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Numerous opportunities exist for the foot
traveler in this part of Chile. From steep forested ascents to long
valley walks, peak bagging and multi day backpack trips, you can find
an incredible diversity of places to go on foot.
 Nearby
Parque Pumalin offers a network of trails along the fiords and through
magnificent old growth forests including the Alerce trees which have
been know to attain ages of 3500 years. The Park has done an excellent
job of creating a low impact trail system and many days can be spent
exploring all that it has to offer. Without the trail system here, the
rain forest is virtually un-penetrable so these new trails are opening
up areas that have never been seen by a human.
For the backpacker it is possible to walk from the coast through the
park to our lodge in 8 days, stopping at a delightful hot springs for a
soak on the third or fourth day.
From the Valle Bonito Lodge one of our favorite walks entails taking
a boat ride 8 miles across lovely Lago Espolón. From the head end of
the Lake, the walk through the upper valley is sure to make you drop
your jaw in wonder at the incredible mountain scenery. For the
energetic, the mountainsides on either side of the valley can be
ascended to great heights and the views are simply amazing. There are
also trails around the lake that penetrate the rain forest and take you
through old growth forests in the shadow of the huge crags that
surround it.
Lagos Noreste and La Rosa can be reached from the Futaleufú valley in a few
hours of hiking. These alpine lakes are not only beautiful they are the
stepping off point for the many peaks that surround them. By using
horses to pack the gear, we can set up camp in many of these high
valleys and enjoy numerous peak bagging options and some great fishing
as well.
For the adventurous peak bagger, this area is a paradise. Unnamed and rarely, if ever climbed peaks surround the Valle Bonito in every direction. Steep forested ascents of 2000-3000 feet lead to rugged alpine country and ascents of 5000-7000 vertical feet are necessary to to gain the uppermost ridgelines and peaks. Above treeline in this part of Patagonia is a special place. The far reaching vistas encompass seemingly endless peaks, glaciers, lakes, rivers and remote valleys. Access to these areas is difficult and the backcountry traveler should prepare for long, hard days on marginal to non existent trails.
Of course you don't have to be a peak bagger to enjoy some of the great walks right from the Lodge. The Devils' Throat is a 3 hour round trip hike from the Lodge that visits Lago Espolon and the Devils' Throat, a breathtaking gorge that is the outlet of the Lake and the beginning of the Espolon River. Falling over 500 feet in less than a mile, it is an impressive site. The 6 mile walk to the town of Futaleufu follows the Espolon River through lush pasture land into the coolest town in Southern Chile. A full day can be spent walking to town and back, enjoying great scenery and Chilean culture on the way.
Numerous other intriguing walks are within a short shuttle drive of the Lodge and on these we can explore the local Huemul Reserve(an endangered deer species), picnic on the Futaleufu River, wander the verdant shorelines of scenic mountain lakes and trek up remote river valleys under an impressive canopy of mountains and glaciers. Whatever your walking pleasure, there are many opportunties here to experience some of the finest scenery on earth from your own two feet.
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Hiking