The Pumalín Park is a private natural park owned by US millionaire Douglas Tompkins Founded. It is located in the fjord region of the Región de los Lagos in Chile, between Chaitén and Hornopirén and the limit to Argentina. It is known for its old trees (3000 year old Alercen) in the temperate rainforest, volcanoes and glaciers. In 2008 the Chaitén volcano erupted for the last time and it still smokes today. The region is a popular hiking destination with an outstanding infrastructure.
background
history
landscape
Flora and fauna
climate
getting there
The park is along the Carretera Austral in the fjord region between Chaitén and Hornopirén. Large parts of the park are also very remote and inaccessible for normal tourists.
The best starting point for hikes are Chaitén, El Amarillo (20 km south) and the various campsites in the park.
Fees / permits
Entrance to the park, as well as all hiking trails, are free, unlike in many state parks.
mobility
The graveled Carretera Austral leads through the park. In the park itself, you can explore the trails on foot or with organized horse rides.
The fjord landscape can be seen well on the ferry trips between the sections of the Carretera Austral explore:
- Hornopirén-Leptepu, approx. 3h 45 min, from CLP 5.350
- Caleta Gonzalo-Fiordo Largo, approx. 30 min, free of charge
Even when passing through Caleta Gonzalo to Chaitén In good weather there are many nice places to rest for photo stops.
Information centers
You can find out everything you need to know about the park at the ranger stations and information centers. You can also get a good card there.
Information centers are available in:
- El Amarillo at Fundo El Triangulo in the "Camino Los Turbios", 20 km south of Chaitén
- Caleta Gonzalo, 55 km north of Chaitén, near the ferry terminal
- Camping El Volcán, 29 km south of Caleta Gonzalo, 3 km off the Carreterra Austral on a small gravel road
- Park entrance north of Chaitén , small ranger station right on the road with camping
The park administration is partly located in Puerto Varas (200 km north) in Klenmer 299.
Tourist Attractions
The main attractions are:
- Chaitén volcanoes (active) and Michinmahuida (glaciated)
- Dense temperate rainforest with alercen up to 3000 years old
- Impressive lakes and waterfalls
- Wild fjords
The most popular activities therefore include:
- Visit to the Sendero de Alerces
- Ferry through the fjord region
- Hike to the viewpoint of the active Chaitén volcano
El Amarillo hiking region
El Amarillo is a small settlement 20 km south of Chaitén, whose development has been closely interwoven with the park. From here you can explore the southernmost section of the park.
Ventisquero El Amarillo
From the Veintisquero campsite (information about how to get there in El Amarillo) you can hike to the Michinmahuida glacier at the foot of the volcano. After crossing the river near the campsite at a wide point, the hike on the west side of the river leads through a flat and wide valley to the glacier.
- Starting point: Camping Ventisquero
- Duration: approx. 6 hours in total
- Distance: 20 km in total
- Difficulty: easy-medium
Interpretativo Ranita de Darwin
The 2.5 km long "Ranita de Darwin" trail is a short and relaxing hike. It starts on the valley road to Camping Grande 4.2 km from El Amarillo.
Park rangers also offer guided tours of the flora and fauna. At the end of the hike there are three beautiful viewpoints and with a little luck you will see and hear the endangered Darwin frog. It goes kuru back to the starting point via the driveway.
- Starting point: road to Camping Grande, 4.2 km
- Duration: 75min
- Distance: 2.5km
- Difficulty: easy
Hiking north of Chaitén
All walks north of Chaitén branch off from the Carretera Austral Caleta Gonzalothat runs right through this part of the park.
Sendero a los Alerces
Short visit to the giants of the rainforest, which are up to 3000 years old, in the temperate rainforest. The threatened Alercen can be admired on a well-developed 700 m long path. This tour through one of the few preserved areas takes about 40 minutes. The starting point is well signposted and is located 12.5 km south of Caleta Gonzalo and 45.5 km north of Chaiten directly on the road.
