Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Puyehue National Park is located in the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile and is part of the Andes mountain range, encompassing volcanic peaks, dense Valdivian temperate rainforests, and several glacial lakes. The park’s terrain is dominated by notable volcanoes including Puyehue, Casablanca, and Alerce, which shape the landscape with dramatic lava flows and rugged ridges. Established in 1941, the park protects approximately 117,000 acres of diverse ecosystems ranging from lush forests to alpine meadows and geothermal zones. It is renowned for its biodiversity, hosting native wildlife such as pudú deer, kodkod wildcats, foxes, and a variety of bird species, including the Chilean pigeon and Andean condor. Visitors are often drawn to the park’s extensive network of hiking trails that traverse waterfalls, volcanic craters, and ancient alerce (Fitzroya) trees—giants of the southern forests and some of the oldest living trees in the world. The park also offers famous hot springs, such as the Puyehue Hot Springs Resort, which provide natural thermal baths fed by geothermal activity beneath the volcanic earth. Outdoor recreation includes hiking, bird watching, fishing, camping, and in winter, snow trekking and backcountry skiing. Puyehue National Park’s stunning combination of forest, volcanic landscape, and thermal springs makes it a compelling destination for eco-tourism and adventure in Chilean Patagonia.
