6
ediciones
Cambios
→Season 2024/25
Add a new log entry always on top in the appropriate season sub-chapter and use format:
<!-- IF YOU COPY FROM THIS EDITING VIEW, YOU NEED TO USE THIS TEMPLATE (* TRANSFORMS INTO BULLET, ''' MAKE IT BOLD):*''' Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or <span style="background-color:aqua;">Packrafting </span> / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias'''--><nowiki>* '''</nowiki>'''Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or <span style="background-color:aqua;">Packrafting</span> / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias'''<nowiki>'''</nowiki>
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* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''YYYY-MMM-DD / X days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP / Your name'''</span>
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<nowiki>* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''</nowiki><span style="background-color:aqua;">'''YYYY-MMM-DD / X days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP / Your name'''</span><nowiki>'''</span></nowiki>.
=Overview=
=Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions=
==Season 2025/26==
* ''' GPT18 | 2026-02-12 to 2026-02- 15 I 3 days | hiking | SOBO I Route: RR - Variant C | Michaela '''
Day 1
I took the ferry from Puerto Fuy to Puerto Pirihueico (1,5 h, 1,150 CLP) at 11:00 and arrived at 13:30. I had lunch there and then started walking. It was a very short hiking day. It took me about 1,5 hours to reach Camp {18} [22.3/615].
The MR was slightly overgrown in the first part but not difficult.
I camped here: -40.008089, -71.748051 - very nice spot. I enjoyed a swim and a relaxed afternoon.
Day 2
Beautiful sunrise at the lake. Most of the trail was easy to walk. From km 50,5 the trail became a bit more overgrown, but nothing serious, mostly high grass and some fallen trees that were easy to bypass.
The forecast said there was a small chance of rain (and recently the real weather was always worse than predicted), so I decided to sleep in the abandoned hut: -40.005992, -71.867541
The hut is clean. There are several more or less broken bunk beds, one bed is intact. The roof is good. There are no windows and two sides of the wall are open. I fixed the metal roof a bit because it was very loud in the wind.
Day 3
Sleeping in the hut was a good decision because early in the morning it started raining. Late in the morning the rain stopped and I started hiking. The Garmin forecast said there would be no more rain, but again it was wrong. It started pouring heavily and continued until the afternoon.
Despite rain jacket and rain pants I was soon soaked to my underwear. The trail itself was only strongly overgrown in a few sections, but most of the time the grass was knee- to hip-high, which is very uncomfortable when wet.
I decided to sleep at Camp {18} [73.9/468]. When I arrived the rain stopped and the sun came out, so I hung my clothes on the fence around the beehives, which was not a good idea. A bee stung me directly under the eye and my face swelled massively. Not my most enjoyable day (Happy Valentine’s Day).
Day 4
I took Variante C. Easy MR. I arrived at the main road around noon and could hitchhike without problems to Futrono.
Here I stayed at "Hospedaje Futrono" – very nice place with a small shared kitchen and friendly owners.
Single room with private bathroom: 25.000
Shared bathroom: 20.000
Attractiveness: 1.5/5
Difficulty: 2.5/5
''' GPT18/2026-1-2 to 2026-1-4/ 3 days/SOBO/RR/Denis,Robert'''
Solid resupply option in Puerto Fuy.
We took ferry Puerto Pirehueico. First they told us that there is no space for two of us, but I came again and begged lady behind the desk that we need to go tonight, and she gave us tickets. The schedule is on website. We camped in camp of the other side of lake 7000 pesos per person no warm water no electricity but they were willing to charge our staff in the house. The minimarket is not the best, few things and pretty expensive, I would resupply in Puerto Fuy. Until 64,2 km the trail is in solid shape, not that much overgrown. There is no water only around the highest point of trail 5 km before and after otherwise it is everywhere. Then next 8 km it is still fine some fallen trees but the grass is a bit of issue. It is pretty painful some kind of grass and it catches everywhere. But we had shorts not really appropriate clothing. Then the zig zag close to variant C we didn’t find and there is very steep cliff no possible to cross maybe we missed it somewhere higher. We followed the variant C and jointed the RR by small river maybe 300 meters in river will lead you to the big one.
There is nice supermarket 2 km below Chabronco, we asked if they do have any spot for tent and they let us sleep in their garden.
Attractiveness 2/5
Difficulty 3/5
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2025-12-11 to 2025-12-12 / 2 Days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP + RH / Michel & Lisa'''</span>
Day 1
We hitchhiked from the end of GPT17P to Puerto Fuy and got dropped off right at the ferry terminal. We had been unsure if we should do just the packrafting part of 18 or skip the section all together since there was a window of really bad rain forecast for the next 4-5 days after today. There was also considerable wind and gusts of up to 55 km/h forecast for the afternoon on the lake (northwesterly, so in the right direction). But when we saw the calm water and blue skies, we couldn't help it and really wanted to go. We decided to go as far as we could in one day and accept that we'd get wet the next day and simply take the ferry back to Puerto Fuy.
The resupply marked in Puerto Fuy didn't have a great selection but there are more, better shops on the road Río Pilmaiquén (about here [-39.87319, -71.89129] and close by). We put in where the track files suggested and it was fine, we were in the lake at 11:30 and it was still pretty calm. Nice paddling for a few hours, the wind gradually picked up as forecast and we tried our Tyvek groundsheet as a sail which worked nicely and made us sail at up to 6.5 km/h. We had lunch break at 14:00 at camp [11.4/622] which was super beautiful and sheltered from the wind which made us want to stay there over night, but the forecast made us continue. Around 15:30 we had reached the long N-S arm of the lake (starting right where the private hot springs (13.9+0.5/607] (Not permanently staffed)) are. There the wind and especially the gusts (the forecast 50 - 55 km/h seemed about right) intensified to a level that felt a bit unsafe to us, so we stopped here: [-39.945079, -71.758877] at around 15:30. We waited for the wind to decrease, which was the case at around 16:15 so we continued sailing. The west coast of the lake is really pretty on this arm of the lake and we enjoyed watching our surroundings here a lot. The wind kept blowing until it shut down at about 18:00, which was the same on Lago Neltume the day before.
