Numerous hiking opportunities exist in the Patagonia of Chile and Argentina. From gentle valley walks to steep forested ascents, peak bagging and multi day backpack trips, we can take you to an incredible diversity of breathtaking places 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.

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 in the area. There is an easy 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. A favorite option on the way home is to visit Eagle Rock(pictured above) for a sweet taste of classic Chilean scenery.

Many other excellent walks lie within a short distance of the Lodge and on these we can explore the local Huemul Reserve (an endangered deer species), walk along the Futaleufu River, wander the lush shorelines of scenic mountain lakes and trek up remote river valleys under an impressive canopy of mountains and glaciers. 

Just across the Argentine Border and an hour north of Esquel is the lovely Los Alerces National Park. Comprised of 650,00 acres of lakes, rivers, huge mountains and ancient Alerce forests, the Park has excellent hiking and interpretive trails. On our week long trips here, we will stay at a luxurious Hosteria on Lago Verde while enjoying the fine network of trails that the Park has to offer. On some days we will cross the Lake system by boat and begin our hiking adventure with a scenic boat access to remote parts of the Park.