Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
This park to the far north of Chilean Patagonia was named in honour of Douglas Tompkins, the visionary entrepreneur who was a driving force for conservation across Patagonia. Ragged mountains give way through forests of Alerce trees towards what must be one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines.
Hidden gems in Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
Volcán Chaitén day hike
ExperienceThis park to the far north of Chilean Patagonia was named in honour of Douglas Tompkins, the visionary entrepreneur who was a driving force for conservation across Patagonia. Ragged mountains give way through forests of Alerce trees towards what must be one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines. The Volcán Chaitén trail here is an absolutely stunning day hike. The Volcán Chaitén is a volcano situated within the boundaries of the park, and it famously erupted in 2008 after being dormant for over 9,000 years. The eruption dramatically reshaped the surrounding landscape and the hike gives you a firsthand look at nature's powerful processes. The trail to the volcano's rim generally takes about two to three hours to complete depending on your pace. It's a steep ascent, often over rough volcanic terrain, so it can be challenging, but the view from the top is worth every bit of effort. From the top, you can see the resurgent lava dome in the centre of the crater, an impressive testament to the volcano's most recent eruption. There are also panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and forests, some still showing the effects of the 2008 eruption.
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