The name of the range derives from the Mapudungun words nahuel (jaguar) and futa (big).

[citation needed] Much of Cordillera Nahuelbuta is covered by pine and eucalyptus monoculture plantations.

[3] Historically Cordillera de Nahuelbuta and its surrounding valleys were the foci of the Arauco War.

The Spanish designs for this region was to exploit the placer deposits of gold around the range using unfree Mapuche labour from the densely populated valleys.

For this purpose the Spanish established a series of settlements and fortified houses around Cordillera de Nahuelbuta.