Entrance Fee
$250 ARS (foreigner)
Highlights
Alerce Trees
Glacier Torrecillas
Parque Nacional Los Alerces is a national park in Chubut, Argentina. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017 and is home to some of earth's oldest living creatures: Alerce trees — some of which are over 3,000 years old. Alerce trees were once abundant in this part of Patagonia, thriving in the wet Valdivian-rainforest climate present here. Due to extensive logging and land-clearing over the last ~200 years, the trees are now are a threatened species. Established in 1937, Parque Nacional Los Alerces features an extensive network of lakes and rivers. Most of the park's services are clustered around the park's southernmost lake, Lago Futalaufquen (in the Mapuche language, futa="big/great" and laufquen="lake").
The Alerce Tree
Flora Profile
The Alerce tree, sometimes called the Patagonian Cypress, is the largest tree species in South America. It can grow to a height of 70 meters with a trunk diameter of 5 meters. The tree was first "discovered" by Charles Darwin, whom observed the tree during his expedition to Patagonia aboard the HMS Beagle.
Parque Nacional Los Alerces is home to Argentina's largest Alerce forest. In the park, you'll find the trees are especially prominent in the north Lago Menéndez area. The oldest known Alerce – named Gran Abuelo – is estimated to be 3,646 years old, making it the second oldest known living tree in the world (after a 5,067 year old bristlecone pine from California).
Trekking in Los Alerces
Camino a Puerto Chucao
Best Day Hike
Blue Track
From Río Arrayanes, cross the suspension bridge on the south side of Laguna Verde. Follow the loop counter-clockwise and pass a beach area on Laguna Verde (and the sendero leading to Cerro El Petizo). From the far west end of the loop, there are glacier views.
| Trailhead | -42.726406, -71.740430 |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~4 km (loop) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Cycling Los Alerces
The road inside the park is 100% ripio — conditions vary from hard-packed dirt to loose stones with intermittent embedded boulders (caution: these can be slippery!). Directions are easy: stay on the park's only road, Ruta Provincial 71 (RP-71), as it hugs the eastern shores of Lagos Verde, Menéndez, and Futalaufquen. Although precipitation levels here are lowest in January and February, rain is almost inevitable year-round. Plan and dress accordingly! You'll almost certainly need to navigate water crossings, which can be fast-flowing and (sometimes) above knee-deep. If the fog clears, you'll enjoy spectacular views of lakes, snow-capped mountains, rivers and valleys.
Other Park Activities
Kayaking
Kayak rentals and tours are available through a few companies based in nearby Esquel. Camping Río Arrayanes also has kayaks available for hire.
Fishing
Fishing licenses are processed at Puerto Limonao (on Lago Futalaufquen) – there, you can also find fishing gear/equipment rentals. Please fish responsibly.
Lake Excursions
Boat excursions are available to Glacier Torrecilla and Viejo Lahuan, the Alerce Tree that's more than 2,600 years old. Boats leave from Puerto Limonao on Lago Futaleufquen and Puerto Chucao on Lake Menéndez.
