Los Alerces: A Short Forest Walk on the Carretera Austral

Los Alerces is a short forest walk for travelers already on the Carretera Austral near Caleta Gonzalo. Its purpose is to spend time beneath old alerce trees, rather than climb toward a distant viewpoint. Keep it as a stop within that road journey; the short walking time does not make Pumalín a quick excursion from Puerto Montt.

Start with the correct road section

The Ruta de los Parques trail entry places Los Alerces 12.5 km south of Caleta Gonzalo on the Carretera Austral. Use the signed trail entrance, leave your vehicle in the designated stopping area and follow the authorized route into the forest. Return to that same trailhead before continuing your drive.

The published figure is 1.4 km (0.9 mi) total, with an estimated 40 minutes there and back. It is already a return figure. Leave additional time to pause among the trees, get ready and rejoin the road. A road-trip walking plan should include those transitions.

A forest stop needs a weather margin

The trail guide lists low difficulty and year-round access in general terms. It describes alerce approaching 3,000 years old. Take time to look up at the trunks and canopy while staying on the designated path; the age of the forest is the attraction.

CONAF asks visitors to register with rangers and carry rain clothing even in summer. It warns of no mobile signal or electricity within the park and camping areas. Keep route and onward travel details offline. Pets and sources of heat are prohibited.

Check the current trail condition and local entry cutoff with staff before setting out. CONAF’s opening information is headed for the administration office in El Amarillo, in southern Pumalín; do not assume its office hours automatically describe this northern trailhead. If your day also includes the Hornopirén–Caleta Gonzalo ferry connection, verify its current booking and return separately. This walk’s 40-minute estimate cannot settle the ferry schedule.