Alerce Andino National ParkAlerce Andino National Park at a Glance
About Alerce Andino National Park
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 9° - 20° | 15° | 97 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.6h |
| February | Good | 8° - 20° | 14° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 3.9 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.5h |
| March | Good | 7° - 18° | 12° | 152 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 12.2h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 15° | 8° | 193 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| May | Poor | 4° - 12° | 5° | 312 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| June | Poor | 2° - 9° | 3° | 325 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| July | Poor | 2° - 9° | 2° | 316 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| August | Poor | 2° - 9° | 2° | 255 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 11° | 4° | 191 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.7h |
| October | Poor | 4° - 14° | 7° | 137 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.1h |
| November | Acceptable | 6° - 17° | 11° | 137 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.3h |
| December | Good | 8° - 19° | 13° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.9h |
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.