los alerces national park in Patagonia Argentina
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Los Alerces National Park in Patagonia, Argentina

Los Alerces National Park in Patagonia, Argentina

One of the most beautiful national parks in Patagonia, and one of the most preserved forests in the country. Without a doubt, Los Alerces National Park is a wonder of nature. Located near the town of Esquel in the province of Chubut, 285 km south of Bariloche, Los Alerces National Park awaits you with wonderful rivers and lakes, lush green forests and ancient larch trees.

Los Alerces National Park: General Facts

Bordering the neighboring country of Chile, it protects lahuán or larch forests. Among pristine waterfalls and emerald green lakes, surrounded by younger specimens that make up a thousand-year-old larch tree, emerges the imposing “Grandfather” or “El Abuelo” at 2,620 years old and 60 meters tall, he keeps wise advice in each ring of his trunk.
Los Alerces National Park was created in 1937 and declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2017.

Province: Chubut
Ecoregion: Patagonian Forests
Surface: 259,822 ha
Creation: 1937 (Decree No. 105,433 / 37 ratified by Law No. 13,895)
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2017

 

 

Los Alerces  National Park:  What does Los Alerces National Park protect?

Los Alerces National Park contains the largest Valdivian jungle sector on Argentine soil. In its lush and ancient forests are the southernmost representatives of coligüe cane, arrayán, coihue and larch. The oldest known larch or Alerce is found in the North Arm of Lake Menéndez.

Among the vertebrate animals, mammalian species such as the pudu, the huiña cat, some of the main populations of huemul stand out; birds such as the torrent duck and the Araucanian pigeon; and amphibians such as the larch frog, a species that only lives on an island in Lake Menéndez.

 

los alerces national park - patagonia

 

 

Los Alerces National Park: Weather

Temperate to cold and humid. Average temperatures in low areas range from 14 ° C in summer (with maximums above 30 ° C) and 2 ° C in winter (with minimums of several degrees below zero). Between 800 and more than 3,000 mm per year of precipitation, from east to west, concentrated in the winter season. Usual snowfall in the colder months.
It is recommended to visit in late spring, summer and early fall (November-April).

Los Alerces National Park: Flora

In the middle of the mountain range furrowed by lakes and snowdrifts, the National Park contains the largest portion of Valdivian jungle on Argentine soil. In its lush and ancient forests it treasures the southernmost representatives of coligüe cane, myrtle, coihue and larch trees.

There, in the North Arm of Lake Menéndez is the oldest known larch. One of its individuals is almost 60 meters high, more than 2.20 meters in diameter and 2,600 years old. Without a doubt, larch is our longest-lived and largest tree species.

Los Alerces National Park:  Fauna

Among the vertebrate animals there are mammal species such as the pudú or deer, the huiña cat, some of the main populations of huemul; birds such as the torrent duck and the Araucanian pigeon; and amphibians such as the graceful little frog and the Batrachyla fitzroya frog, exclusive to Lake Menéndez where it was recently discovered.

 

 

los alerces national park - map

 

How to get to Los Alerces National Park?

Los Alerces National Park is located 50 kilometers from the city of Esquel. From this city, you must take RN 259 and RP 71 to the visitor center in Villa Futalaufquen. From the city of El Bolsón, to the north, take the RN 40 and then the and RP 71 that runs through the national park. So, you can fly to Esquel if you want and reach the park, or if you arrived to Bariloche, you can drive to Esquel. You have 284 km in total along the route national 40.

 

Los Alerces National Park: Services

Los Alerces Park has a visitor center in Villa Futalaufquen where the team of park rangers provide information and assist with any questions. To sleep within the national park, you can camp in organized campsites (concessioned and paid) or in wild campsites (free). Cabin complexes, inns and shelters also operate.

