Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park (Los Lagos/Aysén)

Overview

Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park is a vast park located in Chilean Patagonia, encompassing parts of the Los Lagos and Aysén regions. It was created in 2018 thanks to land donated by Tompkins Conservation, and its name pays tribute to the American conservationist Douglas Tompkins, who dedicated his life to protecting this area. Pumalín is a sanctuary of temperate rainforest and ancient alerce trees in northern Chilean Patagonia. With access points from Chaitén and Caleta Gonzalo, it offers well-maintained campgrounds and trails leading to viewpoints, waterfalls, and volcanoes, including the Chaitén crater. The park protects a great diversity of landscapes, including ancient alerce forests, fjords, volcanoes, lakes, and waterfalls. With its 402,392 hectares, Pumalín Park is part of the Route of Parks of Patagonia, a conservation corridor that promotes sustainable tourism.

Activities and attractions

• Hiking: The park has a network of 11 trails totaling 75 km, suitable for short walks and full-day hikes.
• Wildlife observation: It is a sanctuary for flora and fauna, with diverse ecosystems home to many species.
• Camping and cabins: The park features camping areas, cabins, and a café in the Caleta Gonzalo sector.

Coordinates

Caleta Gonzalo (north access): -42.459, -72.591

How to get there, distances and times

• Base in Chaitén: From the airport or ferry, travel by road to the different park access points (30–120 min depending on the trail).

Entry / prices (reference 2025)

• Park entry: Free.
• Camping: Fee (usual range CLP $6,000–$10,000 per person depending on area and season).

Classic routes and travel times

• Alerces: 1.5–2 h round trip (easy).
• Escondidas Waterfalls: 2–3 h (moderate).
• Chaitén Volcano: 3–4 h (challenging, stairs and slope).

Recommendations

• Frequent rain: bring waterproofs and grippy footwear.
• Respect boardwalks in alerce areas.