Volcán Chaitén
After more than 9,000 dormant years, the Chaitén volcano erupted in 2008 and devastated entire regions and the city of Chaitén. The park was closed for two years due to cleanup. You can now enjoy the view of the still smoking volcano on this hike to a beautiful vantage point. The ascent is moderately difficult and takes about 1.5 hours. A total of about 2.5 hours should be planned for the 4.4 km long hike. The starting point is on the road at the bridge "Los Gidigos", 34 km south of Caleta Gonzalo.
Volcán Michinmahuida
Nice tour to the southern foot of the glaciated volcanic crater. Nearby is the Volcán campsite, which is the ideal starting point to shorten your journey to and from the campsite.
- Starting point:Carretera Austral, Carol Urzúa Bridge, 28.5 km south of Caleta Gonzalo.
- Duration: 8-10 hours in total
- Distance: 24 km in total
- Difficulty: Medium high
Laguna Tronador
The hike starts 11 km south of Caleta Gonzalo on the road. Through an alercen forest, which is slowly recovering from a forest fire, it goes up stairs. A suspension bridge leads over the Tronador River by a waterfall. From here it is another 1.5 hours to the end point at the lake, where free camping is allowed. The moderately difficult route is approx. 5 km long and takes 4 hours.
Cascadas Escondidas
The way to the impressive waterfalls starts 14 km south of Caleta Gonzalo (44 km north of Chaitén) at the small campsite. In total, the path leads to three waterfalls. The first one can be reached after 30 minutes, the others after a total of 60 minutes. This easy to moderately difficult hike can be very slippery when wet, takes 2 hours and is a circular route.
Lake Negro
Directly at the Lago Negro campsite (20 km south of Caleta Gonzalo) begins a hiking trail to the nearby lake shore with a wonderful view. Overall, this 1.6km long and easy hike only takes about 30 minutes.
Interpretativo de Naturaleza
Easy one-hour circular hike (3 km) that starts at the Volcán campsite (29 km south of Caleta Gonzalo). On this short path you get a good insight into the species-rich temperate rainforest. It is recommended to take a guided tour with park rangers. The best way to do this is to inquire in one of the information centers in the park, where you can also find informative brochures and maps for your own exploration.
Fjord region
The fjord region, the northern part of the park south of Hornopirén can only be reached by boat. Also on the ferry that replaces the road to Hornopirén you have a good view of this part of the park.
Laguna Abascal
shop
You can buy rainforest honey produced in many places in the park. Outdoor equipment is best bought at "Puma Verde" in El Amarillo. This shop offers a wide range.
Hornopirén and Chaitén offer the typical range of remote small towns. Larger errands should be done beforehand Puerto Montt or Coyhaique take care of.
kitchen
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
- expensive cabañas in Caleta Gonzalo
- in the southern part of the park in El Amarillo
- Inexpensive but secluded outside the park in Chaitén
camping
The campsites can be used free of charge outside the main season (Jan / Feb) and are open all year round. During the season they cost around CLP 3,000 p.p. . Camping outside the numerous campsites is therefore unnecessary and strictly prohibited.
They are equipped with good sanitary facilities and plenty of covered seating. Hot water supply via solar thermal is still under construction or not available. Open fires are strictly forbidden. Internet access is in vain, but there are plenty of trash cans everywhere.
security
In 2008 there was the last major volcanic eruption in the park, the one in the nearby too Chaitén Wreaked havoc. Here you should find out about the current risk on site.
There is a risk of tsunami on the coast due to regular earthquakes. However, there is an early warning system with sirens and designated escape routes. In the event of an earthquake, one should move away from the coast in good time and get to safety.
trips
- Cochamó. Beautiful hiking region in the north.
- Futaleufú. Rafting paradise on the border with Argentina.
Web links
Official website (English / Spanish)Official map of the park (pdf / spanish)
