Hornopirén National Park, “snow oven” in Mapudungún, forms part of the regional ecosystem of evergreen temperate rainforests. It is known for its rich biodiversity, high levels of endemic species, and thousands-of-years-old trees. This park is part of the World Biosphere Reserve of Temperate Rainforests of the Austral Andes. It features nearly 22,240 acres of Alerce trees. The Hornopirén Volcano, although not within park limits, crowns this landscape of mountain valleys sculpted by snowdrifts, lakes, lagoons, and rivers such as the Puelo Chico, the Ventisquero, and the Blanco, which flows into the Comau Fjord, in Huailahué.

Download the CONAF’s brochure here

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Can’t Miss

  • Walk to Lake Pinto Concha
  • Visit the Río Blanco Waterfall.
  • Explore the evergreen forest of Alerce, Tepa, Ulmo, and Luma trees, among other species
  • Hornopirén Volcano, with a peak of 5157 feet above sea level
  • Yates Volcano, with a peak of 6926 feet above sea level

Open

Year-Round
We recommend visiting between November - March

Area

170,985 acres

Climate

Rainy and mild

Rainfall

89 inches annually

Ecosystem

Temperate Rainforest

Founded

October 19, 1988

"Mosses and other small beings issue an invitation to dwell for a time right at the limits of ordinary perception. All it requires of us is attentiveness. Look in a certain way and a whole new world can be revealed."

Robin Wall Kimmerer

Flora

Part of the World Biosphere Reserve of Temperate Rainforests, the park features many tree species, including Alerce, Coigüe, Mañío, Luma, Tepu, and Tineo, as well as Lenga trees at its higher altitudes.

Fauna

There are around 25 species of mammals in the park, including Pumas, Guiñas (Kodkod), Quiques, Foxes, Pudús, and Coipos. There have been 123 species of birds registered in the park, including the Chucao, the Hued Hued, the Black Woodpecker, the Kingfisher, and the Quetru Volador, among others.

Culture

The Chono people navigated the waters of the Comau fjord, hunting sea lions, fishing, and collecting shellfish and algae. The Huilliche people traveled inland to hunt and collect fruits, seeds, and mushrooms in the forest.

infrastructure

  • Bathrooms
  • Lodging
  • Camping
  • Restaurants
  • Information Center
  • Trails
  • Trekking Circuits
  • Picnic Area

How to Get There

Hornopirén is located 66 miles south of Puerto Montt. From Puerto Montt, head along Route 7 towards Caleta La Arena, where you’ll take a ferry that will bring you to Caleta Puelche (no prior reservation is required). You can also get to Caleta Puelche from Cochamó and Puelo, via the V-69 route. From Caleta Puelche, continue south to Hornopirén. You can also get to Hornopirén via the coastal route, which begins in Contao and travels through towns such as La Poza and Aulén before arriving at Hornopirén 37 miles later.

Once in Hornopirén, from the Plaza de Armas, you’ll need to travel 6.5 miles to the Chaqueigua Alto sector. There, you’ll find the Conaf office, where you can register for park entry as well as park your car. Continue on foot for 4.5 miles through private property (accessible to the public) until you reach the park entrance.

Kemel buses depart daily from Puerto Montt to Hornopirén. Once in Hornopirén, go to the north corner of the Plaza de Armas (the corner of Diego Portales and Bernardo O’Higgins). There, you’ll find a transport service that can bring you to the Conaf offices. The cost is approximately $8000 CLP per trip. We recommend coordinating return service immediately, since there is no cell service once you leave Hornopirén.

Trails

Lake Pinto Concha Trail

  • Difficulty

    Intermediate
    Advanced

  • Duration

    8 hours (out and back)

  • Distance

    9 miles total

  • Open

    October through March

This trail begins at the welcome sign for the park, located 4.3 miles from the Conaf office, and ends at the southwest shore of Lake Pinto Concha, at 3117 feet above sea level.

Starting point: Hornopirén National Park entrance
Out-and-back: Out-and-back

Download trail on kml format

Yates Volcano Trail

  • Difficulty

    Intermediate
    Advanced

  • Duration

    3.5 hours (out and back)

  • Distance

    4.5 miles total

  • Open

    October through March

Begins at Lake Pinto Concha and ascends 2.2 miles to the beginning of the Yates Volcano.

Starting point: Lake Pinto Concha
Lake Pinto Concha: Out-and-back

Download trail on kml format

Tips

  • The camping in Lake Pinto Concha is rustic, with campsites rather than shelters or other facilities
  • On the southwestern shore of Lake Pinto Concha, there is a Conaf office open in January and February, with information for hikers
  • Trails can be muddy year-round. Bring trekking boots appropriate for rugged conditions
  • There’s a park administration office near the central plaza in Hornopirén with information for visitors
  • There is no charge for park entry
  • In Hornopirén, there are gas stations and ATMs, as well as cell service

Local Communities

Hornopirén

With a beautiful view of the Hornopirén volcano and the Comau fjord, Hornopirén is the starting point for travel by boat toward Leptepu and Caleta Gonzalo.

Puelo

Located in Cochamó county, this town is known for recreational fishing on the Puelo River, which flows into the Reloncaví Estuary.

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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