We arrived at the end of RP at around 19:00 and set up camp, went for a swim and packed the packraft, planning to hike back to Puerto Pirehueico the next day. You could easily camp close by at the marked camp and walk along the coast to the end of RP as well. Here there is a makeshift table and a bit of trash lying around, but not much. Found a fishing hook on the table, so be careful with your things here.
Day 2
Woke up to rain, but not quite as terrible as expected. Packed up and continued on RH-MR towards Pirehueico. Easy walking on the MR which we lost once and had to climb a fence and find back to it, not sure we made a mistake there or if it's the actually intended route as we also somehow lost GPS signal. But we made it to the PR and walked the last km to the ferry. Got our tickets and went back over the lake that we had paddled down the other day in such different weather. We were glad we didn't do it in this weather, although it would probably still have been possible without issues, just colder and more miserable.
*'''2025-08-21: Track file update 2025 and investigation suggestions of Jan Dudeck'''
- I rerouted the Regular Route for GPT18 Variant E, that was described in season 2024/25 as less overgrown then the Regular Route at this time. I "downgraded" the changed section of the Regular Route to Option H.
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2025-11-23 to 2025-11-26 / 4 days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP (partial) / Dave & Siyuan, Jan & Meylin'''</span>
Day 01: Lovely paddle on the lake. Weather was calm in the morning, and picked up in the afternoon before dying down in the evening. We camped at “Camp {18} [11.4/622]”. Very nice flat camp site.
Day 02: As yesterday, calm weather in the morning and evening, with a windy spell in the early afternoon. We camped at “Camp {18} [22.3/615]”.
Day 03: We had a rest day. The police visited in the afternoon and informed us that there was a no camping rule anywhere around the lake. After some negotiation, they allowed us to stay overnight.
Day 04: Early in the morning we paddled to the ferry terminal at Pirehueico and took the 12:00 ferry back to Puerto Fuy (1200 CLP).
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2025-11-15 to 2025-11-19 / 4 days / Packrafting/ SOBO/ RP, RR, (former variants D, E) / Daniel.s'''</span>
Started right after finishing GPT 17 early afternoon. With a weather front moving in and very strong tailwind I didn't dare going further than Camp {18} [8.0+0.5/632], which is sheltered from the wind.
Day 2 I paddled/ sailed the rest of the lake and took the afternoon off.
I got a visit from Carabineros, asking questions but very friendly and helpful with Intel. They told me that ONE SHOULD REGISTER WITH ARMADA IN PUERTO FUY BEFORE CROSSING THE LAKE.
Day 3 I hiked in a drizzle in my drysuit all day. NO MORE SNOW over the mountain.
Camped at S 40° 00.872', W 071° 52.003'. Trail is as described before, many small obstacles, nothing major.
Day 4 I hiked the new regular route. No problem finding the way. There was one horse trail from a few days earlier visible in the mud and tall grass. Vegetation is only starting to grow, so maybe bring a machete later in the season, as there are a handful of places where bamboo and boysenberry might take over soon. Ended up hiking all the way to Chihuio and camped at the river thermal pools (mice ate my trail mix in the night, beware!)
In the morning I started hiking towards Curriñe but got a lift quite soon. Several shops available for all your needs.
On to GPT 19 in the afternoon.
==Season 2024/25==
08-APR-2025 to 12-APR-2025 / 5 days / hiking / NOBO / RR, Variants E, D and new connector between 2 / Ben, Stephanie
Route from Curriñe to Puerto Pirehueico through Huilo Huilo Biological Preserve, a re-wilding forest.
About the connector:
if going northbound, follow Var. E when it drops down through the brush but only until you cross an abandoned road. Follow this road down, cross creek, and follow it up across the landslide referenced by Natalie. Stay on this until you connect with a new road that will also cross the landslide, which is now behind you. Welcome to Variant D!
If going SOBO, you will miss the connector, so continue on Var. D until you reach the landslide, then backtrack a few hundred meters to a fainter road angling down towards the eventual bottom of the landslide. Welcome to the Connector. Now follow this connector down, across the landslide and creek and continue a short bit until you intersect Var. E. Follow Var. E up into the forest.
*''' 2025-03-18 to 2025-03-20 / 3 days / Hiking/ NOBO / RR, 18A, 18E, 18D / Peggy
Without the difficult part of the RR, this section becomes a 3-day hike (or less) without any particular problem, in a lush native forest.
That means in NOBO: RR, 18E, 18D and RR again. 18C at the beginning possible?
I didn’t meet any humans during the week in March.
I first camped at the free hot springs on the RR (km82.3). There were people in the late afternoon when I arrived and in the evening. Only one other tent afterward. Not very warm but warm enough depending on the pools.
The next day, I started with 18A. The gate at km78.5 is locked and quite high. I first thought I could pass with my backpack but, fearing I’d lose balance, I passed it over first. I think I broke one of its frame stays at that moment... Probably already weakened.
A dog followed me on 18A. I made the mistake (or not?) of not chasing it away from the start. I admit I enjoyed its company and thought it would go back on its own further along. It didn’t.
At the junction between 18A and the RR, there’s a tricky section. I struggled for quite a while, took a lunch break, struggled again through bamboo before finding the "path." Then the RR was good (but for how long?) but I had in mind to take 18D, yet the entrance was completely blocked by fallen trees. Realizing the dog would keep following me and that I couldn’t reasonably leave it on the other side of the section with the first person I’d meet, I brought it back home… 1h30 walking in the other direction.
Once there, I decided to extend my route and return to Santa Rosa to take the RR.
From there, everything was smooth. First night at the camp km74.7, a bit above to avoid smoking the bees with my fire (presence of hives).
A bit before and after the junction between 18E and 18D, the GPS trace doesn’t match, but no problem, the path is very well marked.
The RR until 18E and 18E itself are forest roads.
