Alerce Andino National Park
National Park Patagonian park protecting ancient alerce forests
In Chile’s Los Lagos region, Alerce Andino protects ancient alerce (Fitzroya) trees, temperate rainforest, lakes and waterfalls; visitors hike its trails and photograph moss-draped trunks.
Alerce Andino National Park is a protected area in Chile’s Los Lagos Region established to conserve stands of Fitzroya (alerce) and the surrounding Valdivian temperate rainforest. The park preserves old-growth trees and associated ecosystems typical of southern Chile.
Trails within the park provide access to forests, streams, and mountain scenery and are used for hiking and nature observation. Management focuses on protecting ancient trees and native biodiversity while permitting regulated visitor use.
The park sits inland in the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile, within the temperate rainforest belt that characterises this portion of the country.
- Fitzroya protection: Protects stands of Fitzroya (commonly called alerce), one of the longest-lived tree species in South America and a key component of Valdivian temperate rainforest.
- Administration: Located within Chile's Los Lagos Region and administered as part of the national system of protected areas.
How to Get to Alerce Andino National Park #
The park is located in Los Lagos Region near the Andean foothills west of Puerto Montt. Typical access points are from Puerto Varas or the small towns along Route 225; local buses and private transfers can reach trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Alerce Andino National Park #
- Hire a local guide who knows the alerce trails and can interpret the old trees - many are centuries to millennia old.
- Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens: the trunks of Fitzroya (alerce) trees are massive and need space to be photographed.
- Avoid wet trails after heavy rain; boardwalks and boggy patches can be treacherous without proper footwear.
Best Time to Visit Alerce Andino National Park #
Summer (December-February) offers the most comfortable conditions for trails and camping; expect cool, changeable mountain weather year-round.
Weather & Climate near Alerce Andino National Park #
Alerce Andino National Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 2°C to 20°C. Heavy rainfall (2364 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (152 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (193 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (312 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (325 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (316 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (255 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (191 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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