Argentina’s version of the Redwoods might even have healing powers.
In a place as fairy - tale gorgeous as northerly Patagonia , it takes a lot to support out . But ancient 3,600 - year - previous tree diagram bound green - turquoise glacial lake so vivacious they look fake , back up by snow - capped good deal with Andean condors gracefully soaring overhead , make theWorld Heritage SiteofLos Alerces National Parkwell worth a stop on a slip toArgentina .
Alerce Tree ( Fitzroya cupressoides)happen to be the quondam living matter in Argentina — and one of the sometime trees in the world . Los Alerces National Park was created in 1937 in order of magnitude to protect these evergreens alike to the monstrous North American redwood . Its original name in the aboriginal Mapuche spoken communication is Lahuan or Lawan , meaning “ curative ” or “ remediation , ” hinting that this tree credibly holds more power than we jazz .
But there ’s more to this half million - Akko park than just coolheaded , old , healing trees . This is an ecosystem that ’s home to puma , huiñacat ( austral spotted cat ) , huillín ( an endangered native otter ) , culpeo fox , and gray fox . There are even some random bright pink flamingos and calcined lime - green Austral parakeets thrown in to make you say “ huh ? ” The vibe here is idle enough that none less than famous criminal Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid once took to hiding out in a logarithm cabin nearby .
Turismo Esquel
Between horseback riding to connect with your inner gaucho , hiking through Valdivian temperate rain woods , swim Wim Hof - style with glacier in sight , world - course rafting on the nearby Futaleufú River , and fly fish in water system so exculpated you could look out Brobdingnagian rainbow trout swim by , Los Alerces and the surrounding area merit at least a full few days of your sentence . Consider that just outside the car park is Argentina ’s up - and - coming wine destination , Trevelin , and you may come up yourself never wanting to leave this little slash of surreal heaven .
Most adventure travelers fall to Patagonia for the larger-than-life hiking ofTorres del Paine in Chileor Fitz Roy in El Chalten , but locals know that smaller national parks like Los Alerces hold standardised aspect with a smaller portion of the crew . And only in Parque Nacional Los Alerces will you have the chance to pay heed out with these legendary trees that develop super slow ( 1 mm per class ) , but reach top over 150 feet . If you ’re looking to retard down and get nature help put everything in perspective for you , the alerces could indeed be what the Mapuche call a “ curative . ” Here ’s everything to know about visiting Los Alerces .
Drive one of the most beautiful road trips
The nearby Ithiel Town of Esquel has a bantam airport , and from there local double-decker can get you to the park — though it can be a morsel of a concern with varying frequency and routes depending on the meter of year . For a more streamlined and everlasting Patagonian experience , Edwin Herbert Land in the big touristic hub of Bariloche , charter a car , androad trip south along route 40 . You ’ll be in for the most arresting five - hr drive of your life ; one minute it ’ll seem like you ’re in the lupine - flower - occupy setting ofThe speech sound of Music , then wink and you ’ll feel like you ’re the main character in beige and sandy desert - steppeDune .
The park has three main access gates . The northward logic gate , fifteen miles from Cholila , takes you in by the Rivadavia Lake expanse . The fundamental logic gate stem from Route 40 twenty naut mi from Esquel and starts you by Futalaufquen Lake and Villa Futalaufquen . And the lesser - used south gate brings you close to the Futaleufú Hydroelectric Complex , six miles from Trevelin . The roads within the park are gravel and slow going , so loose , embrace the pace , and be sure to make a leisurely stop at every roadside falls to overcharge up the survey .
This Legendary Road Trip Might Be the Most Beautiful Drive on Earth
Buckle up for a journey from the highest peaks to the lowest valleys.
Escape the northern winter
The park gets saturated with local touristry in January and February , as this is summertime break here . November and December , or alternatively March through May , is ideal for the best chance at pleasant weather with fewer multitude in the park . During spring in the Southern Hemisphere ( starting in November ) , bright yellowretamabushes and thousands of pastel - colored lupin color the landscape painting . Whereas come return around May , the lenga Tree turn some high - altitude woodland blood red with their change leaves .
The green entrances have strict hour : gate open at 9 am and nigh at 8 pm in the summertime . In the grim season , gate close at 5 pm . With Argentina ’s constantly shifting inflation decent now , prices can switch overnight , but the entrance fee for foreign tourists is usually the equivalent weight of around $ 10 USD , to be bear in immediate payment only in Argentine pesos . Come cook ( and maybe bring spare cash just in causa ) , as there is no ATM in the commons . In the off - time of year of May through October , there is no entrance fee .
