TREK TO EL BOLSÓN

Here are a few "tracks" for a most memorable trek between Rio Puelo and the Argentine village of El Bolsón. This is an opportunity to cross the Andes through completely secluded places.

Go to Los Canelos, on the shores of Lake Tagua Tagua, where a barcaza (Don Felipe) will take you in 45 minutes to the other side, to the Maldonado. Then, we continue towards Llanada Grande, on less than 40 km. Besides the bus from Puerto Montt, the stop is the most realistic alternative; be prepared to wait anyway. You can stay in hospedajes and camp on the spot.

The second part of the route takes you to Segundo Corral, on the shores of the lago Interior. It won't take a day, since you have to walk from there. First objective: Azul Lake, after 4 hours of walking. The trail is easy to spot, but always ask the people you meet for directions. Try to always go left, never right. If everything went well, you should spend the night at Azul Lake. Beforehand, however, you will have seen a small house about 45 minutes before you arrive at the lake, so ask about the possibilities of crossing the lake by boat. Agree on the price and schedule. It is also possible to walk around the lake; in this case, turn left at the small house.

You should then arrive at Lake Las Rocas which you will either go around to the east if you have taken the boat, or to the west if you have decided to walk all the way; then to Lake Interior. It is possible to camp at the end of Lake Interior, but you can also go to Segundo Corral, about 2 hours away, where there are a few shops for food and rooms to sleep in.

From there, there are two options: take the Pionero boat to Los Hitos, on the Chilean-Argentinean border, before continuing on foot; or leave on foot right away, following an old path that will also take you to Los Hitos. You are then on the lago Puelo. Boats will take you to the locality of Lago Puelo. If you still want to walk, it is possible: a path leaves Los Hitos for the Argentinean National Gendarmerie station (about 2 hours), before continuing to another station, that of the Lago Puelo park administration. El Bolsón is only 15 km away, and public transport is plentiful. This is the end of the adventure: El Bolsón is a great place to recharge your batteries.