The entrance points to the protected area have an institutional presence mainly in high seasons, through which the visitor is provided with the attention and information that they require, but which also serves as a clear indicator that they have entered a protected area. , receiving the corresponding recommendations. The National Park has a Park Rangers Headquarters located in the Municipality, located in Villa Futalaufquen, an information center and 3 regional headquarters: North, Center and South, to which a total of 13 sections are added, the majority located along the along the corridor formed by Route 71. During the summer seasons, the entrance fee to the National Park is implemented on the three facades. The Futalaufquen village is the only urban settlement in the Park, with about 50 homes and 200 inhabitants, most of the population being employees of the National Parks Administration with their families, gendarmes, teachers and school employees.

 

What to see in Los Alerces National Park?

The amazing rivers and lakes you can find in the park, stand out for their purity and, together with the millenial alerzal, are considered paradises that keep their intact essence, so mucho that they are already part of the Unesco list of world natural heritage sites.

The first strategic point on the route through Los Alerces National Park is Villa Futalaufquen, which is located 50 kilometers from Esquel and is bordered to the west by the majestic Cordillera de los Andes. It occupies a total area of ​​259,822 hectares that places it fourth in size among the national parks of Argentina. Its proximity to the mountain range allows the development of a dense Andean Patagonian Forest and in the area of ​​higher rainfall a Valdivian forest grows where the Alerce or Lahuan stands out. These ancient trees are slow growing and their specimens can live between 3000 and 4000 years old and measure more than 70 meters in height.

Main attractions in Los Alerces National Park

Villa Futalaufquen.
Arrayanes River.
Millennial larch.
Rivadavia Lake.
Lake Krügger.
Green lake.
Cerro Alto El Petiso.
Hidden Lagoon.
Irigoyen waterfall.
Tío Mindo waterfall.
Cerro Alto El Dedal.
Five Jumps.
Lago Verde viewpoint.

There are also excursions embarked on a catamaran through different lake circuits in the park

 

 

los alerces national park - general map

 

 

What to do in Los Alerces National Park? Trekking Trails

Los Alerces National Park has a varied proposal to enjoy walks with trails of varying difficulty. In the report center you can find out about the status and availability and make the mandatory registration for the trails that require it. To learn more about the trails, visit Recorré Esquel en Zapatillas.

 

Los Alerces National Park: Central Area

• Cave Paintings: Starts 1 km from the Villa Futalaufquen Information Center. You visit an eaves with cave paintings. PATH WITH ACCESSIBILITY. Then you can continue with a slight ascent to the “divisadero” (viewpoint). Route: 30 minutes (one way) – 823 meters. Difficulty: Medium.

• Puerto Limonao: It begins 600 meters from the Villa Futalaufquen Information Center, there is a 4-kilometer path through the forest, bordering Lake Futalaufquen to Puerto Limonao. Route: 2 hours (one way) – 3 Km. Difficulty: Medium.

• Laguna Larga: Two kilometers from the information center, along a vehicular path, four kilometers are traveled to reach the lagoon that is outside the Park. Tour 2 hours (one way). Difficulty: Medium-Low.

• Alto el Petiso: It starts from Puerto Mermoud, on the shores of Lago Verde. You go through a forest on a snail climb until you reach the Arroyo Zanjón Hondo, you continue along the riverbed to a rib (edge) through which you ascend to the rock that leads to the summit. Total route: 7 hours (one way) – 8 km. Difficulty: High. Requires registration in the park rangers section – Arrayanes River (Before 10 am).

• Cerro Cocinero: It begins 150 meters from the Arroyo Rañinto, with a steep slope until it reaches a high valley. Route: 5 hours (one way) – 4.3 Km. Difficulty: High
REQUIRES COMPULSORY REGISTRATION IN THE INFORMATION CENTER (Villa Futalaufquen) or Portada Centro. (Before 10 am)

• Irigoyen Waterfall: Six kilometers from Villa Futalaufquen, on Provincial Route No. 71. An important waterfall can be observed among a varied vegetation. Route of the first section: 10 minutes (one way) – 149 meters. Difficulty: Low.

• Krugger Lake: It begins 3 km from Puerto Limonao. It is the most complex path in the Park, as it requires more time; Before embarking on this walk, you must consult the authorized sections and register at the Information Center. The path has steep slopes and crosses the Situation cordon through the Portezuelo (1100 m), where you can access Playa Blanca, a place to spend the night, without the possibility of making a fire. Then it continues to Lake Krügger where you can camp or sleep in the refuge. Route: 2 sections of 6 hours each (one way) – 16.5 km. Difficulty: High.

