Alerce Andino National Park

Alerce Andino was created in 1982 to protect stands of Fitzroya cupressoides in the Andes east of Puerto Montt, some of the trees over a thousand years old and a few far more. Alerce timber was cut here from the colonial period onwards and used for everything on this coast - shingles, boats, houses - because it resists rot almost indefinitely; the species was reduced drastically and has been a protected natural monument since 1976, so cutting living trees is prohibited. The park holds around fifty small lakes and is very wet, with dense understorey of ferns, bamboo and moss. Pumas and pudu, the small southern deer, live in it.

What you actually see

• Old alerce stands - trees over a thousand years old.
• A timber that resists rot - which is why the species was nearly wiped out.
• Protected since 1976 - cutting living trees is prohibited.
• Around fifty small lakes - through very wet forest.

When to go

December to March; the park is extremely wet the rest of the year. A full day.

Honest expectations

Rain is close to constant and trails are muddy in any month. Access roads are gravel. Facilities are basic and some sectors have limited hours. It is an hour from Puerto Montt but feels remote.

Nearby

Puerto Montt is west; Hornopiren and the Carretera Austral are south.