Puyehue National Park

Puyehue National Park is very well organized, it offers a variety of trails for all levels, and has several information centers, lodgings, camping, restaurants, and hot springs. The 107,000-hectare park (264,290 acres) lies between the Caulle Mountains and the Puyehue volcano, and is divided into three sectors: Anticura, Aguas Calientes and Antillanca. Anticura lies to the east just before the border with Argentina where a ranger station, hiking trail heads and 16km (10 miles) of travel for backpackers around the Puyehue volcano. There are also short walks up to the Salto del Indio waterfall, where you can find native trees known as evergreen coihues, which are 800 years old. To reach Antillanca, visitors must first pass through the Aguas Calientes sector, where hot springs, 28 rustic cabins (five beds each, all with kitchens), a restaurant, campgrounds and a park information center can be found. The most popular excursion in this region is the rise to a spectacular viewpoint over the Raihuén crater; it can be reached on foot or in a vehicle about 4 km (21 / 2 miles) outside the hotel and the Antillanca ski center. This viewpoint can be accessed only during the warmer months (or during the ski season through the center lift) and is not worth it on a cloudy day. The view stretches out to Argentina. The ranger information stations are open every day from 9am to 1pm and 2 to 6pm, at these you can obtain an information pack about the region's flora and fauna, and be issued fishing licenses.

How Much Do We Love This Place?

The Good

• Remarkably beautiful area, with thick groves of junglelike forest.
• A fair number of outdoor activities
• Several good lodging options in the area

The Bad

• You won't find a tourist-oriented town here.
• The road from Osorno to Puyehue is rather flat and banal
• The city of Osorno is considered by Chileans as one of the least attractive cities in Chile

Somewhere Special To Stay

HOTEL	FROM	iCATEGORY
Termas Puyehue	184 USD
Sonesta Osorno	103 USD