On the second day, I planned to stay at the camp km55.4 but didn’t like the spot and it was still early enough to continue. I ended up taking the wrong path and bivouacked here (39.997112S, 071.880970W), there’s a small spring just before. Very nice place.
Then a long descent to Pirihueico the next day.
Tall wet grass (my shoes quickly turned into swimming pools :D and I was glad I had my rain pants) and some fallen trees on the path, but easy to pass — over, under or around.
No issues with the rivers.
At km86.9, I made a mistake and followed another path until I checked my GPS to see how far I still had to go… Thankfully, I was going in the wrong direction! The RR here is not as clear as that other path and it’s easy to get confused. So be careful! ;)
Then I found myself walking along the airstrip, eager to arrive! I just veered off to the left at the end to avoid having to go through the gate of the small airfield in case it caused trouble, and exited through a side path to reach the beach near two large ruins of an old hotel.
I slept at the mini-camping in Pirihueico and took the ferry at 9am the next morning with a direct connection to Puerto Fuy with the bus going to Panguipulli, since I had already done sections 17 and 16 some time ago.
* ''' 2025-JAN-08 > 10 / 2,5 jours / Randonnée / SOBO / RR > river > 18-A > RR / Pierre-Marie '''
Etape : GPT14+GPT15+GPT16+GPT17+GPT18+GPT19
| Meteo : soleil
| Eau : difficile
| Neige : non
| Intérêt : 0/5
| Difficulté : 5/5
| Danger : gouffres sur le sentier, bush-bashing, plantes urticantes, culs de sacs, prise de risques
Le premier km n'est pas tres bien entretenu, mais le sentier est tres bien jusqu'au km 33,9. Ensuite il y a beaucoup de passages difficile avec des arbres en travers. Il n'y a plus de pont au km 37,1. Bush-bashing dès le km 64,3 mais le sentier est bien visible (2km/h). Vers le km 70 ca devient vraiment difficile (1,5km/h) et parfois le sentier disparait totalement. Beaucoup de bambou et quelques plantes urticantes. Ronces uniquement dans les clairières.
Au km 72,2, le sentier est impratiquable car totalement envahi de bambous. 2 options : faire demi-tour, ou passer par la riviere. Je ne fais jamais demi-tour quand j'ai une autre option. Donc riviere. Je vois sur ma carte que jusqu'au pont km 4,6 de la 18-A, je passe de 460m a 370m de façon reguliere et sans affluent majeur. L'eau n'est pas froide mais les pierres sont glissantes. Je commence la riviere et ça se passe bien (2km/h). Il y a quelques passages exigent mais aucune chute, rapide, trou d'eau. Apres 4km je suis content de trouver de la gravel road car je n'avais aucune certitude sur la faisabilité de mon choix. Ensuite c'est de la gravel road, puis de la route a partir du pont au km 86,9. Je deconseille fortement le GPT18 a ceux qui font du trail longue distance. Il faut un equipement lourd et solide pour affronter la jungle et la riviere. J'ai abimé mon equipement (et ma peau) sur cette section car il est leger et fragile.
*'''2025-JAN-05 to 2025-JAN-07 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR+OH (var. 02, 02B, 02A, D, E, C) / Ivan, Jakub, Daniel'''
Almost the entire stage runs through the Valdivian rainforest, which enchanted us with its wildness and vividly demonstrates the power of nature.
From Puerto Fuy, we chose an unusual combination of the {18-02}, {18-02B}, and {18-02A} variants. Next to the inaccessible private bridge {18-02} [26.4/609], there is a campsite where we met German kayakers who kindly ferried us and our backpacks to the other shore. After a short cross-country section, we joined the {18-02} variant. The variants {18-02B} and {18-02A} were mostly old, unused minor roads, so we often climbed over fallen trees blocking the path, though nothing overly challenging. At the ford located at coordinates (-39.9489679, -71.8823379), we found a long beam, which we used to build a makeshift bridge to cross the stream dry-footed. This stream is also the first water source since Río Fuy. Even after reconnecting with the MR, there were still many fallen trees, but no significant bush-bashing.
On Volker's recommendation, we left the MR near the Camp (64.1/653) and followed the tracks of quad bikes along the well-maintained {18-D} variant. Towards the end of this variant, near Emergency Camp [6.4/562], the actual trail did not perfectly match the track files, but it wasn't big deal, and the path eventually rejoined the main route. After completing the {18-E} variant, we slept at Camp [74.7/468], which offers a lovely spot next to some beehives.
The second day was short. After leaving the RR route, we continued on variant {18-C}, which was mostly minor road. At the end of this variant is a main road, so we hitched a ride to Llifén. From there, we took a bus to Futrono and then onward to Valdivia. Buses run regularly and frequently.
* '''Start 2025-01-02/ 2.5d / Hiking / NOBO / RR, Var. D+E/ Mara & Tobias'''
A big thanks goes to Tomáš and Nathalie who told us right on time how to avoid the BB (Var. D and Var. E)! After an off day at hot springs with asado with Chileans (camp 82.3), we started relaxed in the section. We followed the quad tracks (Var. D and Var. E), there was water every 30 minutes. Some fallen trees, especially after the first pass (NOBO). Ferry schedule for Lago Pirihueco: https://barcazahuahum.com/en/schedule-and-prices/
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2024-12-30 to 2025-01-01 / 3 days / Packrafting/ SOBO/ RP, RR, variants D, E / Natalie & Tomáš'''</span>
Day one: The lake, 22 km
After a slow rainy morning, we started to paddle around 10:30. From the start, we had wind on our backs and manageable waves. We tried to improvize a sail from our tyvek and it worked (and is faster) however holding it with one's hands is tiring and overall it feels a bit less stable. Mid-lake, waves had maybe half a metre. On our way to "Hot spring 13.4" we stopped advancing to the shore due to the waves. We very shortly panicked and then realized we were both backpaddling. Stopping that solved our motionlessness and we shortly reached the luxury "Hot Springs" where we had lunch. The resort looks somewhat deserted and the various pools were empty. The water comes from underground and is only available when the generator in a building is turned on. We discovered this when suddenly a private group of day trippers appeared and water started to flow. They did not seem frazzled by our presence and their guides chatted with us amicaly. Apparently it is used during afternoons when guests are interested and ferried in, which is probably several times a week. The whole thing is bizzare but suitable for a stop, however do not expect a hotspring.
