Cerro Castillo National Park
The gateway to wild Patagonia .
History of the Park
The Cerro Castillo National Reserve was created on June 19, 1970, and covers an area of 138,164 hectares. It comprises three separate sectors: Lago Elizalde, Lago Paloma, and Cerro Castillo. In 2018, it was designated as one of Chile's new National Parks and a key stop on the new "Route of the Parks."
Location
The park is located in the Aysén Region, in the municipalities of Coyhaique and Río Ibáñez, approximately 64 km south of the city of Coyhaique, the region's capital. It has good connections to a wide range of tourist and transportation services.
The park boasts a privileged location, close to the Balmaceda airport, Coyhaique, and Puerto Chacabuco, points of entry for almost all tourists visiting the region. It is distinguished by its mountain range and peaks, framed by the Castillo (2,318 meters above sea level), Palo, Vieja, and Chocolate hills. It is also notable for its significant protection of wildlife, such as the huemul deer.
First ascent
In 1966, a group of Chilean mountaineers made history by reaching the summit of Cerro Castillo for the first time. This feat paved the way for future expeditions and established the park as a leading mountaineering destination in Patagonia.
An Andean icon
During the 1970s, international climbers came here to challenge its rock faces. Cerro Castillo established itself as one of the most impressive landscapes in the Andes Mountains, admired for its medieval castle-like shape.
Concessions and access
Today, the park has official concessioned trails, such as the "Las Horquetas" circuit, which is over 50 km long. This route connects forests, glaciers and viewpoints, offering visitors a unique experience right on the Carretera Austral.
Flora and Fauna
Cerro Castillo National Park boasts a diverse ecosystem with a wealth of Andean flora and fauna. A visit to the park will leave you amazed by the variety of landscapes and the wildlife you might spot along the hiking trails and the Carretera Austral. It is one of the few places where a population of huemul, an endangered deer species, is maintained, and it is also home to the famous Andean condor, puma, and guanaco.
HUEMUL (HIPPOCAMELUS BISULCUS)
The Andean deer is an endangered species and a national symbol. It lives in the mountain forests of the park.
PUMA (FELIS CONCOLOR)
The largest feline in Patagonia. Agile, silent, and vital to the balance of the ecosystem.
CALAFATE (BERBERIS BUXOFOLIA)
Typical shrub of Patagonia, famous for its blue fruit and its legend: whoever tastes it, always returns to Patagonia.
Ecosystems of Cerro Castillo National Park
The park protects a great diversity of landscapes, where five main ecosystems coexist: from the antiboreal deserts and Mediterranean steppes to the deciduous forests of lenga and coigüe, the evergreens and the meadows and wetlands that sustain life in the mountain range.
These environments create a unique mosaic in Patagonia, offering refuge to numerous species of flora and fauna. Walking along its trails means crossing open grasslands, venturing into ancient forests, and discovering wetlands that nourish biodiversity, reminding us of the importance of conserving this natural heritage.