnel was a crucial segment of the Ferrocaril Militar del Volcán, a railway line built primarily to support copper mining operations.
The structure is made of hand-laid fieldstone and mortar, reflecting construction techniques from the early 1900s.
The tunnel remains an unlit, natural environment, meaning the center point is pitch black during the day.
Local legends surrounding the tunnel are often tied to the death of Willy Farías, a figure frequently featured in Chilean ghost-hunting media.
The tunnel serves as a shortcut for hikers navigating the Cajón del Maipo mountain trails.
Tunel El Tinoco is a historic, unlit railway tunnel located in the Cajón del Maipo region of the Chilean Andes. Originally constructed for the El Volcán railway line, which connected Puente Alto to the copper mines of El Volcán, the tunnel has been out of service since the railway's decommissioning in the mid-20th century. Spanning approximately 120 meters in length, the structure is built with stone masonry and remains open to pedestrians as a site of industrial heritage. The tunnel is frequently associated with local urban legends, particularly regarding the death of a young woman named Willy Farías, which has cemented its reputation in regional folklore. The interior is dark and maintains a constant, cool temperature year-round due to the thick stone construction. Visitors use the tunnel to access hiking trails that lead toward the mountain peaks of the surrounding Andes. It serves as a vestige of the early 20th-century infrastructure efforts to industrialize the remote mountain valleys of the Metropolitan Region.
The tunnel entrance framing the mountain landscape, or the center point using a long-exposure shot with a light source.
Bring a high-powered flashlight or headlamp, as the tunnel interior is completely dark.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking boots, as the ground inside is uneven, rocky, and often muddy.
Exercise caution during rainy periods, as water runoff can make the tunnel floor slippery and cause falling debris from the ceiling.
Do not attempt to walk through the tunnel without a reliable light source, and avoid lingering if you notice signs of structural instability or falling rocks.
Avoid excessive noise to respect local legends and other hikers; pack out all trash to maintain the site's condition.
