Cerro Castillo National Park

Cerro Castillo has around over 34 miles (55 km) of accessible hiking trails, many of which can be enjoyed as day hikes.

Two day hikes in particular are excellent. The first is the Neozelandes Trail (10 miles/16 km), which takes you on a relatively easy hike up the valley to Camp Porteadores and on to Lake Duff and quite astonishing views of the Cerro Castillo Massif. 

The second (and more strenuous) is the Lake Cerro Castillo Trail, which is only half the distance (5 miles/8 km) but is a very steep climb, that rewards you by taking you to the fabulous glacial Lake Cerro Castillo, ringed by mountains and hanging glaciers.

Cerro Castillo has a real frontier feel, and one way to get close to the region’s traditional gaucho culture is to take a horse riding trip there. There are plenty of trails to explore on horseback, with day rides including a ‘half-and-half’ trek, riding partway up the ascent towards the Cerro Castillo Lagoon before completing the last part on foot.

For those wanting longer in the saddle, there are fully supported multi-day equestrian expeditions, sleeping in rustic gaucho huts through the Avellano Valley, exploring the huge granite wall of the Avellano Towers, hanging glaciers and other remote landscapes that very few other travellers ever get to experience.

There is a small selection of accommodation in the town of Villa Cerro Castillo, near the entrance to the national park. Our favourite by far is the B&B Cerro Castillo, which has wonderful views of Cerro Castillo valley and the Río Ibáñez. A short drive from town there is also La Casona, which offers a classic Chilean homestay experience.

There is no accommodation inside Cerro Castillo National Park itself. For hikers, there are a number of rustic campsites, with simple bathrooms and no electricity.

The town of Villa Cerro Castillo, close to the entrance to the national park, is about 90 minutes by road from Balmaceda airport, the main entry point to Aysen (44 miles/72 km). Coyhaique is also a 90 minute drive (59 miles/95 km) from the park entrance.

Cerro Castillo also offers easy access to the Marble Caves, which are 75 miles (120 km) away to the southeast, about two hours by road. The road continues on from here to Patagonia National Park, 137 miles (220 km) from Cerro Castillo, which roughly a 5½ hour drive. This whole stretch of the Carretera Austral is incredibly scenic.