We then continued to where RP lands. Waves got to about 70 cm and twice we had to turn and ferry away from the shore, however mostly the wind pushed us in the right direction.. Indeed end of RP is a good camping spot. There was a speedboat parked. After some time, two people on another boat came. One of them approached us, raising fears we would be evicted. However, he just announced his boat was broken and asked if we would not mind if he picked it up two hours later. We did not and he later indeed came and left with the boat.
Day two: The road, 28 km
Nothing exciting here. This is all on a minor road in various states of disrepair. Apart from the first two km and on one km in the middle around camp at 55.4, this seems never to be driven by cars. In some sections, there is a lot of treefall (Tomáš used our machete here) or grass that it feels more like a trail. It is possible the tree fall is mostly being cleared as most of the trees were fresh but we were not sure.
Day 3: No bushbash 21 km
Tomáš wondered that nobody tried variant D. When we got to camp at 64.1, we saw fresh quad/ATV and motorcycle tracks coming from it. When we discovered very fresh cuts on wood, we took our chances, as the quad must have driven from somewhere. This is a former MR (same as E), now mostly overgrown with up to 1 m high grass (the quad did a good job of pushing it down) and occasional overhanging bamboo, but it is no bushbashing (a quad made it through!). Not sure if the end of D variant after fording the river exists(it used to be a road, possibly very overgrown). Around -40.12325, -71.90483, the GPT tracks are imprecise, there had been a huge landslide and the route goes down to overcome it, leading to a sharp and unexpected climb. However, it is easy to follow and RR should be probably rerouted through here. RR 64.9 is again a road, not a trail. At -40.16345, -71.92168, it looks like NOBO one could follow and find a shorter route up (here the former MR is so receded that it is a TL). Ford 77.7 was to our thighs but easy. You can climb up the bank on the right near a broken fence but then you have to pass through a very slack barbwire fence on your left. Then you are in the road. On your left, remnants of abanoned sawmill (that is what it is, Lilian) will please any urbexer. We walked to the free termas, where on New Year were quite some locals and we also met Tobias and Mara there. The water was pleasantly warm, would not describe it as lukewarm. They met a guy with whom we arranged a free ride to Puerto Mahiue. The last ten km or so is paved and is a PR, not MR. We slept as the only guests at a Camping Don Julio. No hot water and electricity went off during the night (maybe battery powered?) made us think 8000 was a bit overpriced. Entel internet here fast enough but not the greatests.
* '''24-12-28 - 24-12-29/ 2 days / SOBO / RR, OH18a / Volker'''
The botanic section
This section has a low ranking and my main goal was to walk it quick instead of a long way by bus from the end of gpt17 to the start of gpt19. It turned out, that this section has a special charme and I liked it very much - at least on day 1.
Day 1: I connected the 17 and the 18 and finished the 17 at the indicated spot on the beach at 22.2. This substantially shortened the 18. First easy and quick dirt road walking in the forest. Later many broken trees. I had that before, even on the Villarica Traversa, where the Conaf got lazy, but not for such a long distance. Nothing difficult, it just slows you down. Shortly before the pass I could move quicker, soon after the pass the tree climbing and bypassing started again. It is over after the junction to the NOBO emergency exit (if you go NOBO and take this route to Puerto Fuy, you will have it). For me, a very beautiful part started: I walked for more than two hours over meadows and a meadow-like trail, on this late december day it was like fording a white and yellow ocean of daisies and buttercups (up to my thighs/knees). Smooth walking, navigation very easy, camp spots nearly everywhere (less when you get closer to X 18, 61.1).
The paradise was disturbed, when I arrived at X 61.1. Distant but rapidly approaching motor roaring. I hardly managed to hide behind a tree, when a dozen of quads and motocross bikes came up from the RR and continued on OH01a. Thanks God a huge broken tree blocks the entrance to the RR from where I came. I camped on the beautiful meadow at 64.1, hidden from the dirt road. The next morning I understood, that the qads had entered via OH01a and were on their way back from the bridge at 64.2.
Day 2: The BB-day. Most important: The trail is very overgrown, but it is there. Even if you don’t see it, you feel it under your feet. On 98% of the route it is no real bush-bashing. Except from some spots, the rule is: If you are bush-bashing, you have lost the trail. The most important exceptions are at:
S 40.094767° W 71.892545° (I spent more than 15 minutes of BB before I by chance found the trail again, gps-spotting is not precise enough (5m).
S 40.096544° W 71.891825°
S 40.128486° W 71.904211°
At S 40.121519° W 71.898829° I was „walking“ like the bear under bamboo, but: on the trail!
Nevertheless: You are slowed down. In the same hiking time as on the two days before, I walked 16km instead of more than 30. It took me more than 5 hours to get from the camp spot at 64.1 to the indicated ford at 72.2. If you walk SOBO and arrive at the camp spot later than 3 p.m., you should camp there. Next feasible camp close to the ford at 72.1.
Very important: Do not cross Rio Curringue, but take OH18a (thanks Lilian for this hint, others mentioned it before, but I think such important Information should be repeated in every comment). I had a look at the situation on the other side of the river (easy fording a very welcome cooling down) and after 20m couldn‘t figure out how to continue. On OH18a all easy, as described by Lilian. I was really glad, when I got out of the forest and think this route should be the new RR and the actual one downgraded to „Exploration“. At the 2nd gate at 80.5 there is a house to the left, people there, I asked, if I can pass the gate - and was offered a ride to Currine. The woman was very friendly, but what she is doing there is highly questionable. She has bought much land (outside of Huilo Huilo, as she said) and looks for international investors to build up a community for „eco-social recreation“…
In Currine 2 shops, in the first I was told, that there is no lodging in Currine, I have to walk/hitchhike to Maihue. In the second shop I was offered a room for 25k, very friendly family! Happy end of a demanding day.
