A Guide to Patagonia National Park
Here is our hiking guide to the Patagonia National Park near Cochrane in Chilean Patagonia, including tips on the best hikes and our favorite trails, how to get there, what to expect, and where to stay.
One of the newest Patagonia's national parks lies near the small town of Cochrane. The park offers several day hiking trails, multi-day treks, epic scenery, and stunning views.
And it's one of the best stops along the Carretera Austral.
And unlike some more popular places in Patagonia, this national park is without crowds. But first things first.
Ask yourself, is there a better way to name a national park in the heart of Chilean Patagonia than simply Patagonia National Park? Probably not.
We still can't believe that none of several national parks along Carretera Austral had carried this name until now.
Although Patagonia National Park is still a fairly new park, as it was officially open at the beginning of 2018, this area already attracts travelers and hikers from all around the world.
There are many good reasons to visit the national park, such as its pristine and diverse landscape, including vast grasslands, snow-capped mountains, deep valleys, glacial rivers, and crystal-clear lakes.
Simply put, Patagonia National Park offers, through its great hikes and unspoiled nature, one of the best ways to explore Chilean Patagonia.
Another impressive thing is the fact that right from the start, Patagonia National Park belongs among Chile's largest national parks as it covers more than three thousand square kilometers.
We don't have to emphasize that this national park is definitely worth visiting and should be on your Patagonia Itinerary.
So here's everything you should know about Patagonia National Park before you go.
Patagonia National Park
Patagonia National Park's origin story has a similar background to one of our favorite national parks in this area, Pumalin National Park.
It is tightly connected with the names of Doug and Kris Tompkins and their foundation.
Doug Tompkins was an American billionaire and co-founder of the worldwide known outdoor brand The North Face, who fell in love with Patagonia.
After leaving the company, he dedicated a big part of his life to land conservation.
And one of the results of their work is Patagonia National Park.
Patagonia National Park consists of the former Lago Jeinimeni National Reserve in the north, Lago Cochrane National Reserve (known as Tamango National Reserve) in the south, and Chacabuco Valley, which lies in between and connects both national reserves.
At first, the journey of creating the national park was definitely not an easy one, and the foundation had to overcome many obstacles along the way.
No wonder why.
First, you need to realize that from the beginning of the 20th century until 2004, when Tompkins bought the land, this area was used for farming and ranching. Everything was about to change.
Local people felt threatened, especially when the part of the region now belonged to a gringo, as they called him.
Fortunately, it did not take long for them to see positive results.
The main idea of establishing a large protected land was not only to open this area to the public. It was a secondary thought.
The primary idea was to restore the fragile ecosystem: improve the odds for Patagonian grasslands, remove all the fences, and get rid of cattle in order to recover flora and improve conditions for the wildlife.
Simply put, to bring back the natural balance.
A lot has changed since 2004, but if your adventures take you near Cochrane, do not forget to make a stop in Patagonia National Park.
You will enjoy an unforgettable day in nature, as the park features some of the best hikes in Patagonia.
Moreover, you will have a chance to witness how local people, tourists, and our environment can profit from sustainable and carefully planned tourism.
Nowadays, the national park belongs to Chile as the Tompkins Conservation donated the land back to the local government.
How to Get to Cochrane
To get to Patagonia National Park, you will most likely have to arrive in Cochrane first.
Cochrane is the nearest town to the park, about 28 kilometers south of the main park's entrance.
We arrived in Cochrane from Puerto Rio Tranquilo. This lovely little village is home to famous Marble Caves, a unique rock formation on General Carrera Lake.
The bus from Puerto Rio Tranquilo runs every day. The journey took almost three hours and cost 10.000 CLP.
Unfortunately, no public transport connects Patagonia National Park with Cochrane (or any other settlement).
If you want to visit the park, you should have a car unless you don't want to hitchhike or take a guided tour from Cochrane.
Hiring a guide is not necessary as you can explore Patagonia National Park on your own, especially if you plan on visiting this area just for a day.
From Cochrane, we took the bus to Villa O'Higgins, a small village that marks the end of the road.
Villa O'Higgins is home to epic scenery and great hikes such as Altavista Trail.
Most importantly, it's a great place to cross the borders from Chile to Argentina on foot.
