Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park is Chile ‘s oldest national park. Established in 1926, it protects 253,780 hectares of temperate rainforests, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and mountain environments, including Todos los Santos Lake and Osorno Volcano.

Imprescindibles

  • Visit the Petrohué River Waterfalls.
  • Explore Todos los Santos Lake by boat.
  • Visit Peulla.
  • Visit Laguna Verde.
  • Enjoy mountain activities and climb Osorno Volcano.
  • Hike the Paso Desolación trail.
  • Go rafting on the Petrohué River.
  • Explore the bike paths along the CH-225 and U-55-V roads.

    • Habilitado

    Open year-round.

    Superficie

    626,992 acres

    Clima

    Temperate rainy climate.

    Precipitaciones

    From 2,500 mm per year in Ensenada to 4,000 mm per year in Casa Pangue, at Pérez Rosales Pass.

    Ecosistema

    Temperate rainforest.

    Fecha de Creación

    August 17, 1926.

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    • © Guy Wenborne

    "The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."

    John Muir

    Flora

    The park’s forests are dominated by native evergreen species characteristic of the temperate rainforest, including coigüe, ulmo, tineo, lenga, canelo and mañío. Alerce trees can also be found in some areas.

    Fauna

    The park is home to at least 121 vertebrate species distributed across forests, lakes, rivers, wetlands and mountain environments. Notable species include the pudú deer, kodkod, puma and southern river otter. The park is also home to birds such as the Magellanic woodpecker, chucao bird and Andean condor, as well as the torrent duck and Darwin’s frog, which is associated with the humid environments of the forest.

    Cultura

    The territory has a long-standing Mapuche-Williche presence, as well as a history shaped by colonization processes that began in the area during the 19th century. This history is reflected in the memory, identity, traditions and ways in which local communities relate to the territory and nature.

    Infraestructura

    • Baños
    • Alojamiento
    • Camping
    • Restaurante
    • Centro de información
    • Senderos
    • Circuitos
    • Zona de Picnic

    Cómo llegar

    Petrohué River Waterfalls – Petrohué – Todos los Santos Lake Sector
    From Puerto Varas, take Route CH-225 toward Ensenada. From there, continue to the Petrohué River Waterfalls and then to Petrohué, on the shores of Todos los Santos Lake. This is one of the main access points to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and is served by public transportation year-round.

    La Picada and Gaviotas sectors
    From Puerto Octay, take Route U-55-V toward Las Cascadas. To reach La Picada, continue toward Puerto Klocker and then follow local roads to the Paso Desolación trailhead.

    From Puerto Octay, it is also possible to continue along Route U-55-V toward Gaviotas, where the trailhead for the Termas del Callao trail is located. This trail connects Rupanco Lake with Todos los Santos Lake.
    Cayutué Sector

    From Ensenada, take Route V-69 toward Ralún and then follow the road to the Cayutué sector. The road ends here and the route continues on foot toward Cayutué Lagoon.

    The sector lies on the boundary between the communes of Cochamó and Puerto Varas and is historically associated with the Vuriloche Pass, which was used since pre-Hispanic times and later during the circular missions of the 17th to 19th centuries.

    Peulla Sector
    From Puerto Varas, continue toward Puerto Petrohué along Route CH-225, where the boat crossing of Todos los Santos Lake to Peulla begins. From there, the route continues overland to Pérez Rosales Pass, connecting with Puerto Blest and then Bariloche, Argentina, via Frías Lake and Nahuel Huapi Lake.

    Osorno Volcano Sector
    From Ensenada, travel approximately 2.5 km north along Route U-55-V until it connects with Route V-555. From there, the road climbs the southern and western slopes of Osorno Volcano to the CONAF office, where climbers must register before ascending the summit.

    The Osorno Volcano Ski Center is located nearby and offers ski slopes, a café, restaurant and hostel.

    Senderos

    Los Enamorados Trail (Sector Saltos del Río Petrohué)

    • Dificultad

      Recreational

    • Duración

      45 min.

