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Patagonia · Chubut
National ParkLos Alerces
The Grandfather: a 2,620-year-old alerce.
42.85° S · 71.75° O
- Established
- 1937
- Area
- 259,000 ha
- Ecoregion
- Patagonian forest
- Gateway
- Esquel
A chain of turquoise lakes, Valdivian forest and ancient alerce trees, a World Heritage Site. Boat trips to the Millennial Alerce Grove, treks to Cerro Dedal and fly fishing.
Highlights
- Sailing Lake Menéndez to the Millennial Alerce Grove and the Grandfather tree.
- The Río Arrayanes footbridge and the turquoise Lake Verde.
- Rock art above Lake Futalaufquen.
- Kayaking down the Arrayanes river.
Getting there
By plane
Aeropuerto Brigadier General Antonio Parodi, Esquel (EQS)
Weekly flights from Buenos Aires (and from Córdoba in winter). The park’s centre is 52 km away.
By car
RN 259 · RP 71 · RN 40 — 1,850 km from Buenos Aires
Three gates: Centre (38 km from Esquel), South (10 km from Trevelin) and North (26 km from Cholila). RP 71 runs past lakes Rivadavia, Verde and Futalaufquen.
By bus
Terminal de Esquel
Buses from most of the country; a daily bus links Esquel with Villa Futalaufquen and other stops on RP 71.
Trails
Difficulty
Duration
Difficulty: EasyModerateHardExpert
Laguna Escondida
From the Río Arrayanes ranger station, a forest climb with views of lakes Verde and Menéndez.
Registration required
- Distance
- 6 km
- Duration
- 3.5 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Out and back
Cerro Alto El Petiso
From Puerto Mermoud: forest switchbacks, the Zanjón Hondo stream and a final scree slope to the summit. With a licensed guide.
Registration required
- Distance
- 16 km
- Duration
- 7 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Hard
Out and back
Laguna del Toro
South zone: cypress and coihue forest to a lagoon beneath Cerro La Monja.
Registration required
- Distance
- 10 km
- Duration
- 4 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Hard
Out and back
Villa Futalaufquen – Puerto Limonao
Along the shore of Lake Futalaufquen.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Duration
- 3 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Out and back
Mirador del Lago Verde
A gentle climb to a viewpoint over lakes Verde, Rivadavia and Menéndez.
- Distance
- 3.2 km
- Duration
- 1 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Out and back
Pinturas rupestres
2.5 km from Villa Futalaufquen: a rock shelter with accessible rock art and a lake viewpoint.
- Distance
- 1.6 km
- Duration
- 0.7 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Easy
Out and back
Lago Krugger
From Puerto Limonao, for experienced trekkers; there is a lodge at the lake and boat return can be arranged.
Registration required
- Distance
- 17 km
- Duration
- 12 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Hard
Point to point
Distances, elevation gain and times are approximate and change with the season. Check each trail’s status with the park before setting out.
Where to stay
Inn$$$
Lago Futalaufquen
Historic inns inside the park on the lake: wake up facing the water and walk straight out.
Cabins$$
Lagos Verde y Rivadavia
Cabins in the north zone, close to the Arrayanes footbridge and Puerto Chucao.
Mountain hut$$
Lago Krugger
A mountain lodge at the end of the trek or reachable by boat, deep in Valdivian forest.
Campsite$
Bahía Rosales, Los Maitenes, Lago Verde, Lago Rivadavia
Organised campsites with beaches and summer lifeguards, plus quieter rustic sites.
Hotel$$
Esquel y Trevelin
Full services 26–52 km from the park; Trevelin adds Welsh tea houses.
Before you go
- Register at the information centre for demanding trails; some close for weather or fires, so check first.
- Boat tickets are not sold at Puerto Chucao: buy them in advance.
- Fishing is allowed year-round on Lake Futalaufquen; elsewhere from 1 November to 1 May with a permit.
- The water is deep and very cold: swim only where lifeguards are present.
Plan your journey to Los Alerces
We design private trips at each traveller’s pace: hikes, local guides and carefully chosen stays. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply within 48 hours.