GRADUAL REOPENING OF PROTECTED AREAS |
|
Stay informed about the latest reopening dates for national parks and their sanitary protocols for visiting via the official Conaf website |
GRADUAL REOPENING OF PROTECTED AREAS |
|
Stay informed about the latest reopening dates for national parks and their sanitary protocols for visiting via the official Conaf website |
The trees of Alerce Andino National Park come from an old and storied lineage. This regional ecosystem remained isolated from the glaciers that covered the area 12 thousand years ago. Today, its forests are a global icon of endemic fauna––one in three species in this forest is not found anywhere else on the planet. Vertical walls of granite surround the park’s fifty or so lagoons, and its rugged geography has long protected millennia-old Alerce (Fitzroya) trees that grow over more than half of the park’s surface. This priceless ecosystem can be found south of Lake Chapo and is classified as a Biosphere
The Alerce (Fitzroya) trees are present in nearly 50 thousand acres of the park. Other tree species include Olivillo, Ulmo, Tepú, Mañío, Canelo, Coigüe, Lenga, and others.
The park is home to species such as the Monito del Monte, the Pudú Deer, the Güiña (Kodkod), the Gray Fox, and the Chingue (Molina’s Hog-Nosed Skunk). Its lakes are habitats for the Black-Necked Swan, the Coscoroba Swan, and the Mallard. Perch Trout have also been spotted. For birds, it’s possible to spot the Magellanic Woodpecker, the Cachaña (Austral Parakeet), the Chucao, the Hued Hued, and the Cachudito (Tufted Tit-Tyrant), among others.
The Huilliche people, or “people of the south,” navigated the waters of Lake Chapo and the Reloncaví Estuary in dalcas, boats made from wooden planks and bark. They hunted and collected seeds, fruits, and mushrooms in the forest.
Alerce Andino Park has two entrances. The first, located 29 miles from Puerto Montt, provides access to the Correntoso and Sargazo sectors of the park. From Puerto Montt, take Route 7 in the direction of Chamiza. Before crossing the Chamiza bridge, turn left on the V-65 route and continue toward Correntoso for 12 miles. From there, take the one-mile detour to the right, which leads to the Correntoso sector rangers’ office. This area features a hiking trail (Huillifoten), a camping area, and picnic areas. From the Correntoso sector, continue 1.5 miles to the Sargazo bridge. From there, continue 6 miles east until you reach the Sargazo port, a sector that has different trails (Los Ulmos, Sargazo, Radal and Alerces Cathedral–Laguna Fría), a picnic area, and a mountain lodge.
The second entrance to the park is via the Lenca sector. From Puerto Montt, take Route 7 toward Caleta la Arena. Around half a mile after you pass the Lenca bridge, continue along the gravel road on the left (Route V-701) for 4.5 miles until you reach the Chaica sector. This area of the park features some trails open year-round (El Encanto, Los Canelos, Salto la Chaica, Alerce Milenario) and others that can only be accessed in summer, since they involve crossing the La Plata River (Laguna Chaiquenes and Laguna Triángulo Trails). It also features campsites enabled only for hikers («El Chucao») and picnic areas.
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
1 hour (out and back)
Distance
1.25 miles total
Open
Year-round
A hike to lookout points that provide a view of the forest and the Chamiza river valley.
Starting point: Correntoso Sector
Type: Loop
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
30 minutes
Distance
0.5 miles
Open
Year-round
A short loop ideal for birdwatching.
Starting point: Sargazo Sector
Type: Loop
Difficulty
Intermediate / Easy
Duration
1.5 hours (out and back)
Distance
1.5 miles total
Open
Year-round
A trail comprised of wooden boardwalks that leads to a beautiful lake surrounded by native forest, mostly of Alerce trees.
Starting point: Sargazo Sector
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty
Intermediate / Easy
Duration
50 minutes (out and back)
Distance
1.25 miles total
Open
Year-round
The first part of the Laguna Fría trail, which leads to a 2,500-year-old Alerce tree.
Starting point: Sector Sargazo
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty
Intermediate / Advanced
Duration
10 hours to Laguna Fría (out and back)
Distance
6.2 miles
Open
Currently under construction
Currently under construction, this route features a main trail toward Laguna Fría, with detours that lead to a forest of radal trees and the “Alerce Cathedral.”
Starting point: Sargazo Sector
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty
Intermediate / Easy
Duration
20 minutes (out and back)
Distance
0.4 miles
Open
Year-round
A relaxed walk that begins in the parking lot of the Chaica sector.
Starting point: Chaica Sector
Type:Out and back
Difficulty
Intermediate / Easy
Duration
30 minutes (out and back)
Distance
0.6 miles
Open
Year-round
A short, educational walk, ideal for families, that begins 100 feet from the main entrance to the park.
Starting point: Chaica Sector
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty
Intermediate / Easy
Duration
1.5 hours (out and back)
Distance
2.5 miles total
Open
Year-round
A trail that leads to a waterfall and a 3,000-year-old Alerce tree.
Starting point: Chaica Sector
Difficulty
Intermediate / Easy
Duration
6 hours to Laguna Triángulo (out and back)
Distance
3.9 miles to Chaiquenes and 5.9 miles to Chaica
Open
Only in summer
A mountain hike only accessible in summer that leads to beautiful lagoons surrounded by native forest. To access this trail, you must wade across the La Plata River; there is no bridge.
Starting point: Chaica Sector
Type: Out-and-back
Home to 30% of the population of the Los Lagos Region, this city is the main gateway into Chilean Patagonia and the starting point of the Route of Parks.
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.
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