Los Alerces National Park is a beautiful destination located in the province of Chubut, Argentina. It is known for their practically virgin Patagonian forests and because of that, the area was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2017.
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Here we leave you some recommendations on what to visit in this national park:
Esquel
It is a charming city surrounded by beautiful mountainous landscapes, located in the province of Chubut. It is the most important service center in the Chubut mountain range and you can use it as a base to explore the Los Alerces National Park and enjoy its lakes, rivers, forests and hills. A little further south, Trevelin and Corcovado close the southern lake area of Northern Andean Patagonia. It is also famous for being the starting point of La Trochita, an iconic steam train that runs along an old railway branch. It is a city where you can walk through its streets, enjoy the cafes and restaurants, and admire the typical architecture of the region.
Futalaufquen Lake
It is the largest lake in the park and one of the main attractions. You can take a catamaran ride around the lake and have panoramic views of the entire area. Some tours also include visits to other nearby attractions.
Futalaufquen Lake is known for being a popular destination for sport fishing. Here you will find trout and salmon, so you can spend a day fishing in its waters. Of course, remember to obtain the corresponding permits and licenses. If you like adventure and prefer a more active experience, you can rent a kayak or canoe to explore the lake on your own. You will enjoy the tranquility of the environment and you will be able to get closer to the most picturesque shores and corners. Around the lake, you will find trails that allow you to enjoy scenic walks. One of the popular trails is the one that leads to the Arrayanes River waterfall, where you can marvel at the natural beauty of the region. The area has designated picnic areas, where you can bring your food and enjoy a relaxing moment by the water. Take the opportunity to contemplate the landscapes, take photographs or recharge your batteries.
Ancient larch
The national park is known for housing one of the largest concentrations of ancient larch trees, giant and ancient trees that can be over 2,000 years old. You can explore trails like the “Sendero Los Alerces” to marvel at these majestic trees.
Arrayanes River
The Arrayanes River is another highlight of the park. It is characterized by its crystal clear water and the presence of myrtle trees along its course. It is a short watercourse that connects Lake Verde and Lake Futalaufquen in a distance of less than 5 km. You can kayak around it to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Lake Menéndez and Puerto Chucao
Menéndez is a lake of glacial origin with an approximate surface area of 5,570 hectares. It occupies a valley with two Y-shaped arms. In the separation between the latter there is an island. It is surrounded by high mountains and beautiful landscapes of lenga and other fagaceae forests, as well as tall and old larch trees. All of its surface and coasts belong to the Los Alerces National Park, and no permanent population resides on its coasts. In some of the hills located next to it there are small but showy glaciers. Access to the lake is exclusively pedestrian, through a path that starts from the banks of the Arrayanes River. You cross a long pedestrian bridge over the river, and after bordering the neighboring Green Lake (photo), and after walking about 2,000 meters, you arrive at a dock that is
Puerto Chucao and a small beach. An excursion in itself to arrive at Puerto Chucao. If you want to visit it on your own, starting from Esquel it is 50 kilometers along a paved road until you reach the head of Lake Futalaufquen. Then you continue along about 25 kilometers of gravel until you reach the pedestrian bridge that we already mentioned. Also from there, you can take the trail through the native forest or embark on a lake excursion to visit the Torrecillas Glacier and admire its impressive mass of ice. Or get to Puerto Sagrario to tour the Millennium Alerzal.
Rivadavia Lake
It is a lake of glacial origin that has an approximate surface area of 2,200 hectares and occupies a narrow valley surrounded by beautiful landscapes of lenga and coihue forests, which make up part of the Patagonian Andean forest. It is almost entirely included in the Los Alerces national park, which protects its natural vegetation. On its banks there is a camping area with all services.
Puerto Limonao
It is a port located on Lake Menéndez, from where you can access the Andean Footprint trail. You can also enjoy a picnic by the lake and do water activities, especially if you like kayaking this is an ideal place.
Mountains, rivers, lakes and the Andean Patagonian forest offer you in the Los Alerces National Park a unique and purifying experience of being in full contact with nature.