* '''Start 2024-11-22/ 4d / Hiking SOBO RR / Mo'''
Resupply in Puerto Fuy, 2h Ferry to Pirihueico, after short PR, MR with many fallen logs, the long ascent to pass, snow higher than 1400m, the trail before and after the Crossing of Rio Curringue ist overgrown, 2 times I had to climb a muddy slope to bypass a part where BB was too hard. I think in some weeks a machete is advisable. The ford before Santa Rosa was hard for me, but at the exact location of the RR. The hot spring shortly after Chihuio is great. The supermarket in Currine has really nice owners but the selection is small. I did't check the smalmLr supermarkets on the way down to Currine.
==Season 2023/24==
* '''2024-Mar-31 to 2024-Apr-1 / 2.5 days / SOBO / RR 01 / Matthias de Austria''' No tabanos, mosquitos, snow fields, only dry feet fordings, humans (after Pirehueico). Almost all easy hiking on MR but some really nice, remote views deep into the woods. 4km bushbashing on option 01 (OH-TL-V 18-01 (7.4+5.5)). Option 01 has a right of way dispute warning, but I did not met anyone (1st april Easter monday afternoon). I arrive around 11am, next ferry is sold out. I buy a ticket for the next one, but then later just ask the ferry guy if I can take his one. It is no problem, pleny of space on the ferry, only 1 car but quite a lot of chilean pensioners on a day trip (Easter saturday). If you need to go to the border, there is a tour bus for by ferry incoming tourist driving to the border and back showing the sights for 3k. They make a 2min break at the border so you can leave there. Gate at -40.030385,-71.716310, when leaving the main street south of Pirehueico. Fence at -40.035548,-71.723497, just follow it few m to the right, there is a big hole. Water at -40.027694,-71.749299 Very nice camp at -40.008036,-71.748024 but no water except lakewater. Which was nice for swimming end of March. Table, benches, early morning sun. Great! No bridge at 37.1/1012.Bridge and water at -40.006756,-71781854Broken car bridge at -40.005866,-71.782878 but ok to use for hikers.Water at -39.996643,-71.862354Water at -40.005689,-71.868667 (hut nearby for bad weather) Option 01: Water -40.026046,-71.879994Camp without water at -40.023440,-71.935911 afterwards a few hours of BB starts with no space for tents.Water -40.030034,-71.948043 next possible camp at -40.03884,-71.95634, water at -40.039819,-71.959432 and at -40.045261,-71.963701Around -40.047497,-71.964783 small space on sand for a tent with water next to it. From here on along Rio Pillanleufú there's less busbashing, but the trail is still overgrown for a few hundreds meters. Rest of 01 is easy walking with an easy dry feet ford and two closed but easy open cattle gates. When I arrived at the mainstreet at bridge 31.6/200 at 6:30pm there was a bus picking me up to the shop in Curriñe. Shop owner is friendly Antonio who arranged a room for the night at a amazing family home nearby. 10k incl. Food and washingmashine. Curriñe has a very bad Internet connection. Variant 01F is the route of the minor road on which you walk coming from the north. The shortcuts inbetween are hiking trails in good condition. So 01F is quite useless I think. Due to bad weather I went to Valdivia. There I saw a lot of adverts for very expensive tours into the Huilo Huilo Reserve, and the dirt road on 01 is full of car and motorcycle tracks. Guess that rare deer is ok with that, just non paying hikers are a threat...but maybe by now it is ok to walk there. I meet noone and suggest to just try. * '''From 20232024-02-29 to 20232024-03/02 // 2 days // Hiking // NOBO // RR // Quentin Clavel'''
Everything has already been said so I'll be short.
Puerto Fuy ➡️ Puerto Pirihueico : 07:00 / 11:00 / 13:30 / 15:30 / 18:00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday :
Puerto Fuy ➡️ Puerto Pirihueico : 09:00 / 11:00 / 13:30 / 15:30 / 18:00
Friday :
Puerto Fuy ➡️ Puerto Pirihueico : 07:00 / 09:00 / 12:30 / 13:30 / 17:00 / 18:00
Saturday/Sunday :
Puerto Fuy ➡️ Puerto Pirihueico : 08:00 / 09:00 / 12:30 / 13:30 / 17:00 / 18:00
*'''2024-Jan-21 to 2024-Jan-24 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR - {18-A} - RR / Lilian'''
About the ferry and time schedule in 2024,
Ferry from Puerto Pirehueico to Puerto Fuy:
Monday(09:00,16:00,20:30), Tuesday to Thursday(11:30,16:00,20:30), Friday(09:00,15:00,19:30), Saturday and Sunday(10:30,15:00,19:30)
Resupply in Puerto Fuy,
When you are waiting the ferry, you can go for a boat tour, kayak trip, or take a nap on the beach under a big tree(-39.87178, -71.88877) like me.
It is about 1.5 hour on ferry. You can charge your device on it, total eight electric outlet at each corners of passenger's room.
A small hut with fire ring and seats at (-40.00855, -71.74885), still in ok condition, BUT someone made it to be a toilet, toilet paper inside with some...
Bridge[33.9/716] : cross El Condor on an old bridge, side trail before the crossing on left side to the water.
Km48.2 : cross a bridge and water flowing good. Side trail to water at left side before the crossing.
X[50.5/1090] : road junction, also the junction of RR and {18-02A}(only for emergency exit), road condition changing point, after here, the road become overgrown and grassy, sometimes with blowdowns need to go around or step over. ok to walk, easy to follow.
X[56.4/850] : i sleep at the spot(-40.01544, -71.86674) that Hermann and Coline said, it is really nice, thank you! The spot is on the road that going west, just after the junction 20m, covered by 2 sides of trees, dry flat spot can fit 2 tents. Symphony by frogs at night, but not too close, so it is a good sleeping music. Excellent!
Km56.8 : super huge blowdown, climb over(use small tree for step) at left side or crawl at right side.
