Chiloé Island

Chiloé is a brilliant hiking destination. One of the best places to get away from it all is by hiking along its rugged Pacific coastline, where the rich mossy greens of the forests provide the perfect contrast to its surf-pounded beaches.

A perfect place for hikes is at Tepuhueico Park, which consists of pristine temperate rainforest dripping with ferns, mosses and evergreens and full of birdsong, as well as a dramatic coast lined with jagged cliffs. Part of the park is a private reserve (where it’s possible to stay), which contains a network of hiking trails. There is a good chance of seeing Darwin’s fox and pudu here.

Near the north of the island, there is excellent hiking to be had at Chepu River. One recommended hike takes you through forest to the beach, where you’re picked up by a small boat; a second one leads from Chepu to a Magellanic penguin colony. Alternatively, head for Chiloé National Park, with its wild dunes and winding trails.

The eastern side of the island has a softer and more open landscape, crinkled with fjords. Hiking on the coast here offers the chance to spot dolphins from the shore.

Chiloé's coastline, wetlands and forests offer some of the richest wildlife watching in Southern Chile.

One big wildlife highlight for Chiloé is the number of mammal species it’s possible to see. Darwin’s fox was first described by the great naturalist here in 1834. Although rare, sightings are not uncommon in Tepuhueico Reserve, along with the the pudu, the world’s smallest deer. Visitors to Chiloé may also see the endemic Patagonian river otter and if lucky the kodkod – South America’s smallest cat (also known as the guiña).

Marine species shouldn't be forgotten: South American sea lions are common along stretches of the coast, along with the Chilean dolphin. The wide channel facing the fjords of the mainland is also known for blue whales, who pass through in the Patagonian summer to their nursery grounds in the Corcovado Gulf.

One of Chiloés main birding attractions is at Puñihuil, three islands off the northwest coast that are the only place in the word where both Magellanic and Humboldt penguins gather together to breed. The wetlands of the Caulín Bird Sanctuary also offer particularly good birdwatching, along with the many forests where you can hike with guides while spotting birds and learning about the native flora.