Los Alerces National Park

Information

It is a protected area in the west of the province of Chubut, in the Argentinean Patagonia. It has a surface area of 259822 hectares, which is the sum of the areas with the management categories of national park, strict natural reserve and protected area with managed resources. It corresponds to the Patagonian forest ecoregion and preserves its landscapes, flora and fauna. An emblem of the park is the alerce or lahuán (Fitzroya cupressoides), which is a conifer of the cypress family that is characterised by being a species of great height and longevity, of which there is a specimen near Lake Menéndez that is 2,600 years old.

It has natural attractions in its Andean forests such as rivers, waterfalls, lakes and lagunas (like lakes). It has infrastructure for tourists such as day-use areas, camping sites, walkways, viewpoints, trails and nautical excursions. There are lakes that can be accessed directly, such as the Futalaufquen, Verde, Rivadavia and the Amutui Quimey reservoir, and there are others that can be reached by hiking, such as the Menéndez and Krüger lakes.

The main access routes are:
- From the north from the town of Cholila taking Provincial Route 71 towards the south. You get to Lake Rivadavia.
- From Esquel and Trevelin you intercept route 71 and head north. It leads to Lake Futalaufquen.
- From Trevelin you go southwest parallel to the Grande or Futaleufú River to the Amutui Quimey reservoir.

In principle, in high season there is a daily public transport (please consult and confirm if it works and timetables) that goes from Esquel to Cholila and another one that makes the return trip, which crosses the park passing by some of its lakes.

The best time to visit the park is approximately between November and April. If you visit the park during the winter (mid-year) you should take into account that temperatures may be very low and some areas may be inaccessible.