A huge old machine at here, coal or wood for fuel, have two big wheel on top, looks like is vapor turbine? Does anyone know what the machine is? And why it is here? It looks so great, please tell me if you know it, thank you for advance!
Km66.65 : narrow dry riverbed going down, you can follow it to the river, a camping spot(-40.09412, -71.89251) can fit 1 tent just before the crossing. Cross the river and go upstream 20m, then you'll find the trail continues going, water up to half of calf.
Then rejoin RR at last.
Gate[78.5/354] : two dogs barking at me, but didn't see any people when i was there. Climb over a 1.8m locked gate.
About the details, read GPT19's comment.
* '''2024-Jan-08 to 11 / 4 days / Hiking / SOBO / Argentina, completely new options, San Martín de los Andes to Villa Lago Meliquina / Natalie & Tomáš'''
[Note 2024 November: This is not in the GPT yet at all, but it is in our suggestions in the 2024 Track files. This is a part of an alternative Argentinian route connecting GPT16 all the way to GPT21. In our opinion, for hikers it is probably better as it involes a lot less roadwalking and is very scenic (and the roadwalking there is is mostly easily hitchable). It might be slightly mode difficult than the RR. This is especially useful when coming from the Villarica traverse. What follows is roughly what corrresponds to second half of GPT18, previous log is in GPT16, next GPT19. Look also at Hannes von S report who followed us:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/222224388283455/posts/1763867210785824/.
Our pictures: https://www.facebook.com/groups/222224388283455/posts/1757128991459646/.]
The majority of this route is easy CC but when on the ridge, travel is easy. The main crux is getting off the top of Chapelco through a western gully but there is a safer and longer option if you backtrack to the valley below. The pros are the beautiful views on the ridge, interesting rock features, condors, no people, no roads (or only a short carless MR in the middle] and ending in Villa de Lago Meliquina. Water and sun exposure and/or snow may or may not be an issue depending on the time of year. It may be challenging to some but hopefully a "fun" type of challenge.
Difficulties The ridge CC is easy, there are a little more obstacles between Laguna Kika and Chapelco, in which you will need to use your hands but virtually no obstacles on the second half of the ridge towards Meliquina. - The scramble "off" of Chapelco can be dangerous, especially with a big pack. There are [Tomáš: that is some Canadian versioning:-D] X2 class three sections/ high class three (Tomáš: SAC T5 or so), one solid and steep and the second is less steep but more loose. There is also a possibly slippery and exposed grass traverse if wet. Not advisable if the weather is bad. The next best option if you do not scramble, is to leave your bag at the beginning of the normal Chapelco climb, climb it, and head down into the valley that the regular Chapelco climb starts in. In this valley there should be another MR leading to the disused road the scramble takes you to. [Or one can go under the cliffs, look into aur track files.] - Obstacle #2, gaining the ridge above the puesto. Slow, steep, sun exposed and tricky navigation. Expect it to take half of the day. [But it is pretty!] - Water/wind and possibly heat could be uncomfortable. We traveled at a time when snow was not an issue for walking but there was still enough of it to supply a lot of drinking water, I do not know what this would be like when dry [Hannes managed it]. 1) San Martin to northern-most trailhead and to Laguna Kika. Although there are many different trailheads for Laguna Kika and Cerro Chapelco, we chose the northern-most access [here: 40.1381147S, 71.2258936W] in order to enjoy the ridge traverse.In the San Martin bus terminal, the local buses are blue and you will either need a SUBE card or ask someone to pay for you and pay them back. (SUBE card is availalbe at the terminal) Ask someone for the bus to Cordones del Chapelco, near the golf course. We got off near the end of town where a quarry or something similar is, it was easy then to go straight up the streets towards the trailhead. There are some pedestrian short cuts here and there and an outside water faucet on the main supermarket (closed at the time), you could also ask locals for water or come with water. It seems there may be a right of way issue at the trailhead bcs a home owner seemed to purposely point us in the wrong direction. However, this is a used trail, so it should not be a big deal, there are faint yellow-and-white markings. Nevertheless, use the GPS to help you at the start as there are many animal paths and the trail to the ridge is not always visible. [The routes are mostly in OSM now]. Many spiky plants so shorts will hurt a bit. The ridge can be very windy but navigation is straightforward. To get to Laguna Kika, you have to drop down to the southern side of it, there should be cairns. We had a lot of snow melt flowing into the lake we could drink from. Camp that night was very cold and windy. We build a wind-wall that helped a bit. 2) Laguna Kika and the Cerro Chapelco traverse and beyond.It is a simple navigation from Laguna Kika to the start of trail up Cerro Chapelco, there are only a few simple rocky features closer to Chapelco that you will have to use your hands for. Nothing really exposed there. The ridge is CC, but once you start the final climb, there is a trail of sorts. Bring your water from the lake or keep an eye out on your left-hand side for snowmelt, you will have to climb down and off the ridge to get it. Otherwise there should be snowmelt on the other side of Chapelco, below the summit tower and before the scramble, there were "streams" of snowmelt when we where there. For the standard Cerro Chapelco climb, it is cairned and fairly obvious where the trail is. You do not stay on the ridge the whole time, there is a traverse on the east side for a bit. From the summit, walk further south away from the old monitoring tower (actually not sure what it is) and look for a way off (west face) that works for you. The descent from there until the scramble is technically easy but slow because you are walking on loose rubble. Lots of water. You can enjoy the view of some of the steep drop offs to your left. Eventually you must get access to the narrow scramble gully -40.22660, -71.26430, when you are descending there is a short cliff right above it so you will have to stay left of the cliff and then traverse right to the scramble gully. There is a cairn. The beginning of the gully is steep but okay, it is near the end that you will have to scramble facing the wall. The holds are very good and it is not vertical - feels like a laddera bit. If you have a long rope for your backpacks, this would be a good time to use it. Do not follow the gully all the way down, after the steep but solid section, there will be a grass patch on your right (looking down) that you can traverse. It is also steep and slippery so not ideal in bad weather. Eventually after the grass traverse you have to work your way down to the base, this is where the