• Lahuán Solitario: It begins by crossing the footbridge of the Arrayanes River, then borders the Menéndez River. Before arriving at Puerto Chucao, you will be able to observe a 300-year-old Lahuán or Alerce (approx.). Route: 1 hour and 30 minutes (one way) – 5 km. Difficulty: Low.

• Lago de las Juntas: Interpretive trail with steep slopes. The road begins by crossing the Arrayanes River and continues bordering the Green Lake to the Ex Mermoud Population. Route: 1 hour and 30 minutes (one way) – 2 km Difficulty: Medium.

• Lago Verde: It begins 1 km from the Lago Verde section. At the end of the path you have an excellent panoramic view of the Verde, Rivadavia and Menéndez lakes. Route 1 hour (one way) -1.6 km. Difficulty: Medium.

• Old Lahuán: It begins at the Arrayanes campsite, bordering the Arrayanes River downstream – until it reaches an 800-year-old Lahuán or Alerce (approx.). Route: 2 hours (one way) 2 km. Difficulty: Low.

• Laguna Escondida: Part from the Arrayanes Section. At the beginning you will find a steep slope which will be smoother until you reach the lagoon. On the way back, there is access to a viewpoint, with views of Lake Menéndez and its surroundings. Route: 3 hours (one way) Difficulty: Medium. REQUIRES COMPULSORY REGISTRATION IN PARK GUARD SECTION (Río Arrayanes Section).

• Quebrada del León: 400 meters to the north by route No. 71. You can access the viewpoint of a waterfall over the stream. Tour: 1 hour. 807 meters. Difficulty: Medium.

 

 

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Los Alerces National Park: north area

• Arroyo del Hacha Waterfall: Part from the Rivadavia Section. A walk is made to a waterfall where you will find a viewpoint of Lake Rivadavia. Route: 45 minutes (one way) – 450 meters. Difficulty: Medium.

 

Los Alerces National Park: south area

• Laguna del Toro: Starts 500 meters from the South Front Information Center, passes through forests of cypress, coihues and ñires to Laguna del Toro which is at the foot of Cerro La Monja and from there, a spectacular view of the Lake Amutui Quimey. . Route: 2 hours (one way) – 4.9 km. Difficulty: Medium. REQUIRES COMPULSORY REGISTRATION IN THE REPORT CENTER OF LA PORTADA SUR.

• Interpretive Trail for the Hydroelectric Complex: It begins 500 meters from the South Front. In a short path you can visit the sites of the old facilities, corresponding to the time when the complex was built. Route: 20 minutes (one way) – 189 meters. Difficulty: Low.

• Cascada de los Tambores: It begins 1 km from the South Front Information Center. You go through a forest of cypress and coihues with quivers, ferns, mosses, until you reach the foot of the waterfall. Route: 10 minutes (one way) – 106 meters. Difficulty: Low.

• Journey to the Raft: It begins on the shores of the Amutui Quimey reservoir with an ascent to a pass. Then a descent to a pampa. From there the path continues along a path, passing through the Burgos population to La Balsa in front of the Ranger Section. Route: 6 hours only one way is enabled (12.6 km). Difficulty: Medium. REQUIRES COMPULSORY REGISTRATION IN THE REPORT CENTER OF THE SOUTH COVER.

• Mirador de los Pozones: A short walk is made that offers a view from the top towards the pools where the rapids of the Futaleufú River formerly formed. Route: 30 minutes – 100 meters. Difficulty: Low.

 

Los Alerces National Park: a Unesco World Heritage

On July 7, 2017 and after several years of complying with all the requirements of the evaluation committee, the incorporation of Los Alerces National Park to the list of World Heritage conferred by UNESCO was confirmed. Among the criteria highlighted for your consideration:

• Contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
• Contain the most representative and important natural habitats for the conservation of biodiversity, including those that contain threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science and conservationism.

 

 

 

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