Lago Verde - Lago Palena (english)

Contenido original de Rutas Patrimoniales del Ministerio de Bienes Nacionales

Trekking Chile

General Description

The trail is mostly linear with a length of 55 kilometers.It starts at the town of Lago Verde, agricultural village located close to the Argentinean limit, heads north, and finishes at Palena Lake. The trail crosses numerous cattle fields, fords large rivers,like Pico River,crosses Quinto River many times and penetrates into mountain ranges covered with dense forests.Finally it enters almost untouched Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) forests at Lago Palena National Reserve.

The trail is divided into four sections based on the daily hours a horse can be ridden (approximately, five and half hours on a medium difficulty surface). The first section corresponds to a quite easy but extended (around 20 km) route, which ends at a private shelter to sleep and to feed animals. Permission for using the shelter must be requested before.

The second section is only 13 km, starting at the private shelter and ending by Quinto Lake. The route becomes more difficult due to altitude,mud,vegetation,slopes and rocky rivers. Pace is slow and intermittent. However, camping by Quinto Lake, with all its natural beauty and peaceful environment, will be a deserved reward.

The third section is longer, 15 kilometers,but of easy pace.It enters Lago Palena National Reserve. The route is very clear, with minor obstacles, and surrounded by an outstanding forest. This section ends at guide post 31, where camping conditions are optimal.

The last section is very short, only 5 km., but of greater difficulty. It is suggested to leave extra load and backpacks at the camp at guide post 31 for a safer and easier horse ride. The trail finishes at guide post 35 on Palena Lake’s northern shore and returns to the camp.

Location

Sendero de Chile’s Heritage Trail Lago Verde - Lago Palena is on the XIth RegiÛn de Aysén. Its start is located at 225 km south from the town of Chaitén, capital of Palena Province, and at 74 km from the town of La Junta on the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway).

The trail starts at the town of Lago Verde, in the northern part of Coyhaique Province,Aysen’s Region, and ends at Lago Palena National Reserve,located in the southern part of Palena Province, Aysen’s Region. The latest is a state wilderness protected area (SNASPE), administrated by CONAF (National Forestry Organization).

This trail corresponds to the southern portion of another complementary trail which is part of Sendero de Chile’s Heritage trail and goes from the town of Alto Palena to the town of Lago Verde.

Season

The right season to do this trek is from october to april. Heavy snowfall can cover the path during the winter.

Access

There are two ways to access the trail:

• 1 Carretera Austral: You must board a ferry at the continental city of Puerto Montt or at QuellÛn,which is the most southern city on Chiloe island.The ferry will take you to the town of Chaitén. Follow Carretera Austral (Highway number 7) to the south for 151 km to reach the town of La Junta.Take road X-10 east and after 74 km you will find the town of Lago Verde,close to lake Lago Verde.
• 2 Trough Argentinean Territory. Accessing Argentinean territory can be done though Puyehue border crossing, east of Osorno city. It is located 400 km north from Futaleufu border crossing, where reentrance to Chile is possible.Alternatively you can reenter Chile at Lago Verde border crossing, very close to the town of Lago Verde. However the first option is recommended due to better road conditions and regular traffic. Border crossings are closed during winter and it is advisable to check its conditions at Futaleufu council or police station before traveling.

Trail markings

The trail includes 35 guide posts sequentially marked with Arabic numbers,placed on geographically referenced sites of interest. These posts are 1.5 mt tall and were made out of dead wood from Coigues and Lengas found on the spot.Numbers were placed on top of the posts and reference to each one of them may be found on this guide.

Red stakes were placed on the trail to indicate those areas where it is easier to loose track of the route due to natural accidents, fallen trees or difficult surfaces.

Additionally there is a large sign post located at Laguna Verde’s Northern entrance, with general information about the trail. There is two more sign post located on the trail with complementary information.

Permisos / Tarifas

• Esta ruta no requiere permisos ni se cobra entrada

Recomendaciones y consideraciones

• Las descripciones se basaron en una excursión a caballo, sin embargo los tiempos son similares a los de trekking.
• Este trekking está descrito con lujo de detalles en la siguiente topoguía de las Rutas Patrimoniales del Ministerio de Bienes Nacionales Versión digital, versión PDF. Se puede pedir una versión impresa en el Ministerio: 3512100, anexo 2325. Es muy recomendable llevarla al trekking, pues enriquece la experiencia con descripciones de flora, fauna, geografía y geología.
• Evite realizar el recorrido en jornadas con precipitaciones abundantes o en periodo de deshielos importantes.El caudal de los ríos Píco y Quinto, aumentan considerablemente imposibilitando su cruce en varios tramos.
• Considere que esta ruta no es apta para ser recorrida hasta el Lago Palena desde mediados de otoño hasta finales de primavera.
• Para pernoctar en albergues o terrenos particulares,debe considerar solicitar previamente a autorización respectiva.
• Para ubicar algún guía que posea caballos y conozca la huella, se recomienda consultar en la web de la Municipalidad de Lago Verde o por teléfono.

Waypoints en Google Earth

• Waypoints de los hitos de la ruta.

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