second more loose scramble is, it is only one or two moves (and much less exposed). Once on the mountain base and off the scramble, traverse above the shrubbery to a lowlying ridge on your left. Once safely on the ridge the way is easy, there is a trail, follow the ridge and descend a bit on your right to the disused road. There is an easy-to-climb gate. There is good camping at the bottom of the disused road near a puesto that may or may not be active. At the time there were streams running down the road so you can take that water or drink the water from the river below. We camped further down the road near a jumpable ford to be a little closer to the ridge ascent the next day.3) Disused road to simple hunting cabin and ridge (+Optional peak).Follow the disused road until here -40.26425, -71.29475. The last stream before turning into the simple hunting cabin is here,-40.26359, -71.29430. After that there is no water until quite high (once again, not sure what water is like in late season).From the cabin, surprisingly there is a trail up and through the thick shrubbery to your left November 2024 now also in OSM], it goes along and above the steep stream bed. If you cannot find the trail through the shrubbery you are in for a near impossible bushbash. Climbing along the tiny trail, it is not always visible, there is a rock outcrop -40.27048, -71.29008 that you need to stay left of in the middle of all the bamboo and bush. In the back of this rock outcrop there is a narrow passage through the shrubs, no need to scramble unless you want to (like Tomáš). After the rock outcrop there is some steep sidehilling with minor bamboo-bashing followed by a steep landside assent. Luckily after the steep landslide the terrain gets easier. After the landslide, you climb up and traverse left and then right around a ledge systém to get to the otherside of the "corner" -40.27260, -71.28829. Then it is another ascent on rubble followed by a rubble traverse until you get to the point you need to go straight up (on steep easy grass -40.27384, -71.28521). This steep grass ascent is not obvious, you have to keep traversing past gully systems until you get to it. Then you can follow the ridge for a while and get to the first water spot -40.27309, -71.28296. After the water spot you have to go around a small leftward corner where the water comes from and then up again to the ridge. Finally this ridge is the one you can keep walking on (mostly) until heading to the final push for the "main" ridge! Mostly rubble. [November 2024: if it sounds complicated, following our tracks in the suggestinos shoulw make it easier, what is important takeway that this is a walkup, if steep, no climb.] On the main ridge there is a quick and easy walk on stones and dirt to the summit that lies next to Chapelco -40.26451, -71.25841. From Chapelco it looks unwalkable (but it is!). Worth the trip, many condors there that like to fly really close to you. 4) Final Ridge Traverse to the descent to Laguna Meliquina. The rest of the ridge is truly fast without any surprises. Although getting to the ridge takes half of the day, we were still able to climb that mountain and get to a good camping spot here -40.32033, -71.25775 in one day. Views at sunset were excellent. Our camp spot had a good water source but was not completely wind protected, one can explore the area for a better spot if need be. This is the last water source until Meliquina.After the camping spot, the ridge peters out and you have to make your own way down to Meliquina, which was not as straight forward as we expected (but still good!). If you keep your eyes out, there were hundreds of small crystal-like nuggets on the ground, very neat! Navigation is not slowed until you get to around here -40.34952, -71.24666. Here you have to climb on and off the rocks and into the bush at times. GPS is handy here unless you want to make your own way. There is one last and very minor hill climb up a nursery pine slope which makes for easy walking (just hot). but unfortunately the other side is not pine, it is bamboo. Use the gps for the bamboo or try and stick to the left. Closer to the bottom there is a very faint footpath. There will be a section where the bamboo is gone but the trees are so dense and dead that you have to go far left to get around them. There will be one fence you have to jump over near the end before getting to the very dusty MR for Meliquina. Jump it early and walk up along it and or try to jump it higher up where the road should be. Before the dusty road actually starts, there is a nice view of Meliquina, makes for a nice rest unless you are dying to get to Meliquina. 5) In Meliquina Meliquina is interesting, it is a small but popular place for locals, very "tranquilo". There is no cell phone reception but there is good wifi at the tourist info board here -40.38378, -71.25086. If planning to stay, you need to organize your stay here by using Whatsapp and/or the QR codes given for cabanas and hospedajes, the QR codes do not always work, it is very simple in the end, but needs some patience. We got lucky and stayed in a two-story Cabana for 40mil for the two of us (no linens, you can ask for a deal if you do not need linens) because it was late in the day. However I heard very good things about the "bike hostel". Food is surprisingly good, we ate the meal of the day at Lago Refugio Meliquina (beginning of the strip) which was tasty and bought expensive yet delicious hiking treats and Nat enjoyed their whole-wheat bread loafs. For resupply we enjoyed the shop and the shopkeeper at La proveedora de Daniela. She had a strict but funny attitude, made amazing pickled eggplants and even gave Tomáš herbs out of her own hand that she was not planning to sell. If you want fancy chocolate and cheese, this is the place to go: el panal de Meliquina is across the street. Many other small shoes scattered around, you are in Argentina so the food is usually always good 🙂.For transportation I am sure it is easy to hitch back to San Martin if need be but I recommend hitching to Lago Filo Hua Hum to continue our Traverse to Lago Traful:) [see our log for GPT19]. *'''2024-01-06 / 1,5 days / Hiking / SOBO / new optio + option 2 + Option 1/ Jens '''
I missed the ferry because the timetable has changed. It is now 8am, 12.30pm and 5pm. With poor visibility and a ferry booked for the early afternoon, I decided to take option 2. At the bridge in Fuy, the gate was closed and the guard wouldn't let me pass, even though I showed some leg. He called his boss who forbid me to pass. He explained that it was all private property. After discussing the route with him, he suggested I try a few kilometres further down the river.
Added ferry timetables down below.
*'''2023-Dec-20 / 5.5 days / Hiking / NOBO / RR-MR OH-MR OH-BB&TL RR-MR&BB RR-MR / Hermann and Coline'''
As we arrived at Futrono (north of the Lago Ranco), the Scotiabank indicated on Google Maps did not exist. We walked on the paved road until Llifén, where some of the campings indicated did not exist either. Maybe, we were too soon in the season... And the next night, we slept in a bus station on the way to Arquilhue.
