Chiloe National Park

The park runs along the western coast of Chiloe, where the island faces the open Pacific: dunes, long beaches, peat bogs and dense evergreen forest of tepu, coigue and arrayan, in one of the wettest climates in Chile. It protects the Chiloe fox, a subspecies of Darwin's fox confined to the island, along with pudu and a large number of birds. Trails run from Cucao through the dunes and into the forest, including a boardwalk over the bog. The Huilliche communities living around the park are involved in its management, and some sectors are on their land.

What you actually see

• Dunes and Pacific beaches - on Chiloe's exposed western side.
• Dense evergreen forest - tepu, coigue and arrayan on peat.
• The Chiloe fox - a Darwin's fox subspecies found only here.
• Huilliche involvement - communities managing parts of the park.

When to go

December to March. A full day.

Honest expectations

It rains here on most days of most months and the trails are boardwalk and mud. The Pacific here is cold and dangerous - swimming is not sensible. Facilities are camping and a visitor centre. Roads in are gravel.

Nearby

Cucao is at the gate; the Muelle de las Almas is south along the coast.