Messy bun. Muddy trail. Big heart.

I’m Karin — a Chilean ultra runner, environmentalist, and eternal ideas plotter.
This is my little corner in the internet where I share my love for nature, my “crazy” camping trips and other stories that might come to mind.

Woman taking a selfie on a mountain trail with a wide view of desert hills and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of pink and yellow flowers growing in dry soil and grass.
A plush monkey toy sits on a large rock near a lake in a mountainous landscape, with snow-capped peaks and rocky terrain in the background.

Hola, I’m Karin!


I was born in Chile, and somehow ended up trail running in Australia, solo camping in Patagonia, and explaining to locals in Bali why I have a stuffed monkey in my backpack.

Chili Trails is my space to share the slow, “fun” adventures that connect us to nature, purpose, and the people we become when things get a little uncomfortable (and a lot beautiful).

I started out studying to be a wildlife vet, ended up diving with stingrays in the Great Barrier Reef, and then found myself fighting plastic pollution through campaigns and policy work. I even worked cooking on a boat!

But the real deal? I found that what really sparks joy for me is to go outside. Simple as that. Either cycling, running, diving…my partner says I do have too many hobbies lol.

I’ve run the full length of the Yarra River to raise awareness about river health.
I’ve biked solo across Tasmania with quinoa, tent, and a cockatoo (yes, I rescued one while riding lol).
I’ve camped alone under ancient trees, sketched with a headlamp, and cried happy tears while watching some mountain goats in Spain.

Now, due to the interesting turns in life, I live between countries and trailheads, working as a freelance environmental fundraising consultant while chasing big adventures and meaningful connection through Chili Trails.

This isn’t a brand. It’s my trail journal — equal parts sweat, injinji socks, bugs, wonder…and a monkey! Or maybe this is the manifestation of my middle life crisis…

Anyway, thanks for coming along!

Fuel the chaos? ☕
I’m out here riding bikes, chasing stories, and hoping granola counts as a meal.

If you’ve ever thought “she looks like she needs a coffee”… you’re probably right.

You can shout me a coffee here if you wanna support me. Muchas gracias! 💛

What I Believe

  • Best thing to get out of a “meh” stage in life? GO OUTSIDE! Hug a tree, touch grass, etc. Nature does makes things better.

  • A good advice my dad gave me is to keep going forward, with life, with your body, etc. Always move. And the truth is that magical things happened when I kept moving. And oh boy! The places I have gone just by keep things “moving”.

  • For many many years I lost my creative spark. Like gone, finito, adios. And yes, you guessed it! While camping in Cochamó I just started painting again! Now, I take my tiny watercolour set everywhere I go.

  • No one is perfect, not even nature, and that’s beautiful in itself. Imperfection is your best friend for learning and going for it. Many times I wondered if I was ready for xyz challenge after an “imperfect” training and prep. As long as you nail safety, you are good to go ;)

  • People are too serious these days. The reality is that having a laughter is the biggest power move for many situations in life. But also, joy is a universal language when traveling to exotic places. “Bahagia” (happy) is the way!

A plush doll wearing a Statue of Liberty costume holding a tiny torch, with the Statue of Liberty in the background.
A blue auto rickshaw with a black front grill, a stuffed monkey toy attached to the grill, and a yellow license plate number K14 TA 2470, parked on a paved roadside with green trees in the background.
A stuffed monkey plush toy with a real monkey in the background, sitting on a stone ledge outdoors with green trees and a cloudy sky.

Meet Yoko

Yes — I travel with a monkey.
Yoko has been with me for over 30 years, but he’s actually around 60. Yup, that old! He originally belonged to my uncle Mutti, who passed away when I was 7. So, when I inherited Yoko, I promised him we would see the places my uncle never would.

Since then, Yoko has “hiked” trails, crossed borders, seen volcanoes, rivers, beaches, and jungles — always tucked safely into my bag. He’s my little guardian monkey, and a reminder that we carry our people with us, even when they’re gone.

He’s also a great listener and a good ice breaker.

And he almost got adopted by a couple of Bolivian girls, but I said no to trading him for a llama.

A woman standing on a large rock next to a narrow canyon with colorful mineral deposits on the rock wall.

Got a wild story to share? Dreaming about your first solo hike? Want to talk trails, gear, or giant cicadas?

Let’s grab a virtual cafecito and chat about it.
Zero pressure. Just two humans and whatever magic happens when you slow down to connect.

Wanna Collaborate?

I work with brands and orgs that give a damn — about the planet, people, and purposeful storytelling.

From gear reviews to creative campaigns, I bring real-world testing, grounded storytelling, and a no-BS approach that feels… human. If your project aligns with the wild, the kind, and the curious — I’m in.