Los Alerces National Park is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt natural parks in the Patagonia region, southern Argentina. It consists of two parts: the formally declared national park of 187,379 hectares (723.47 sq mi) and the adjoining Los Alerces National Reserve of 71,443 hectares (275.84 sq mi).
The Park is shaped like a rough rectangle, extending approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) north to south along the border with Chile and 45 kilometres (28 mi) east to west. All of Los Alerces National Park is in the drainage basin of the Futaleufú River, although the river is called by several different names during its course in Argentina.
A chain of lakes separated by short courses of turbulent river characterize the park. Lake Rivadavia is the beginning of the chain. The outflow from Lake Rivadavia is called the Rivadavia River which flows into the much smaller Green Lake (Lago Verde). The outlet from Green Lake is called the Arrayanes River, which after receiving the outflow from Lake Menéndez continues on to Futalaufquen Lake.
Below Futalaufquen Lake is Kruger Lake and the Frey River which flows into Amutui Quimey Reservoir, an artificial lake. The river known as the Futaleufú emerges below Amutui Quimey reservoir and becomes the southern boundary of the National Park. Scattered around the mountains and valleys of the park are a number of smaller lakes and streams. [Wikipedia]
How to get there, and where to stay
The National Park has a Ranger Headquarters with a seat in the Municipality, located in Villa Futalaufquen, an information centre and 3 zonal offices: North, Center and South, to which a total of 13 sectionals are added, most of them located along the route 71.
The Futalaufquen village is the only urban settlement in the Park, with about 50 houses and 200 inhabitants, with the majority of the population being employees of the National Park Administration. The most popular hotel in the area is Hosteria Futalaufquen. It is 3.1 miles from the Villa, 31.1 miles from Chubut, 35.4 miles from Esquel Airport, and 550 yards from Puerto Limonao. It offers bungalows and suites, free parking, and outdoor activities such as rafting, canopy walking, fishing and horse riding.
Other good options nearby are Laguna Larga Lodge, Pueblo Alto Lodge, Hosteria La Portada and Altos del Molino. You also have many more options in Esquel, which is a bigger city.
However; if you like nature and want to live the best out of it, I recommend staying at Camping Río Arrayanes. This is a very popular option for adventurers, cyclists, fishers and families alike.
As you can read on their website: “The concept of Río Arrayanes aims to create or recreate the bonds between man and nature in mutual respect. We offer low impact accommodation on an untouched Andean environment, isolated from the urban routine and traffic. We invite you to discover virgin and protected forests and their timid habitants, admire the glaciers and millenarian larches under the flight of a condor; share the river and fly fishing, a campfire and a drink with our friends.”
You can book and read about all their facilities and offerings on their website.
Bosque de Alerces Milenarios (Ancient Fitzroya Forest)
El Bosque de Alerces Milenarios or Alerzal Milenario (Spanish for Ancient Fitzroya Forest) is one of the most popular attractions in the park, and in the Patagonia region as well.
The Alerce (Fitzroya) tree is the second longest living tree species in the world (some in Chile are 3,600 years old). It is also the largest tree species in South America, normally growing to 40–60 metres, but occasionally more than 70 m, and up to 5 m trunk diameter. (Charles Darwin reported finding a specimen 12.6 m in diameter). It grows very slowly and belongs to the family Cupressaceae (cypresses)
The species is globally threatened, so the property is vital for the protection of some of the last portions of continuous Patagonian Forest. The National Park was created in 1937 and has the largest Alerce forest in Argentina. It was Designated a World Heritage Site in 2017. The Alerce is restricted to a small range in Chile and Argentina and the species is endangered due to the exploitation of the tree for lumber.
Reaching the forest is not easy, which is another way to protect it. Boats depart from the northern end of Lake Menéndez, a port called Puerto Chucao. After navigating the beautiful lake for an hour and a half, the boat is docked at Puerto Sagrario. From that point, there is a 2 km footpath with stunning views, including the Swan Lake (Lago Cisne) and the river with the same name.
To get to Puerto Chucao, you can go to the parking lot located next to Route 71, then cross the suspension bridge, and a short walk. Two companies offer the boat service, but tickets cannot be purchased online easily. The recommendation is to get them from the local tourist offices. Now Viator offers the tour here, which could be an easier option. Either way, you should find out about the offices and timetable in advance.
Hiking/Trekking trails
The National Park has a good variety of trekking trails, and it is one of the five National Parks that make up the “Huella Andina” (Andean Footprint), where you can enjoy hiking or trekking along roads of different difficulties. Some of them require to register with the park rangers.
- Río Rivadavia: As you can see in the picture above, each trail has information such as length, duration and difficulty. This one is of 6 km, takes 2 hours and is easy. Following the river, you will reach the lake (lago in Spanish) of the same name, with stunning views.
- Pinturas Rupestres (Cave Paintings): It is 2 km from Villa Futalaufquen, and you can see ancient paintings in a cave and then make a ten-minute ascent to a viewpoint. It lasts forty minutes and is of low difficulty.
- Alto el Petiso: Starts at Puerto Mermoud on the shores of Lago Verde. You go through a forest in a rise of snails until you reach the Zanjón Hondo stream, continue along the channel to an edge through which you ascend to the pedrero that leads to the summit. It takes 7 hours and is of high difficulty (Requires registration in park ranger section – Rio Arrayanes, before 10 am).
- Cerro Cocinero: Starts 150 metres from Arroyo (stream) Rañinto. Climb up a steep slope, until you reach a valley. A round trip takes 4 hs. It takes 7 hours and is of high difficulty (Requires registration in the section of National Parks – Cover Center, before 10 am).
- Cascada (Waterfall) Irigoyen: Starts 6 km from Villa Futalaufquen, and there is an important waterfall between varied vegetation. The first section takes 15 minutes and is of low difficulty.
- Lago Krugger: Starts at 1500 meters from Puerto Bustillo. This is the most complex and longest path of the Park, and of high difficulty. You have to check the status of the path before going. The approximate duration of each section is between 6 or 7 hours. Camping is permitted in the Playa Blanca sector, and fire is not allowed. On Lake Krugger, there is a ranger post.
- Lago Verde: Starts 1 km from the sectional Lago Verde. At the end of the path, you have an excellent panoramic view of the lakes Verde, Rivadavia and Menéndez. It lasts one hour and is of medium/low difficulty.
Map of Huella Andina
The following map shows the full Huella Andina set of trails. For more information visit the official website.
Kayak
One of the best and more natural ways to explore the park is by Kayak. The company Kayak Soul, located in Esquel, offers some unique experiences to contemplate the environment around the park’s lakes and rivers.
The company provides 5 different tours, all of them along Río Arrayanes, and also kayak lessons. One of the most advanced tours comprises 5 days, stopping at different lakes and camping along the way. A detailed description of this tour is described in this article (in Spanish) from an Argentine newspaper.