On this significant anniversary, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park invites us to rediscover southern Chile through a lens of gratitude and wonder, celebrating not just 100 years, but the beginning of a conservation story that continues to be written in every corner of the country.

A century ago, in 1926, Chile took a pioneering step in South America: the creation of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the country's first national park and one of the oldest on the continent. A hundred years later, that visionary act lives on in every one of its ancient forests, its snow-capped volcanoes, and the waters of its lakes, making it an undisputed symbol of Chilean conservation awareness.

Located in the Los Lagos Region, just a few kilometers from Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, the park was born from the need to protect a territory of overwhelming beauty: the surroundings of Lake Todos los Santos and Osorno Volcano. Its founding marked the beginning of Chile's National System of Protected Wild Areas, laying the groundwork for a conservation policy that today spans dozens of parks across the country, from the Atacama Desert to southern Patagonia.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary also means celebrating the history of a country that understood, long before others, that its natural heritage deserved to be preserved for future generations. The park is also part of the Andean Temperate Rainforests Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO designation that confirms its ecological value on a global scale.

Osorno Volcano, an icon crowning the landscape

No account of this park can leave out Osorno Volcano, that snow-capped conical silhouette that has become one of southern Chile's most photographed symbols. Standing 2,652 meters tall, the volcano offers visitors the chance to go trekking, take guided ascents, and even ski in season, while its image is majestically reflected in the waters of Lake Todos los Santos, creating one of the most iconic postcard views of northern Patagonia.

At its base spreads a lush Valdivian forest, home to native species such as coigüe, ulmo, and the towering alerce, some specimens of which are over a thousand years old.

Waterfalls, lakes, and a river of emerald waters

The park also protects some of Chile's most mesmerizing river landscapes. Petrohué Falls are, without a doubt, one of its greatest attractions: a series of waterfalls formed over volcanic basalt rock, where the water rushes through with tremendous force and an intense turquoise color that surprises every visitor. The viewpoint, with Osorno Volcano as its backdrop, offers one of the most memorable postcard views in southern Chile.

Lake Todos los Santos, also known as Emerald Lake for the tone of its waters, completes this natural postcard. Surrounded by forests and volcanoes, it is the starting point of the historic Lake Crossing, a binational journey connecting Chile with Argentina that combines navigation with mountain scenery, and which since the 19th century has been one of the most sought-after experiences among travelers worldwide.

A sanctuary of biodiversity

Beyond its iconic landscapes, the park is home to rich and diverse wildlife. Pudús, culpeo foxes, condors, and a variety of native birds find refuge across its nearly 253,000 protected hectares, making it one of the largest parks in southern Chile. Its biodiversity, combined with the purity of its landscapes, positions it as a must-visit destination for those seeking authentic nature tourism, far from the crowds.

Its trails, suitable for both short hikes and multi-day treks, allow visitors to explore different microclimates and ecosystems, from humid forests to high-altitude viewpoints, in an experience that blends adventure and contemplation in equal measure.

A legacy that inspires the future

Turning 100, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park not only celebrates its history but reaffirms its role as guardian of Chilean natural identity. It stands as a living reminder that protecting the land is not a recent trend, but a century-old tradition that has preserved unique landscapes for millions of people who, generation after generation, have marveled at its grandeur.

Visiting this park today is, in a way, paying tribute to those who had the vision to protect it a century ago. It means walking among trees that already existed before that founding decision, gazing upon a volcano that has witnessed 100 years of history, and sailing waters that remain as crystalline as when they were declared a heritage belonging to all Chileans.

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