The Alerce Andino National Park, Chile has a park surface area of about 86361 acres of which 20.000 corresponds to the Alerce forest. Situated on the south of the Tapo Lake in a mountainous zone, the Park is one of the most important refuges of the Alerce, a species which is in the throes of danger of extinction. With an irregular geography and numerous lagoons, the most typical species of trees and mammals,birds and fish of Southern Chile reside in the park. With quick access it is equipped with various trails which allow you to visit the most beautiful and characteristic places in this zone.
The best time to visit is between months of November and March when the climatic conditions are very temperate. To make the visit safer and more informative, the park is equipped with four guard posts, each with its respective park rangers, in different sections of the park. There are also three refuges (shelters) for those who want to spend more time exploring all the trails.
The park is located on firm, Andean ground, whose geography has been determined by tectonic and glacial processes. It boasts deep valleys with almost vertical mountain sides and numerous lakes and lagoons which are dispersed throughout a wide range of altitudes.
The dominant feature is Chapo Lake. The Southern river, as well as the Lenca and Chaicas rivers flow into this lake, draining a large area of the park. In the interior, there are more than 50 small and medium-sized lagoons scattered throughout this uneven geography, the main ones being the Sargazo, Chaiquenes, Triángulo, Fría, Montana and Campana.
The altitudes of the park’s hills range from 1,200 to 1,500 m above sea level, but the Calbuco Volcano (2,003 m above sea level) to the north stands out. It is located in neighbouring Llanquihue National Reserve and is a characteristic element of the landscape. To get to the Sargazo and Fria lagoons, you must go through the Correntoso sector; and to access the Chaiquenes and Triángulo lagoons, traverse the Chaicas sector. The dominating form of vegetation in the Alerce Andino National Park, Chile is the forest itself, made up of various types of alerce trees, the Magellan coigue and lenga.
| 