You can also travel to Tortel, from where you can take a multi-day ferry either to Puerto Montt in the north or Puerto Natales in the south.
Puerto Natales is a port city from where you visit Torres del Paine if you don't want to travel to Argentina.
Another way is to travel to Chile Chico and cross borders to Argentina (in case you have a car) or drive all the way up to Coyhaique (where the airport is), or to Puerto Montt.
How to Get to Patagonia National Park
Technically, there are three entry points to Patagonia National Park.
In the south lies the Tamango National Reserve (also known as Lago Cochrane National Reserve). In the southwest, you can enter the park through Valle Chacabuco.
And in the northeast lies Lago Jeinemeni National Reserve.
Today, the national reserves are transformed into one huge national park, but we use the former names for easier navigation.
As mentioned above, getting to Patagonia National Park is easy if you have a car.
Otherwise, you will have to rely mostly on hitchhiking.
Car
The easiest way to get to Patagonia National Park is, of course, by car. From Cochrane, drive 17 kilometers north, and once you reach a place called El Cruce Entrada Baker, turn right.
Although you are already in the park, you still have to continue 11 kilometers on a dirt road to get to the park office and Lagunas Altas trailhead.
This part of the road doesn't require a 4WD car.
Alternatively, you could start in Chile Chico, drive south via Lago Jeinemeni National Reserve, and enter Patagonia National Park from the north.
Here you will find the best deals on rental cars in Patagonia.
Public Transport
Getting to Patagonia National Park from Cochrane via Valle Chacabuco by bus is not easy. It's time-consuming, especially when not combined with hitchhiking.
When traveling by public transport, take a bus leaving every day from Cochrane to Coyhaique at 6:30 AM or 7 AM (confirm departure time one day ahead as it changes frequently) and ask the driver to drop you off at El Cruce Entrada Baker.
From here, you must either hitchhike (it is much easier in the summer from November to late February) or walk two hours to the park's office.
Remember, this 11-kilometer stretch of gravel road is not why you arrived here.
To get back, you must retrace your steps to the main road (by walking or hitchhiking once again) and here hitch a ride to Cochrane or wait for the everyday bus from Puerto Rio Tranquilo passing by between 4 PM and 5 PM.
Hitchhiking
If you want to enter Patagonia National Park via Valle Chacabuco, it almost seems that hitchhiking is inevitable at some point.
Another way is to hitchhike all the way from Cochrane.
In this case, start early and wait at the northwest end of the town. Remember that hitchhiking outside the peak season will be much harder.
On Foot
Getting to Patagonia National Park on foot from Cochrane via Tamango is possible but requires serious hiking, at least if you want to reach Lagunas Altas Trail.
The distance between Cochrane and Tamango is about four kilometers which can be easily covered on foot.
Tours
The easiest but most expensive way to see Patagonia National Park is with a guided tour.
The local tour operators offer both day trips and multi-day treks, but most importantly, it's the easiest way to see the park and some of its most beautiful places.
This guided Jeinimeni Lake Tour from Chile Chico will allow you to explore the northern part of the Patagonia National Park.
What to See and Do in Patagonia National Park
One of the most important things you should know about Patagonia National Park is that it's huge.
And seeing the park in one day is simply not enough.
As many visitors come to visit the park on a day trip, that doesn't leave them with that many options.
Without any questions, the best way to see Patagonia National Park is to spend a day in the great outdoors.
There are several hikes and multi-day treks you can do on your own or with a local guide.
One of the most popular and rewarding is Lagunas Altas Trail in Valle Chacabuco area, but you can also find some rewarding trails at Lago Cochrane.
If you have at least five days, you could attempt to cross the entire national park on foot, starting from Jeinemeni to Tamango via Valle Chacabuco or vice versa.
As you would expect, hiking is not the only activity you can enjoy here.
You can do fly fishing, mountain biking, or wildlife watching.
The park is home to condors, guanacos, flamingos, huemuls, and even pumas, so even wildlife enthusiasts will have a blast here.
A scenic drive leads through the park for those looking for a more comfortable way to enjoy the incredible scenery.
Hiking In Patagonia National Park
The most common (and easiest) way to visit Patagonia National Park is from Valle Chacabuco. As we mentioned earlier, it's better to have a car.
