Resumo: In the pre-cordilleran area of Southern Chile, the cultural practices of the Mapuche communities contribute to a low-impact landscape management, enabling the conservation of the local natural and cultural heritage. Through a qualitative approach, this research shows that such a low impact derives in part from the way the local community coexists with its own living territory. From this relationship, a heritage landscape is generated. This landscape has to be specifically acknowledged and granted protection status so as to protect and conserve it from the threat of a market-led tourism which could significantly modify the landscape characteristics.