Chile's Oldest National Park: Vicente Pérez Rosales

Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park was created on 17 August 1926, making it Chile's first national park and, a century later, its second most visited after Torres del Paine. The park covers roughly 253,780 hectares of the Andes in the Los Lagos Region, and its signature trio — the Petrohué Falls, Todos los Santos Lake and the Osorno volcano — sits within a 40 to 65 km drive of Puerto Varas. Entry to the falls sector costs from about CLP 3,500 for foreign adults and must be bought online in advance through pasesparques.cl.

What Makes This Park Different

A century of conservation on the Andean flank

The park's boundaries run east of Puerto Varas and Puerto Octay, ending at the Argentine border, and the whole unit forms part of the Andean Biosphere Reserve. Its terrain was carved by three forces — volcanism, tectonic uplift and glacial retreat — which explains the vertical rock walls, the U-shaped valleys and the deep, cold lakes scattered through the forest. Todas los Santos is the largest of them, and its depth is measured in the hundreds of metres.

The Valdivian temperate rainforest inside the park is what protects species you will not see elsewhere in Chile at this latitude: ancient coigüe trees, the tiny pudú deer, and a fungal community that thrives on the constant humidity. Rainfall on the western slopes reaches 3,000 to 4,000 mm a year, while the eastern side is noticeably drier — a difference you can feel in the vegetation within a single day of hiking.

The three icons: falls, lake, volcano

Saltos del Petrohué is the most photographed spot, where turquoise water forces its way through basalt channels left by old lava flows. The walkways are short and paved, suitable for anyone, which is also why tour groups cluster here between 10am and 1pm. Arriving before 9:30 or after 4pm changes the experience entirely — I would not bother with the middle of the day if you have flexibility.

From Petrohué, catamarans cross Todos los Santos toward Peulla, a two-hour crossing with the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador cones lined up along the water. The Osorno volcano itself has a vehicle access road up to the ski centre at 1,240 m, and in clear weather you can continue by chairlift to the Primavera station at 1,450 m or the glacier station at 1,750 m.

Trails that reward more than a photo stop

Paso Desolación starts at La Picada, around 700 m, and climbs 400 m in about an hour to a ridge at 1,090 m with full views of the lake and the surrounding peaks. It is a half-day route, roughly 9 hours round trip including transfers from Puerto Varas, and guided versions include snow gear in winter.

El Solitario is a quieter option: 11 km, 260 m of gain, and about four hours on foot through forest that sees far fewer people than the Petrohué boardwalks. This is the trail I would pick for anyone with a spare morning and no interest in crowds.

Planning Your Visit from Puerto Varas

Driving and public transport

Route 225 runs east from Puerto Varas along the Llanquihue lakeshore to Ensenada, about 40 km, then continues toward Petrohué. From Puerto Montt's El Tepual airport, it is roughly 20 km north to Puerto Varas on Route 5. Buses and minivans leave Puerto Varas for the park entrance, and the stop near Saltos del Petrohué is served by the THAEB route toward Lago Todos los Santos. Having your own vehicle is easier, though — parking fills up on summer weekends, and the volcano access road sometimes requires chains outside the warm months.

Hours, tickets and reservations

Summer hours (December to March) run 09:00 to 18:00 with last entry at 17:30; from March to November the park closes at 17:00 with last entry at 17:00. Tickets are sold online only at pasesparques.cl and must be purchased separately for Chilean and foreign visitors even when paying in one transaction. Bring the pass on your phone or printed, plus your ID. Fees are subject to change — check the official site for current rates.

Buy your pass at least a day ahead in January and February. On-the-spot purchases are not guaranteed, and rangers do check.

When to go and what to pack

January through March brings the driest weather, daily maximums near 25°C at lower elevations, and the clearest views of the volcano cone. June, July and August are the wettest months; snow lingers above 1,000 m for much of the year, and the vegetation growing season lasts only about six months. Temperatures at inhabited elevations average 11–12°C annually.

Layer up regardless of season. Rain shells, sturdy shoes and a warm mid-layer are standard here; the weather at Petrohué and at the volcano base can differ sharply on the same afternoon. Cell coverage is patchy past Ensenada, so download maps before you leave Puerto Varas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book tickets in advance for Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park?

Yes. Entry is sold online through pasesparques.cl only, from about CLP 3,500 for foreign adults, and separate purchases are required for national and foreign visitors. Book at least a day ahead in peak summer.

How long does it take to get to the park from Puerto Varas?

The drive along Route 225 to Ensenada is about 40 km, and Petrohué is a further stretch beyond that. Allow 45 to 60 minutes to the falls by car, and plan a full day if you want the falls, the lake crossing and the volcano viewpoint together.

Can I visit the park without a car?

Yes. Buses and minivans run from Puerto Varas toward the park, with a stop near Saltos del Petrohué on the THAEB route. Schedules are limited, so check return times before you set out — missing the last bus means a costly taxi back.

Is the lake crossing to Peulla worth it?

The two-hour catamaran ride gives you the best angle on the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador volcanoes. It is a transport link as well as a sightseeing trip, and it forms part of the Cruce Andino route toward Argentina, so book ahead in high season.

What is the best month to see the volcano clearly?

January, February and March offer the lowest rainfall and the best odds of a clear cone. Outside those months, morning visits give you a better chance than afternoons, when cloud often builds over the summit.