This is not a park that is well - equip yet for foreign tourism , so planning ahead ( specially if you do n’t speak Spanish ) can be a little puzzling . This siteis the near to maneuver you in the correct counseling for who to contact for camping , booking a cabin , or planning activities . Do n’t expect a fast response from anyone within the ballpark — there is no wireless local area web outside of the main Tourist Information Center and no dependable cell signal .
Turismo Esquel
As for what to load down ? While the internet will tell you that average summer temporary can be in the 70s or 80s , what you do n’t ordinarily hear is that there can be frosts even in the middle of the summer season . At any time it can settle to rain , blast you with sun , or quetch up fantastically strong confidential information . Bring layers and an “ unfastened to enjoying whatever go on ” posture .
Hike to waterfalls, lake views, glaciers, and ancient trees
There are19 prescribed hiking trailswith unlike level of difficulty . map can be ground in the Information Center , which is also where you should register to let them love where you design on hike in the park .
The easiest walk would be theIrigoyen Waterfall Trail , which in an easy five hour will have you cutting through forests and along the river for purview of a tranquil falls . This one is good if you just need to get out of the car for a few minutes to load your leg .
A step up , but still an well-fixed walk of life , is theMirador Lago Verde trail , which is 1.3 miles with an pinnacle gain of 200 foot that study you up to a picturesque lake overlook , an ideal spot for busting out a thermos and salute yerba mate like a local .
For a best chance to see wildlife , theLago Verde & Glacier Mirador Trailis a 5.1 mile fond loop lead with an elevation profit of 1,158 metrical unit , still easy doable if you ’re in decent walk shape and require to experience like you did a “ real ” wage increase .
If you ’re feeling extra ambitious , judge climbing El Dedal Peak ( high difficultness , survive about seven hour ) . From the height , you could see part of Futalaufquen Lake , the Situación Peak , and the Desaguadero River valley .
If you want something with a bit more flair , sample trek the 24,000 - year - sometime Torrecillas glacier . You ’ll need tobook this excursionahead of time , as it requires a 40 - minute boat drive and a certified guide .
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And if you have hail this far to see alerce trees , you ca n’t bequeath without a visit to theAlerzal Milenario . gravy boat leave from Puerto Chucao to cross Lago Menéndez , where you disembark and follow a trail toone of the oldest trees on Earth , “ El Abuelo . ” project this excursion ahead of time , as there are few gravy boat options per day and the limited just the ticket deal out fast in the summer .
The trails are well - marked and render authentic data . If you hail when there ’s snow , head up that the covered trails will be difficult to succeed — they are n’t exactly well - trodded in the winter .
Drink wine, explore ice tunnels, or ride the Old Patagonian Express
After you ’re done hiking , there ’s so much more to do in the area . you could horseback rag orexplore ice burrow , or be decadently lazy and take in the Patagonian scenery byboat excursion . To further savour the water , you canrent a kayakor fly fish ( fishing time of year is November 1 - May 1 ) . Or just find yourself a sequestrate blot on a pebbled beach , eat a picnic lunch of empanadas , then siesta unapologetically for the relaxation of the good afternoon . Just outside the park are the microbrewery of Esquel ( and a wonderfully inner and well - stocked wine taproom calledHache Patagonia ) . From there , you could also rideLa Trochita , a still - functioning steam engine railroad train . have it away as the Old Patagonian Express , it feels like you ’re being send to a different era . Nearby isPiedra Paradafor world - year rock climbing .
Head towards Trevelin for wine taste atCasa Yague(the secondly - most southern wine maker in the world ) orContra Corriente . If you occur to be in Ithiel Town belated October or early November , mark off out the tulip field nearby in full bloom . Also in Trevelin , Fondo Surserves up upscale but never pretentious farm - to - table solid food , or take in high tea leaf with all kind of scrumptious dessert made with intemperate cream at one of the Welsh tea houses in town .
A quick and easygoing jaunt over the Chilean border ( just a few miles outside of Trevelin ) will bring you in Futaleufu , home of some of the planet ’s top livid weewee rafting .
Turismo Esquel
Argentina Is Open—Here Are the Mountains to See, Wines to Drink, and Tangos to Dance
Summer in December? Yes, please.
Where to stay near Los Alerces
If you ’re on a packer ’s budget or just feel like go bumpkinly , you could camp in one of the sevenorganized campgrounds with infrastructureor nine wild camps . specially if you plan on traveling in the summer month , reserve a position forrader of sentence . There are multiple cabins and hostels in the parking area as well , but nigh to the park outside of Esquel isHuemules , a glamping company offering informal noodle that make for a very comfortable and memorable stop . The vineyard ofCasa Yaguein Trevelin also rents out homey secret cabanas .
Ready to hit the park? Check out our tool kit to get started:
Turismo Esquel
Turismo Esquel
Turismo Esquel
Turismo Esquel
urismo Esquel
Huemules - Reserva de Montaña
