Excursions from Futangue Hotel

This challenging trail will take you through exuberant Valdivian jungle to one of the highest peaks in the Lake Ranco basin, at almost 1300m. From there you’ll have fantastic 360º views of the park and the lake, as well as some of the most iconic volcanoes in northern Patagonia.

You’ll get to the trailhead at 635m in the El Vado area by 4×4 vehicle.

Duration: 4hrs
Distance: 6.2km/3.9 miles
Elevation gain/loss: +779m/-779m
Difficulty: High

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This superb circuit is located in the middle of one of the best areas of the Valdivian forest and is very easily accessible. If you are lucky, you'll hear the song of the chucao, one of the iconic birds of the region.

Walk along trails covered with mosses, vines and ferns, which show how nature reigns over this landscape. Once you've crossed the suspension bridge you'll see the incredible waterfall that flows from Pitreño Lagoon. This is an ideal walk for the family on a rainy day.

Duration: 1½hrs
Distance: 1.6km/1 mile
Elevation gain/loss: +779m/-779m
Difficulty: High

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On this excursion you'll ascend a steep mountain trail to reach the glacial Lake Pitreño which sits at an altitude of more than 1000m. 'Pitreño' means 'eye of water; in the native language of the Huilliche.

This lake marks the starting point of hikes up to the Altas Cumbres and the Sendero del Cielo viewpoints.

It's possible to walk a complete curcuit of the lake and enjoy fantastic views of Lake Ranco and the Cerro Mayo from the lookout points along the way.

Duration: hike 3½hrs/bike 3hrs

Distance: hike 10.4km/6.5 miles; bike 8.7km/5.4 miles

Elevation gain/loss: +646m/-646m

Difficulty: Medium/high

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This excursion takes you on a mountain trail to an altitude of more than 1200m to the Altas Cumbres – the location of the highest viewpoint in the park – and the Pitreño Lagoon. It's a great path which crosses beautiful lenga forests with stunning views of Lake Ranco, Cordón del Caulle and some of the volcanoes in northern Patagonia.

This isolated part of the Park is also a refuge to animals such as the puma, the vizcacha and the condor.

It's an essential trip, but only for the very fittest!

Duration: hike 6-8hrs/bike 6hrs

Distance: hike 14-18km/8.7-11.1 miles; bike 20km/12.4 miles

Elevation gain/loss: +871m/-871m

Difficulty: High

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This excursion takes you to the highest viewpoint in the entire park, at an altitude of 1350m. The trail begins in the El Vado area and ascends to the beautiful Pitreño Lagoon before continuing to the high peaks, through forests of lengas, coigues and mañios.

The final 15mins of the trail is up steps to the summit from where you'll have 360° views of the Futangue Valley and Lake Ranco. This excursion does require some considerable effort, but the reward will make you want to climb up here again and again.

The return journey via the ski trail introduces you to some different scenery.

Duration: 6hrs

Difficulty: High

Distance: 16.3km/10.1 miles

Height gain/loss: +871m/-871m

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You'll start this excursion at the visitor centre meeting point at the Riñinahue entrance to the park.

You will take a short hike and, with the help of an expert guide, hopefully spot the small Darwin frogs which are found in this conservation area for vulnerable species.

A particular trait of these amphibians is that as soon as the female lays her eggs, the male places them in his mouth and stores them inside his cheek. Once the tadpoles have finished growing, the male releases the offspring into the outside world.

Note: Transfer to the park not included

Duration: 2hrs

Difficulty: Easy

Length of hike: 2.5km/1.5 miles

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This trail starts at the Queñe Volcano viewpoint, where you'll have superb views of the entire Riñinahue Valley. You'll head into the native forest and ascend the mountains for some of the most impressive landscapes in southern Chile.

The first milestone of the hike is 'La aleta de Tiburón', a colossal rock rising up from the mountain, with 360° views of Lago Ranco and the Cordón del Caulle. It's possible to continue walking until you see the isolated Polloihue Lagoon, the remains of a glacier nestled dramatically under steep hills, at around 900m.

Duration: 7hrs
Distance: 13km/8 miles
Elevation gain/loss: +450m/-450m
Difficulty: High

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An interesting drive through the native forest bordering the beautiful Riñinahue River will take you to Lake Pichi. This is a trout fishing dream-come-true since rainbow trout were introduced here around 60 years ago.

Fishing is mainly done from a boat, though it's possible to fish from the shore around the lake's main tributary.

Ideally this excursion would last a whole day; however it is possible to return to the hotel for lunch and then continue fishing during the evening.

There are a maximum of two anglers per boat. A boatman will accompany you, but a bi-lingual guide can be arrange too.

Note: Anglers should bring complete equipment with them and drive their own vehicle to the start point.

Duration: Full- or half-day

Difficulty: Easy

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On this hike you'll discover awesome landscapes at the Piedras Quemadas - a remote and largely unexplored river of volcanic lava, which devastated everything in its path in 1922.
This excursion begins at Lake Pichi and follows an 8-km path uphill to the first area of this enormous eruption. The route also passes through an ancient Valdivian forest.

Duration: 3½hrs
Distance: 16km/10 miles
Elevation gain/loss: +537m/-537m
Difficulty: Medium

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