Puyehue NP: Attractions and Trails

Attractions

What to see
Puyehue National Park stands out amongst the rest of the protected wild areas in the country for the great diversity of birds and mammals inhabiting it. It holds the record with more than 130 different bird species.

Chanleufu rapids flow in the Aguas Calientes sector. On the road to to Antillanca there are lagoons that originated from glaciers, like El Espejo, La Copa, El Encanto, and the lakes Toro Chico and Toro. The highlights of Antillanca are its ski center, the Raihuén crater, and Caulle volcanic area. The main attractions in Anticura are the Gol-Gol river valley, Puyehue volcano, the waterfalls of Indio, Repucura, La Princesa, and Los Novios, and Mirador del Puma viewpoint.

What to do

• Fishing: you can fish in Gol-Gol, Chanleufú and Anticura rivers, and in the lakes Toro, Paraíso and Puyehue (prior authorization required).
• Skiing: you can ski in the Antillanca zone and cross-country ski in the Antillanca, Anticura and Puyehue volcano sectors.
• Mountaineering: You can go mountaineering on the Puyehue and Casablanca volcanoes, on Pantojo hill, with previous authorization and registration with CONAF.
• Other activities: swimming (thermal pools), trekking, wildlife observation, rowing, environmental education.

Trails

The park has a number of types of trails, which are detailed in the following sections:

1. Aguas Calientes Sector
Bertín Lake Escursion Trail: It is 11 km (7 mi) long, and takes 5 hrs. to hike there and back. The route goes from Aguas Calientes to the Bertín lake alongside the Chanleufu river, and at the end there is a rustic refuge with a capacity for 6 people.

"Lago Paraíso" Trail: The mountain lake borders the evergreen forest which is a 7km (4 MI) trail from the Toro lake. There is abundant fauna and fish.
On the El Pionero trail

"El Pionero" Interpretive Trail: This trail is 1.5 km (1 MI) up to the viewpoint which is on the highest part of the hill in front of Aguas Calientes. From here you can admire part of lake Puyehue, a large part of the Chanleufu river, and practically all of the Aguas Calientes developed area. This trail has information signs posted throughout.

"El Recodo" Interpretive Trail: It is 380 m (1,246 ft) and its entrance is at the side of the bridge on the Chanleufu river. It runs along the banks of this river until the picnic area of Aguas Calientes. This trail also provides informational signs.

"Rapids of Chanleufu" Intepretive Trail: This is 1.25 km (approx. 1 mi.) long. It crosses the hanging bridge which is at the edge of the outdoor swimming pool. Then it follows the water down where there is a signal to the entrance. This path leads to the rapids of the Chanleufu river which give the trail its name.

2. Anticura Sector
Excursion Trail to Puyehue Volcano: it is 16 km (10 MI) long with an approximate journey time of 2 to 3 days. The path is self-guiding and runs into the Puyehue volcano, to the Azufreras (area where sulfur is extracted) and to the hot springs. There is a rustic refuge for 12 people on the slopes of the volcano.

Excursion Trail to Pampa de la Frutilla: 20 km (12.5 MI) long with an approximate journey time of 2 to 3 days. This path follows an old trail from the Ultimo Puesto area. In the Seca lagoon there is a rustic refuge at the end of the trail.

"Los Derrumbes" Recreational Trail: spanning 580 m (1,902 ft.) with a journey time of about 45 minutes.

The Rapids along Chanlufu Trail

"Salto de la Princesa" Recreational Trail: 710 m (2,328 ft) and 30 minutes long.

"Salto del Indio" Educational Trail: Approximately 950 m (3,116 ft) and 40 minutes long to hike. On this trail you can see some interesting specimens of the evergreen forest.

Repucura Educational Trail: 1.1 km and one hour long.