Since we didn't rent a car in order to keep our Patagonia budget low, we knew that the only way to get there was either by public transport or hitchhiking.
The only problem was that we were not sure whether the park was heavily visited or not.
For example, it was easy to get to Queulat National Park because it is one of the best-known places along Carretera Austral.
And because we had only one day before catching an infrequent bus to Villa O'Higgins, we wanted to make sure we would get to the park and that we won't get stuck there.
By looking at the map in the evening before the trip, we found out that there might be another way to reach the park.
We checked the weather forecast during dinner, and it promised no heavy rain, so we decided to try it.
Our plan was to walk about 4 kilometers from Cochrane to the Tamango National Reserve (which is now part of Patagonia National Park).
Then walk 14 kilometers through the park to get to the most popular viewpoint over the lakes.
And then either return the same way we came or continue around the lakes and complete the trail at the parking lot on the other side of the mountains.
And from there, hitchhike back to Cochrane.
Trailhead
We got up early in the morning, and after a quick breakfast, we left our warm and cozy homestay and started walking toward Cochrane Lake at the former Tamango National Reserve.
It was a quiet morning (more than usual as it was Sunday), and the town was completely empty.
We started early as we had a 4-kilometer walk ahead of us in order to get to the starting point of the hike.
After about 15 minutes, a van passed by, but we did not make any effort to hitch it up.
But suddenly, the car pulled over and waited for us. A young local who spoke English told us to get in the car, and he took us to the entry point because he lived nearby.
It was just another proof that things work differently in Patagonia.
He asked us about our plan and even gave us some advice regarding the hike. He dropped us off at the entrance, said goodbye, and soon disappeared in the distance.
Las Aguilas Trail
As it was still a fairly cold morning, we started walking up as quickly as possible.
The first part zigzags steeply up, so we found ourselves soon enough removing the upper clothing layers.
The advantage is that this section offers beautiful views from the very beginning.
About an hour later, we emerged in a flat area with a wooden Refugio where hikers could stay overnight or only take a rest before resuming their journey.
We continued right away, and there was another steep climb waiting for us.
Luckily the sun popped out and warmed up the air, though dark clouds were rolling from the other side of the valley.
After another sweaty ascent, which was harder than the first one, we once again reached a flat area with a magical forest with beech trees covered in moss.
Later we entered a plateau with freezing cold wetlands and a jet-black lake.
This section was very cold, and it was not a good idea to have lunch here as we were freezing (also when we took into consideration that it started to snow lightly).
Laguna El Cangrejo
At the Laguna El Cangrejo, we turned left, walked around it, and headed into the last forested area that hid another steep section of the trail.
We emerged from the forest into an open area where a very strong wind was blowing, so we had to put our windproof jackets on.
The scenery changed once again; the barren plateau with brown undergrowth and no trees was spectacular but walking in the wind was not easy.
From this point, we continued for about an hour until we reached the viewpoint overlooking several lakes.
Lagunas Altas Trail
Here we finally joined the Sendero Lagunas Altas, one of the most popular and best trails in Patagonia National Park.
We descended to the lagoon and took a short break there to regain some energy.
The trail offers beautiful views and connects a series of stunning lakes. Make no mistake here, though.
Even if you start in Valle Chacabuco, this is still a fairly challenging hike.
In a nutshell, Lagunas Altas is a 23-kilometer trail with an elevation gain of 950 meters. It's totally worth it, though.
Because in more than four hours of hiking, we did not meet a single person and only saw a small group of hikers in the distance on Lagunas Altas trail, it made us rethink our original plan to hitchhike back to Cochrane.
While the trail is definitely less popular than the Lagunas Altas, not meeting a soul on a trail left us a bit worried.
As we really enjoyed the journey here and still had plenty of time left, we decided that walking back might not be a bad idea.
Not very surprisingly, we had the trail for another four hours for ourselves as well.
If you want to do this beautiful hike from Cochrane, prepare to walk at least 28 kilometers (plus an additional eight kilometers in case you won't hitch a ride from Cochrane to the start of this trail and back).
We walked 34 kilometers that day, and it overall took us nine hours to get to the Valle Chacabuco via Tamango Reserve and back.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Where to Stay in Patagonia National Park
In case you want to stay in the heart of Patagonia National Park overnight, there are several campgrounds with excellent locations.
