Queulat National Park

Queulat National Park comprises 380,772 acres. It starts a little bit further to the north of the Risopatrón lake extending all the road to the Ventisquero inlet. Queulat Nacional Park is divided in many areas that can be visited. The main attractions of Queulat Nacional Park are the glaciers, rivers and, especially, the virgin forest, never before crossed by trails nor implemented for settlers. Large part of the territory of Queulat National Park remains unexplored. Queulat National Park is the only park in Chile that can be traveled by car.

In the nearby areas next to Queulat National Park, we’ll find the Puyuhuapi Port (Puerto Puyuhuapi), which in Mapudungun language means “island of the puyes (a small lake fish)”. Puyuhuapi counts with a population of about 600 and is a port village with a random design. It has big wood houses of many stories and gardens that are permanent witnesses of its history. Four young German settlers arrived to this impenetrable forest in 1935, influenced by the stories of the explorer Hans Steffen. Together with their families, started a prosperous agricultural and agro industry activity. At then end of 1980’s, the settlers with machinery donated by German organizations built a road up to the Césares. This contributed to the final decision made by Public Urban Planning Ministry to have the Carretera Austral  pass through here and not Lago Verde.

Currently, Puerto Puyuhuapi, counts with basic services such as telephone, fax, good hotels and gas. It stands out the Puyuhuapi Port, the German lodging house, open year round, the Ludwing House (Casa Ludwing), both typical of the German hospitality, and the Puyuhuapi House (Casona Puyuhuapi), which is a beautiful wood building. There are also other lodging houses available.

In your visit to Puyuhuapi Port, do not miss the Carpet Factory , which’s a local industry of high quality, founded in 1945 by the settler Walter Hopperdietzel, a textile engineer. It was extended in 1947 with the assistance of his brother and father, both experts in textiles who arrived after the Second World War. Guided visits are provided that allow you to see the manufacturing process of carpets, from the process of wool dyeing, until the weaving of the patterns knot by knot. The perfection and quality achieved are amazing, while preserving its traditional component.

Puyuhuapi Hotel & SPA Hot Springs

The Puyuhaupi Hot Springs (Las Termas de Puyuhuapi) is located in the west bank of the Ventisquero Inlet, amongst an exuberant native forest of giant ferns. It offers excellent hotels, cabins and a restaurant, bar, thermal pools and spectacular SPA that has a large covered pool with hydro massages and Jacuzzis of hot sea water, a gym and massage rooms. From the springs ground and sea trips are organized, such as the fantastic trip to the San Rafael Lagoon aboard the Patagonia Express Catamaran.

El Colgante Snowfield

Passing by the houses of the wardens of Queulat Nacional Park, you will reach a parking lot with a view to the massif of snowfields. Among them stand out the El Colgante, with a waterfall caused by the melting of the ice. There’s an area for camping and picnic. You will also find three trails, one of which leads through the forest to a viewpoint over the Snowfield (Ventisquero). The second one, starts by crossing the river on a footbridge where begins the road to the Témpanos lagoon, extended through 1,968 feet, that ends up in a dock. The last trail, of 10,662 feet, goes to the moraine and it lasts 2:30 hours. Going up the moraine to a panoramic viewpoint, gives you the perfect spot to see ice falling from the glaciers.

Queulat Cabins (Cabañas Queulat) are located at the banks of the fjord and surrounded by nature. There are diverse facilities, including, motorboats and fishing services, and also excursions to observe the marine and bird fauna. It’s an excellent place to make a break in your journey and explore around.

On the north side of Queulat Slope, a natural stair up to the hill, of 17 wide curves and well designed. It offers visits to the unique views of the great valley of the river, the glacier wall and the native forest. Take a stop to enjoy the Padre García waterfall, with a fall of more than 98.4 feet, called like this in homage to José García Alsué, a Jesuit of Chiloé who explored this area in 1766 searching for the mythical City of the Caesars (Ciudad de los Césares). Going down by a trail to the left, you will see a large amount of ferns and lichens.

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