Puyehue National Park

Salto del Indio, Puyehue

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

It is located 80 Km. East of the city of Osorno, between Los Lagos and Los Rios Regions, considered the entrance to the Northern Chilean Patagonia. Puyehue is divided into three sectors: Antillanca, Anticura and Aguas Calientes, which offer diverse natural attractions and tourist services. 

Puyehue offers a great variety of natural landscapes, including volcanoes, lakes, rivers, forests and hot springs. It also has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, which can be appreciated on its trails and viewpoints. Formerly, this part of Chile was inhabited by some Huilliche communities, the southernmost branch of the Mapuche people. Many of the local legends had their origin in that ancestral period. 

Due to the large quantity of natural attractions that it contains, Parque Nacional Puyehue is one of the most emblematic and important national parks in Chile and a growing number of tourists visit it every year, supported by a solid tourist infrastructure in the midst of the beautiful, untouched nature of the region.

Climate

The climate of the whole area is Temperate Rainy, with heavy rains, which occur throughout the year with an average annual rainfall of 3000 mm. The temperature varies between 5°C and 18°C or slightly higher, depending on the season and altitude. 

During the Winter, in the area near the Andes, the rains turn into snow, with temperatures ranging between -8º C an 10º C. 

Location of Puyehue

How to get to Puyehue National Park

To get to the Nature Sanctuary you have to take the CH 215 International Route, entirely paved, this road joins the city of Osorno in Chile with the tourist city of San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina. At km 76 is the U-215 fork that leads to Aguas Calientes and Antillanca. There are bus services with daily departures to Puyehue from Puerto Montt, capital of Los Lagos Region, these departures increase their frequency in summer.

The season of the year with the largest influx of tourists is between December and the beginning of March, although any time is good to visit the park. In Summer are ideal outdoor activities such as excursions to the main attractions, Salto del Indio, Salto de la Princesa, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, visiting the Raihuen crater and the Casablanca Stratovolcano. In Winter, you can enjoy the practice of skiing at Antillanca Mountain Resort and the contrast with a session at Aguas Calientes or Termas de Puyehue Thermal Baths.

Main features, environment

Termas de Puyehue Wellness & Spa Resort

The heavy rainfalls of Southern Chile give origin to the evergreen forests, typical of this part of the country. The Park's topography is the consequence of glaciations and volcanic activity which gave form to the andean massif. There are numerous lakes of great beauty and valleys such as those of rivers Gol-Gol and Chanleufu. Among its main attractions are the beautiful cascades: Salto Del Indio, Salto de La Princesa, Los Novios, and magnificent lakes such as El Encanto, Toro, or Rupanco, one of the most beautiful in Chile, to name just a few. 

The volcanic zone becomes more evident in Antillanca, highlighting the Casablanca Stratovolcano, several craters and volcanic groups. On the north side, are Puyehue Volcano and Caulle Volcanic Complex, with the presence of recent lava flows, thermal waters and geysers.

Flora:

Image: Termas Aguas Calientes, Puyehue

The exuberant forest 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, extend Coigüe de Magallanes and Lenga Forests.

Fauna: Among the mammals are the Puma, the South American Gray Fox, the Huron (Ferret), the Coipo (Coypu), Wildcats, Vizcachas, the Monito del Monte (Little Monkey of the Bush) and the Chingue (Skunks), while among the birds highlight the Pato Correntino (Torrent Duck), the Carpintero Negro (Magellanic Woodpecker), Torcazas (Eared Doves), Black-throated Huet-Huets, the Aguilucho (Red-backed Hawk), Condors, the Choroy (Slender-billed parakeet), Hualas (Great Grebe), the Chercan (House Wren), and Bandurrias (Buff-necked Ibis).

Best Attractions in Puyehue

* Antillanca Ski Center and Mountain Resort 

* Hotel Termas Puyehue Wellness & Spa Resort

* Termas Aguas Calientes Tourist Complex

* Anticura Tourist Center

* Moncopulli Auto Museum