    • Distancia

      0.56 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    The Petrohué River Waterfalls sector includes the Los Enamorados, Carilemu and Petrohué River Waterfalls trails, which are interconnected and designed for recreation and interpretation. They pass through Valdivian rainforest and include viewpoints overlooking the river. The full route takes between 60 and 120 minutes

    Carilemu Trail (Sector Saltos del Río Petrohué)

    • Dificultad

      Interpretive

    • Duración

      45 min.

    • Distancia

      0.75 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    The Petrohué River Waterfalls sector includes the Los Enamorados, Carilemu and Petrohué River Waterfalls trails, which are interconnected and designed for recreation and interpretation. They pass through Valdivian rainforest and include viewpoints overlooking the river. The full route takes between 60 and 120 minutes

    Petrohué River Waterfalls Trail (Universal Accessibility) Petrohué River Waterfalls Sector

    • Dificultad

      Recreational

    • Duración

      30 min.

    • Distancia

      0.37 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    The Petrohué River Waterfalls sector includes the Los Enamorados, Carilemu and Petrohué River Waterfalls trails, which are interconnected and designed for recreation and interpretation. They pass through Valdivian rainforest and include viewpoints overlooking the river. The full route takes between 60 and 120 minutes

    Laguna Verde Trail (Universal Accessibility) Ensenada Sector

    • Dificultad

      Recreational

    • Duración

      20 min.

    • Distancia

      0.11 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    The Ensenada sector, located next to the CONAF offices, includes the Laguna Verde and Los Pilleyos trails, which take approximately 60 minutes combined. Laguna Verde passes through evergreen forest and offers views of the lagoon from above. Los Pilleyos extends north through volcanic terrain, with views of Llanquihue Lake and Osorno Volcano.

    Los Pilleyos Trail (Ensenada Sector)

    • Dificultad

      Recreational

    • Duración

      45 min.

    • Distancia

      0.75 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    The Ensenada sector, located next to the CONAF offices, includes the Laguna Verde and Los Pilleyos trails, which take approximately 60 minutes combined. Laguna Verde passes through evergreen forest and offers views of the lagoon from above. Los Pilleyos extends north through volcanic terrain, with views of Llanquihue Lake and Osorno Volcano.

    El Velo de la Novia Trail (Peulla Sector)

    • Dificultad

      Recreational

    • Duración

      20 min.

    • Distancia

      0.25 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    The Peulla sector includes the El Velo de la Novia and Cascada Los Helechos trails, which pass through the temperate rainforests of this area and offer the opportunity to explore its streams and waterfalls. Both are recreational trails providing different ways to experience the natural surroundings of Peulla.

    Termas Valle del Callao – Gaviotas (Hiking trails)

    • Dificultad

      Hiking

    • Duración

      Three days

    • Distancia

      15.53 miles

    • Habilitado

      Spring to fall

    A long-distance trail connecting Todos los Santos Lake with Rupanco Lake, crossing both Vicente Pérez Rosales and Puyehue national parks. The route passes through the Termas del Valle del Callao hot springs, Los Quetros Lagoon and Campanario Hill, and is characterized by its diversity of landscapes.

    Cerro Rigi – Vichadero (Hiking trails)

    • Dificultad

      Hiking

    • Duración

      4 hrs. one way

    • Distancia

      2.49 miles

    • Habilitado

      Summer

    A challenging trail that climbs Rigi and Vichadero hills along the border with Argentina. The steep slopes are rewarded with panoramic views of Frías Lake, the Argentine Andes and Puntiagudo, Puyehue, Osorno and Tronador volcanoes. Access from Chile begins at the road shelter on the Pérez Rosales Pass route, at approximately 1,000 m above sea level.

    Laguna Margarita (Hiking trails)

    • Dificultad

      Hiking

    • Duración

      3 hrs. one way

    • Distancia

      2.17 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    A challenging trail that climbs to Margarita Lagoon, located at high elevation and surrounded by rocky peaks and lenga forests. The route has an elevation gain of approximately 1,000 meters and offers views of Tronador Volcano. The landscape changes throughout the ascent, which is characterized by sustained physical demands.

