Trevelin is a beautiful town located in the Argentine province of Chubut, known for its rural charm, its stunning landscapes and its rich Welsh cultural heritage.
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Welsh settlers in Argentina
The experience of Welsh colonization has the characteristic of being one of the few examples of peaceful coexistence in the world.
The first settlers contacted the local Tehuelches almost a year after their arrival. After some years of difficult coexistence, both peoples established cordial relations. The colonists acquired meat, hides, feathers, bushes, etc. and the Tehuelches, bread, fabrics, grass, tobacco, flour, etc.)
The first colonists settled in the Chubut valley, but in 1885, they asked the governor of Chubut, Luis Jorge Fontana, for permission to organize an expedition and explore the Andean area of the province. Fontana decided to accompany the expedition in person and at the end of November 1885 they had reached a fertile area that they called in Welsh “Cwm Hyfryd” (Beautiful Valley). This valley became the site of another Welsh settlement, called Colonia 16 de Octubre in Spanish, from which the cities of Esquel and Trevelin were born.
Andes Mill Regional Museum
This museum offers a fascinating insight into the history of Welsh colonization in the region and is located at 488 Molino Viejo.
The Trevelin Regional Museum was created in 1971 and operated in a room in the former Municipality until 1985, when it moved to the historic Molino Andes building. This museum brings us closer to the history of colonization and the life of the first period of the town. A large number of everyday items are exhibited, such as tableware, furniture, cameras, musical instruments, clothing and various traditional objects of Welsh culture. Its room called Meeting of Two Cultures reflects the life of the native peoples with the Welsh immigrants, through maps, photographs and objects. On the ground floor is the Heart of the Mill room, which shows the machinery that made the Andes Mill work. And in another room called Work, objects from rural work are shown such as complex and imposing agricultural machinery for planting, harvesting and threshing in the colony’s farms.
Brook Mill
The Nant Fach flour mill is a museum owned by the Evans family, whose Welsh ancestor Thomas Dalar Evans came to settle in the Andean valley of Trevelín in 1894. It is located 17 km from Trevelin in a natural environment of enormous beauty. In reality, the mill is a replica of what were the flour mills of the first settlers who took advantage of the current of water to turn a large wheel, which in turn put into operation the system for grinding the grains into flour.
The museum also includes replicas of a “Blacksmith Shop”, a traditional “General Store” (where all types of products were sold), a printing press, with various period machines from the first settlers, a “Carpentry Shop” and various vehicles.
Hikes and outdoor activities
The Trevelin area is perfect for those who enjoy nature. You can hike, mountain bike, fish in its rivers and lakes, and do activities like kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Futaleufú Hydroelectric
Complex The complex is immense and at the same time it is a great experience to be able to visit the National Park trails that surround the dam. The climb to the reservoir is somewhat challenging if you go by car because it is steep, gravel and winding, but it is worth it. You can visit the dam facilities. And with respect to the trails proposed by Los Alerces Park (Portada Sur), doing the least difficult ones will take you more than 3 hours. The lake at the dam is beautiful, but there is also a route that is done by car that allows you to go down and explore trails that lead to hidden waterfalls and river rapids.
Los Alerces National Park
It is a spectacular natural park with crystalline lakes, lush forests and imposing mountains. You can go hiking, boating and enjoy the natural beauty of the place. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2017 as it is home to extensions of practically virgin Patagonian forest.
Nant and Fall waterfalls
It is an ideal walk to do from Trevelin. If you are stopping in Esquel it is approximately 100 km from the center of that city. You can take a low difficulty hike of around 2 hours to the waterfalls. On a walkway tour you can see the La Petiza, Las Mellizas and La Larga waterfalls (with their 64 meters high) and enjoy the relaxing sound of the water and the beautiful natural views. During the walk you will appreciate the Andean Patagonian Forest with its cypresses, coihues, radales, lauras and maitenes that make up an unbeatable setting to spend the day.
Bagillt Lake
It is a lake of glacial origin and its name recalls the town of the same name in Wales, where its discoverer, Edward Jones, came from. The lake is located south of Los Alerces National Park. But it is also located in a special protected area covering the surrounding forest. This is the 15 km² Lake Bagillt Protected Natural Area. Access to the lake is regulated. The forest is made up mostly of beech (Nothofagus pumilio) and contains a rare population of huemules. Given the natural wealth of the area and its extreme fragility, visitors must be accompanied by an expert guide who guarantees their safety and the integrity of the natural heritage. It is reached by a difficult path, 18 km long, from the highway to the town of Los Cipreses.
Tulip plantations
They are the most important in the country and really provide a beautiful landscape during the flowering season, coloring the cultivated fields. Currently the city exports tulips to the world and a large part is destined for Holland. Visits to the tulip fields are made in the month of October (when they bloom), some of the tulip farms are located on Route 259, on the outskirts of town. Most of the seeds used for tulip crops come from Holland. Visits to tulip farms require an entrance fee and include a guided tour with the producers. Visiting season is from October 1 to early November (we recommend not waiting until the last few days as there are few tulips left in bloom).
Gastronomía
First things first, we recomend to visit a Welsh tea house. Also you can take lunch the classical Argentinian barbecue (asado), and you shout visit the Trevelin artisan market, where they had homemade cakes! You should prove a piece of pecan pie with dulce de leche. It is really delicious!
Welsh Tea House
A typical Trevelin experience is enjoying a cup of Welsh tea with delicious cakes in one of the local tea houses. This is an example of the influence of Welsh culture in the area
Craft breweries
Trevelin is known for its growing craft beer scene. You can visit some of the local breweries to taste locally made beers and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere.
Regional Producers Fair
If you have the chance, visit the local Trevelin fair, where you can buy fresh and artisan products, such as cheeses, jams and fabrics.
Esquel
A few kilometers from Trevelin you can visit Esquel, a city that was born and grew thanks to the Welsh settlers starting in 1865. In reality, a northeastern extension of the colony was established as an extension whose original nucleus was about 25 km to the south, that is, the current city. of Trevelin.
FAQs
How to get to Trevelin?
BY PLANE: From Buenos Aires to the Brigadier General Antonio Parodi International Airport in Esquel, which is 21 km from the city center. It is a trip of just over 4 hours and there are 8 daily direct flights Buenos Aires-Esquel.
BY BUS: From Esquel you can take a bus line that runs every half hour, both at the terminal and at the different stops. The trip takes just over 20 minutes.
Trevelin and the entire region are beautiful and peaceful places if you want to encounter nature and learn about the culture of the Welsh pioneers in Argentina.
