Puyehue National Park

Salto del Indio, Puyehue

Parque Nacional Puyehue, established in 1941 and expanded in 1950 and 1981, is managed by the National Forestry Corporation. It is part of the Temperate Rainforests of the Southern Andes Biosphere Reserve and covers an area of 107,000 hectares.

Located 80 km east of the city of Osorno, the park lies between the Los Lagos and Los Rios regions and is considered the gateway to northern Chilean Patagonia. Puyehue is divided into three sectors: Antillanca, Anticura, and Aguas Calientes, each offering different natural attractions and tourist services.

Puyehue features a diverse range of natural landscapes, including volcanoes, lakes, rivers, forests, and hot springs. The park also boasts rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, which can be explored through its trails and viewpoints. Historically, this region was inhabited by Huilliche communities, the southernmost branch of the Mapuche people. Many local legends originate from this ancestral period.

Puyehue National Park is one of Chile's most iconic and significant national parks, known for its numerous natural attractions. It draws an increasing number of tourists each year, supported by robust tourism infrastructure amidst the pristine beauty of the region.

Climate

The climate of the entire area is temperate and rainy, with heavy rainfall occurring throughout the year, averaging 3,000 mm annually. Temperatures range between 41°F and 64°F, or slightly higher, depending on the season and altitude.

In winter, in the area near the Andes, the rain turns into snow, with temperatures ranging from 17°F to 50°F. 

Location of Puyehue


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How to get to Puyehue National Park

To reach the Nature Sanctuary, take the CH 215 International Route, which is fully paved. This road connects the city of Osorno in Chile with the tourist city of San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina. At kilometer 76, you’ll find the U-215 fork leading to Aguas Calientes and Antillanca. There are bus services with daily departures to Puyehue from Puerto Montt, the capital of the Los Lagos Region. These departures increase in frequency during the summer.

The peak tourist season runs from December to early March, but any time is a good time to visit the park. Summer is ideal for outdoor activities such as excursions to the main attractions—Salto del Indio, Salto de la Princesa, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and visits to the Raihuen crater and the Casablanca stratovolcano. In winter, you can enjoy skiing at Antillanca Mountain Resort and contrast it with a relaxing session at Aguas Calientes or the Termas de Puyehue Thermal Baths.


Main features, attractions

Termas de Puyehue Wellness & Spa Resort

 The heavy rainfall in southern Chile gives rise to the evergreen forests typical of this region.

The park's topography is a result of glaciations and volcanic activity that shaped the Andean massif.

  • Numerous lakes of great beauty and valleys, such as those of the Gol-Gol and Chanleufú rivers, can be found here. Among its main attractions are the stunning waterfalls: Salto del Indio, Salto de La Princesa, Los Novios, and magnificent lakes such as El Encanto, Toro, and Rupanco—one of the most beautiful in Chile, to name a few.

Additionally, Puyehue features thermal baths that are a popular attraction for visitors. Located near Puyehue Lake, these natural hot springs offer therapeutic properties, making Puyehue an ideal spot to relax and enjoy nature.

  • One of the most well-known and frequently visited tourist centers is the Puyehue Hot Springs. They offer both outdoor and indoor thermal pools with mineral-rich waters believed to have therapeutic benefits. In addition to the pools, some facilities may include saunas, steam rooms, and spa treatments.

  • Termas Aguas Calientes is a thermal center within the park, offering a natural and relaxing environment. The hot springs are a result of the area’s geothermal activity and provide a unique experience amid nature.

  • The Centro Turístico Anticura, also located within the park, is just a few meters from the Cardenal Samoré International Pass. It provides camping facilities, cabins, and access to trails that allow visitors to explore various waterfalls, viewpoints, and the natural surroundings. The center also offers services such as parking, a gym, a bar, children's activities, and it is pet-friendly.

The volcanic zone is more prominent in Antillanca, where the Casablanca stratovolcano, several craters, and volcanic groups stand out. To the north, the Puyehue volcano and the Caulle volcanic complex feature recent lava flows, thermal waters, and geysers.   

Flora:
Image: Termas Aguas Calientes, Puyehue
The dense vegetation is composed of a variety of species. In the lowest places you can find Ulmo and Coigüe along with Olivillo and Tineo. The undergrowth is abundant in bushes, lianas ferns, mosses and lichens, which give rise to a great floristic richness. At higher altitudes, are found Tepa and Mañío woods along with large Coigües, a species that at high parts becomes predominant. Near the vegetational limit, Coigüe de Magallanes and Lenga forests extend.

Fauna: Among the mammals, you can find the Puma, South American Gray Fox, Ferret, Coypu, Wildcats, Vizcachas, Monito del Monte (a small marsupial), and Skunks. Bird species include the Torrent Duck, Magellanic Woodpecker, Eared Doves, Black-throated Huet-Huets, Red-backed Hawk, Condors, Slender-billed Parakeet, Great Grebe, House Wren, and Buff-necked Ibis.

Other Attractions near Puyehue

* Antillanca Ski Center and Mountain Resort 
 
 

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