Los Alerces National Park is one of the most pristine protected areas in Argentine Patagonia, located in northwest Chubut province at the foot of the Andes, covering 263,000 hectares of native Andean-Patagonian forest, glacial lakes and ancient alerce trees that survived the 19th and 20th-century logging boom. Created in 1937 to protect the last large alerce stand in Argentina, the park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, joining Los Glaciares, the Jesuit Missions, Quebrada de Humahuaca, Cueva de las Manos and Ischigualasto-Talampaya. The centerpiece is the Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides), the second longest-living tree species on Earth after California's bristlecone pine — the park's "Alerce Abuelo" is over 2,620 years old (radiocarbon dated), reaches 57 meters in height and has a 2.2-meter trunk diameter. Alerces grow extraordinarily slowly (about 1 mm per year), which is why they fell prey to industrial logging — by 1937 most accessible alerces had been cut, and the park's creation stopped the practice. The park's geography is dominated by a system of interconnected lakes: Lake Futalaufquen (the main one, with Villa Futalaufquen visitor center and most lodgings), Lake Verde, Lake Menéndez (gateway to the Alerzal Milenario), Lake Rivadavia and Lake Krüger, all interconnected by the Arrayanes River and surrounded by virgin coihue, lenga, ñire and arrayán forest. The water is famously crystal-clear (visibility up to 12 meters in Lake Menéndez), reflecting the snowcapped Andes around. Wildlife includes huemul (endangered Andean deer, the park is one of the last refuges), pudú, puma, condor, rufous-tailed plant cutter and the iconic Magellanic woodpecker. The park entrance is in Villa Futalaufquen, 50 km from Esquel via Provincial Route 71. Activities include the famous Alerzal Milenario excursion (full-day boat ride on Lake Menéndez + 2 km walk through millennial alerces, USD 95), trekking trails of varying difficulty (Cinco Saltos, El Dedal, Pinturas Rupestres), kayaking, world-class fly fishing for trout, photography and camping. Despite its UNESCO status, Los Alerces remains relatively uncrowded compared to Bariloche or El Calafate — it sees only 100,000 annual visitors, ensuring solitude.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Esquel | 50 km | 50 min |
| Esquel Airport (EQS) | 65 km | 1 h 5 |
| Trevelin | 75 km | 1 h 15 |
| Bariloche | 295 km | 4 h |
| El Bolsón | 175 km | 2 h 30 |
| Comodoro Rivadavia | 565 km | 7 h |
Typical prices by category
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Park entry (foreigner) | USD 35 |
| Park entry (Argentine non-resident) | USD 18 |
| Park entry (Argentine resident) | USD 8 |
| Park entry (Chubut resident) | USD 4 |
| Alerzal Milenario excursion (full day) | USD 95 |
| Lake Verde navigation (half day) | USD 55 |
| Fishing license (foreigner, day) | USD 25 |
| Hostería Futalaufquen (4★, double) | USD 180-280 |
| Camping per person | USD 8-15 |
| Fly fishing guide (full day) | USD 250-450 |
| Kayak rental (half day) | USD 35-50 |
2026 rates. Park entry valid 48 hours. Alerzal Milenario book 1-2 weeks ahead in high season.
The Iconic Excursion — Alerzal Milenario
The full-day Alerzal Milenario tour is the must-do experience and a UNESCO highlight:
- 9:00 — Puerto Chucao boarding (Lake Menéndez): wooden catamaran for 80 passengers.
- 9:30-11:15 — Lake Menéndez navigation: sail past pristine waters with 12m visibility, Cerro Torrecillas (2,253m), Patagonian forest banks.
- 11:30-14:00 — Alerzal Milenario walk: 2 km guided trail through ancient alerces. The Alerce Abuelo (2,620 years) is the climax — touching it is the unmissable moment.
- 14:00-15:00 — Lunch: bring your own (no kiosk). Eat by the lake.
- 15:00-17:00 — Return navigation: sail back, often spotting condors above Cerro Torrecillas.
- 17:30 — Disembark Puerto Chucao: total full day USD 95.
Trails of Los Alerces
Cinco Saltos Trail
Distance: 4 km round trip. Time: 2 hours. Difficulty: easy. From Lake Verde, the trail follows the Arrayanes River past five small waterfalls. Family-friendly, well-marked.
El Dedal Trail
Distance: 12 km round trip. Time: 7-8 hours. Difficulty: hard. Elevation: 1,000m. Climbs to Cerro El Dedal (1,916m) for panoramic views over Lake Futalaufquen and the entire park. The hardest day-hike in the park.
Pinturas Rupestres Trail
Distance: 1 km round trip. Time: 30 min. Difficulty: easy. Short walk to a rock overhang with 3,000-year-old Tehuelche paintings. Good for families and beginners.
Krüger Lake Trail
Distance: 25 km round trip. Time: 2 days (camping). Difficulty: medium-hard. Multi-day trek to Lake Krüger, the most remote of the park's lakes. Wilderness camping required.
Tours and Experiences
Alerzal Milenario Full Day
The signature park excursion: Lake Menéndez navigation + 2 km walk through 2,620-year-old alerces. Bilingual guide, lunch not included.
Los Alerces 2-Day Tour from Bariloche
Two-day tour Bariloche-Esquel-Los Alerces with hotel night in Esquel, full park visit including Alerzal Milenario, Welsh-tea in Trevelin.
Fly Fishing in Los Alerces (full day)
World-class fly fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout in the Arrayanes River and lakes. Certified guide, equipment, lunch.
Two-Day Itinerary
Recommended classic itinerary for first-time visitors:
- Day 1: Arrive from Esquel, settle at Villa Futalaufquen lodging. Lake Futalaufquen viewpoint circuit. Pinturas Rupestres trail. Sunset at Bahía Rosales.
- Day 2: Full-day Alerzal Milenario excursion (8:30 departure to Puerto Chucao). Return at 18:00 for lake-view dinner.
- Optional Day 3: El Dedal trail OR fly fishing morning + Lake Verde navigation afternoon.
- Optional Day 4: Drive to Trevelin (Welsh village), Welsh tea-time, return to Esquel for departure.
See also: Esquel, Bariloche, El Bolsón, Trekking in Patagonia.
