Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the national park's car park at Bahía Brava, a few kilometres from the centre of Villa La Angostura, the trail climbs steeply at first over the neck of the Quetrihué peninsula. It then runs south for 12 km through forest of coihue and cypress, with glimpses of Lago Nahuel Huapi on both sides, rising and falling over the ridges. At the tip it reaches the Bosque de Arrayanes, where a boardwalk winds among the smooth, cinnamon-coloured trunks, and ends at the boat pier at Puerto Quetrihué.
It is 10.9 km one way with 323 m of ascent; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate: a long forest track shared with cyclists, with some steep sections.
The park charges for entry, and sets latest start times: from 16 March to 31 October you must set off by 12:00 to walk out and take the boat back, and show your boat ticket at the start. Walking both ways means starting by 11:00 and makes a 22 km day.
Boats run from Puerto Quetrihué to Bahía Brava and Bahía Mansa; check the last sailing when you buy your ticket.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Los Arrayanes National Park, created in 1971, protects a grove of arrayán trees at the tip of the Quetrihué peninsula
- The arrayán, Luma apiculata, has smooth cinnamon-coloured bark that feels cool to the touch
- Quetrihué means place of the arrayanes in Mapudungun
- The 12 km trail is shared by walkers and cyclists
Getting there
Start: Entrada Bosque de Arrayanes car park. -40.78290, -71.65972
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Northern Patagonia: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.