    Paso Desolación Trail

    • Dificultad

      Hiking

    • Duración

      8 hrs. round trip

    • Distancia

      10.87 miles

    • Habilitado

      October–March

    The trail runs from La Picada to the Petrohué campground along the slopes of Osorno Volcano, with the volcano and Todos los Santos Lake as its main landmarks.

    Rincón del Osorno

    • Dificultad

      Hiking

    • Duración

      4 hrs. round trip

    • Distancia

      3.73 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    A trail that follows the shore of Todos los Santos Lake from the Petrohué campground to the Rincón del Osorno sector. It features natural viewpoints with views of Osorno Volcano, La Picada Hill and the lake. Part of the route overlaps with the Paso Desolación trail.

    Los Alerzales Trail

    • Dificultad

      Hiking

    • Duración

      4 hrs. 30 min. round trip

    • Distancia

      4.66 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    A trail that runs from the Petrohué campground to its connection with the Rincón del Osorno trail, crossing the slopes of Osorno Volcano. The route passes through different mountain landscapes and offers views of Osorno Volcano, Todos los Santos Lake and La Picada Hill.

    El Solitario

    • Dificultad

      Hiking

    • Duración

      2 hrs. one way

    • Distancia

      3.73 miles

    • Habilitado

      Year-round

    A trail along the southern slope of Osorno Volcano, connecting the road to the volcano with Route CH-225 toward Petrohué. It has an elevation gain of approximately 0.09 miles and passes through mountain forests and open areas without vegetation. It is recommended to hike it from the volcano toward Petrohué, taking advantage of the downhill route. Between fall and spring, the trail should be avoided during periods of rain and snowmelt due to hazardous conditions along the second section.

    Paso Vuriloche Trail

    • Dificultad

      Hiking

    • Duración

      7 days, one way

    • Distancia

      41.01 miles

    • Habilitado

      December–March

    The longest trail in the park, connecting Chile and Argentina through the Vuriloche border pass. It can be accessed from Río Blanco in Peulla; Ensenada, Cayutúe and Petrohué; and Portezuelo Cabeza de Vaca in Ralún. It can also be accessed from Argentina through Pampa Linda. This long-distance trek is known for its diversity of landscapes and scenic beauty.

    Consejos prácticos

  • Check current entrance fees and plan your visit through Pases Parques.
  • The Petrohué River Waterfalls are open from 9:00 a.m. Closing time is 5:00 p.m. in winter and 6:00 p.m. in summer.
  • The park has universally accessible trails at Laguna Verde, the Petrohué River Waterfalls and Sierra Santo Domingo.
  • Public transportation is available from Puerto Varas to the Petrohué and Todos los Santos Lake sectors.
  • Pets and exotic animals are not allowed, as they can disturb native wildlife or transmit diseases.
  • Drone use is prohibited inside the park, except for research or professional filming projects previously authorized by CONAF.
  • Trekking footwear suitable for muddy and wet conditions is recommended year-round.
  • The Municipality of Puerto Varas has a local ordinance regulating responsible visits to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.
  • During winter, check road conditions to Osorno Volcano before your visit. Snow chains or 4×4 vehicles may be required.
  • Along the Ensenada–Petrohué–Todos los Santos Lake route, check road conditions during periods of heavy rainfall, as landslides and debris flows may cause road closures.
  • Climbers must register with CONAF at the office next to the ski center before ascending Osorno Volcano. Staff will verify that visitors have the required technical equipment.
  • Visitor registration is mandatory before hiking. Registration must be completed in advance at CONAF ranger stations, and visitors must follow the instructions provided by park staff.
  • Boats entering Todos los Santos Lake must have the required authorizations from the Chilean Navy and CONAF. Check entry requirements and conditions in advance. Boats must be equipped with four-stroke engines and have all required documentation up to date.

    • Comunidades Aledañas

    Puerto Varas

    This town is known for its German influences, its beautiful views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, and Llanquihue Lake, Chile’s second largest lake.

    Ensenada

    Cochamó

    Sixty-nine miles from Puerto Montt, Cochamó is known for its valleys featuring granite walls beloved by climbers, as well as the Cochamó River, which attracts fly fishers from around the world.

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