Some areas require to use of designated campgrounds, while in some parts, wild camping might be possible. It's always better to ask at the local visitor center before you go.
For example, you can stay at campsites such as West Winds Campground, Stone House Campground, and Alto Valle Campground on X-83 road.
All camps work on a first come, first served basis and cost CLP 8000.
The most comfortable accommodation you can find in the national park is Lodge at Valle Chacabuco. It is pricey, but nothing can beat the location and the views.
Both campgrounds and lodges are closed from late autumn throughout winter, so always check whether the accommodation within the national park is open when traveling out of the main season.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Patagonia National Park is 8.400 CLP for international travelers per adult per day.
It was not common to find parks along Carretera Austral or overall in Chile that were free.
Still, the day pass is cheaper than in, for example, Cerro Castillo National Park.
Cochrane
Cochrane is a small town with a village atmosphere in the southern part of Carretera Austral.
The truth is that even fewer travelers make it that far south when road-tripping Carretera Austral, as it is more convenient to cross borders to Argentina via Chile Chico.
When planning on visiting Chile's most famous road, make a stop here to explore the nearby national park and have a rest, and stock up on food before reaching Villa O'Higgins.
From the very beginning, we were surprised at how Cochrane looked.
Clean, stylish, with newly renovated buildings and neat and welcoming streets. There is not much to do in Cochrane, but it has everything you need.
You will find several hotels and restaurants here, together with a few grocery stores, a gas station, a drugstore, a visitor center, a few tour operators' offices, and even a bank with an ATM.
When to Go
The best time to visit Patagonia National Park is during the summer season, which lasts from December to March.
The weather is milder, and there are more daylight hours. During this period, you are sure to see the best Patagonia has to offer.
Spring and autumn are often regarded as good times to visit for budget travelers who want to escape the crowds.
However, Patagonia National Park is so vast that this shouldn't be an issue.
While you can travel Carretera Austral even during the winter, it's not usually the most popular choice among first-time travelers due to harsh weather conditions.
Most importantly, Patagonia National Park is closed in winter, from mid-April to the beginning of October.
One thing is certain, though. Chilean Patagonia is known for cold and unpredictable weather.
No matter when you go, make sure to bring warm and waterproof clothes.
Here, you'll find more information on when to visit Patagonia.
What to Pack
Patagonia National Park is located in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, and you should come here prepared, regardless of your plans.
Whether you go for a day hike or multi-day trek, make sure to have good equipment and adequate clothing.
The weather in this part of the world is unpredictable, and you should always stay safe.
Sturdy hiking boots, together with a rain jacket and rain pants, are a must whether you go for a day hike or multi-day trek.
A comfortable daypack can make or break your trip, so make sure to choose the correct one.
As in other parts of Patagonia, we refilled our trusty water bottles from the streams along the way whenever possible.
While the trails are surprisingly well-marked, it's better to have GPS Watch with offline maps in case you lose the trail.
Also, don't forget to read our guide on what to pack for Patagonia to find more information on this topic.
Where to Stay in Cochrane
Cochrane is a fairly small town but has some basic hotels and rustic lodges. On top of that, Cochrane has several good campgrounds and cozy homestays.
The homestays are known as hospedajes and offer an affordable yet basic place to stay overnight.
They are not bookable online and work on a first come, first served basis.
It's easy to find accommodation directly near the main square, but some nice options are outside the town. Don't forget that these cabins and hotels usually require a car to get there.
Here are the best hotels in Cochrane.
Mid-range | Cabanas Rincon del Sur - Located in a peaceful setting outside the village, these cozy and spacious cabins are a great way to disconnect and get closer to nature (free wifi is still available).
Mid-range | Kalfu Patagonia - Beautiful modern aparthotel set in a quiet location, Kalfu Patagonia is among the top picks in Cochrane. The rooms are clean, the beds are comfortable, free parking is available, and the owners are friendly. Great value for your money.
Mid-range | Hotel Ultimo Paraiso - One of the best accommodations in Cochrane, Ultimo Paraiso has an excellent location near the main plaza, rustic decor, spacious rooms with a fireplace, and a lovely garden. Free parking is available on-site.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
