Puyehue National Park

Puyehue covers a stretch of the Andes on the route between Osorno and Bariloche, with Valdivian rainforest on the lower slopes, hot springs at Aguas Calientes, and the Antillanca ski area on Casablanca volcano. In June 2011 the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle system erupted, throwing ash high into the atmosphere; the plume circled the southern hemisphere and grounded flights in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand over the following weeks, and the town of Bariloche across the border was buried in ash. The Anticura sector has trails past waterfalls, and the ash and pumice fields from the eruption are visible on the higher ground.

What you actually see

• Valdivian rainforest - on the lower slopes of the park.
• The 2011 eruption's traces - ash and pumice on the high ground.
• A plume that circled the hemisphere - grounding flights as far as Australia.
• Hot springs and a ski area - Aguas Calientes and Antillanca.

When to go

December to March for walking; June to September for skiing. A full day or more.

Honest expectations

It rains here a great deal - this is one of the wetter parts of the lake district. High trails are closed by snow much of the year. The volcano is monitored and sectors close when activity rises. The main road is a busy international route.

Nearby

Osorno is west; the Cardenal Samore pass to Argentina is east.