Futaleufú Department: Nature, Hiking and Culture

Futaleufú Department brings together natural heritage, outdoor activities, and Welsh-influenced cultural offerings. Its towns and activities offer different ways to choose your destination.

Hiking Trails and Natural Heritage in Los Alerces National Park

Los Alerces National Park is located in Futaleufú Department. It was established in 1937 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. For a trip that includes a hike, the moderate trail from Villa Futalaufquen to Puerto Limonao is a useful option: it follows the shore of Lake Futalaufquen and is four kilometers long each way. Since the distance given is for one way, remember to account for the return journey when planning your route.

Access also varies depending on which area you are visiting. From Esquel, you can reach the park via National Route 259 and Provincial Route 71 to Villa Futalaufquen. The southern part of the protected area can be reached from Esquel via National Route 259, Trevelin, and the road to the Futaleufú Hydroelectric Complex; this road is 45 kilometers long. So, if the national park is your main focus, it helps to distinguish between the Villa Futalaufquen area and the southern part of the protected area when planning.

Nature and Activities in Esquel

Esquel offers a range of activities. La Hoya Mountain Activity Center is located twelve kilometers from Esquel and offers skiing and snowboarding. Operations are weather-dependent. This is an important distinction from activities that are not described as winter sports: if you plan to visit La Hoya, take the weather dependency into account.

Another highlight is Laguna La Zeta. It is an urban nature reserve established by Ordinance No. 23/13 and managed in a way comparable to a protected landscape area. Kayaking, birdwatching, and trekking offer different ways to experience nature there. From downtown Esquel, a four-kilometer drive leads to the lagoon. On foot, you can reach it through the municipal forests on the outskirts of Esquel or via Arenal. These access options give you different ways to get to the lagoon.

Spring Blossoms and Welsh Tea Culture in Trevelin

The tulip fields bloom every spring in Trevelin. If you want to include this seasonal experience in your trip, take the time of year into account when planning. The bloom offers a different focus from the year-round themes of natural heritage and cultural history: here, spring itself is part of the reason to visit.

Welsh culture also shapes the visitor experience in Trevelin. In Pueblo del Molino, Casa de Té Galés Nain Maggie has been offering tourists Welsh culinary experiences and culture since 1975. It serves Welsh tea as well as cakes and pastries associated with Trevelin’s Welsh history. Both the seasonal bloom and a long-standing tea tradition are concrete themes you can use to shape your trip.

When choosing a hotel in Futaleufú Department, you can focus on the experience you want to define your stay: hiking and natural heritage, activities in Esquel, or Trevelin’s seasonal and cultural side.

Discover more destinations: La Aldea, Lake Futalaufquen, Los Cipreses, Gaiman Department, Viedma, Biedma, Languiñeo Department, Gastre Department.

Go to the main travel overview: Chubut.