There's a charged camping on the road 203 CH, where you can charge your batteries and phones for free, by just asking the owner.
*<span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2023-Dec-7/ 6 days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP-LK-2 + RR-MR + RR-MR&BB + OH-BB&TL / Lauren & Sebastian'''</span>
We were hosted by 2 friendly locals at Puerto Fuy who gave us a ride, cooked dinner and let us stay for a night. Where we launched the packraft, it‘s a quiet spot and we had no issues with authorities about entering the lake. Lago Pirihueico was scenic with strong backwind which allowed us to use our sail on a run and cross in half a day. Lunch break at the beautiful remote beach of Los Baños was splendid. We camped at Camp {18} [22.2/615] but would not recommend on hindsight as we wasted quite some time setting up the boat to get to the trail entry point and repacking. If we had known the trail head was a good campsite, we could have started hiking in the morning.
The reward for 2 days in the dense forest was an amazing campsite with hot springs. We stayed an extra night there and an old man told us we can buy eggs from the house with the wooden gate you have to climb over. The remaining part to Lago Maihue we mostly hitchhiked as much of the road is now asphalt. There are several well-stocked shops along the way to resupply. Campsites and restaurants further down at Lago Maihue are amazing and there are buses to Futrono and Llifen if you have time to explore the area. An enjoyable end to this section!
* '''Recommendation Jan Dudeck in November 2023: Based on the STRAVA Heat Global Heatmap (https://www.strava.com/heatmap#11.72/-71.93115/-40.05048/hot/all) the route GPT18 Option 1 is more used. It remains unclear if this route gets hikers in the right-of-way dispute. Anyway, it seams worthwhile attempting this route especially when walking southbound. This should avoid demanding bush bashing and also prevents some more difficult river crossings.'''
* Recommendation Jan Dudeck in November 2023<span style="background-color: Based on the STRAVA Heat Global Heatmap (https://www.strava.com/heatmap#11.72/-71.93115/-40.05048/hot/all) the route GPT18 Option 1 is more used. It remains unclear if this route gets hikers in the right-of-way dispute. Anyway, it seams worthwhile attempting this route especially when walking southbound. This should avoid demanding bush bashing and also prevents some more difficult river crossings. * aqua;">'''2023-Nov-22 / 4 days / Packrafting / SOBO / RR / Tom Pieper'''</span>
After section 17P I continued on that section. Had no issues with the armada de Chile. I guess you can prevent problems by inflating the packraft at the park/camping spot as indicated in the packrafting track files (some trees provide shelter, too). The crossing of the lake was amazing. I scouted a potential emergency camp site at (S 30° 53.353' W071° 50.302') with a little creek and an abandoned track that winds out into the mountains but not investigated the track further. The Camp {18} [7.9+0.4/625] is fantastic. Nice views and beach. Next day I continued to Camp {18} [22.2/615]. Some fisherman are around in the afternoon at this part of the lake. Had a nice chat with three of them - the lake is famous for its trouts. Saw also some close to the shore in shallow water. Next day I went ashore at RP-TL-V {18} [22.9+0.1] and continued regular route. The track is in good condition (only a few small trunks) despite the second Bridge {18} [37.1/1012] is collapsed. But the river can be forded easily instead. Snow starts at 1200 m a soon became a problem. As the ascent to Pass {18} [43.0/1485] lies on the southern site, snow is retained on the broad but winding track forming snow shields of 1-3 m thickness. Saying that, the ascent is possible but exhaustive. I only went to the pass and returned as up there the amount of snow gets massive an the track is covered completely under steep snowy flanks. I guess it to be better on the descent on the northern side but I did not investigated. I camped on the track for one night and continued the next day to the shore where I landed the day before. Met a group of 15 mountainbiking Chilenos who said they have to make it to Puerto Fuy over that track, but I do not know if and how they achived. You can encounter Chilean Ocelot Tarantula and Darwin's frog directly on the track close to the lake. Next day I tooked the RH-MR-V {18} [26.0+6.5] to Puerto Pirehueico and toked the ferry back to Puerto Fuy.
* Recommendation Frank in January 2023: Option OH-001 crossing Rio Corrigue: this section barely exists as large parts have been taken back by bamboo. It is now a severe & sustained bamboo bash requiring huge effort to crawl, break & climb through at about 1 kilometre per hour. Try RR or other options instead
* '''2023-Feb-04 / 3.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + OH 18-A / Martin & Helena'''
Ferry from Pt Fuy leaves 4 times a day (schedule posted to fb group) but in high season it seems to be sold out quickly - at 09:30 we were able to buy tickets only for the last one that day and there was a big line… some people might have a reservation, but we are not sure if its possible to book in advance. The price is a little over 1000 CLP, payment only with cc. However we asked at the 13:30 ferry if we can take it since we have just backpacks and don’t even need a seat, and there was no problem, the ferry had way more seats than people anyway. Possible to charge electronics there and buy drinks. On the other side are 2 accomodation options - cabaña and basic rooms in residence house that are for 40k CLP for 3 bed room and 30k CLP for 2 single bed room, incl. private bathroom with hot water. Basic shop is a little overpriced so better to buy in Pt Fuy. Good options for eating - huge sandwiches, empanadas and local beer in the wooden kiosks where most of the people from ferry go.
Contact: @martin_hanzelka @helenneka
* '''2023-Jan-04 to 2023-Jan-06 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Zach + Valentin'''
After meeting in Bolivia, we met up again in Puerto Fuy. Dubious section selection for Valentin’s first multi day hike. We took the 09:00 super scenic ferry to Puerto Pirehueico. Another vote for Mané’s empanadas de pescado. After hopping over the signless fence the trail follows an old road bed with a gentle grade for a day and a half: one last dip in the lake, a nice woods vibe, big old trees, some light caressing of bushes, and flowers galore. My paddle blade made an excellent Tábano (horsefly) swatter for the open fields. Views at the pass were rewarding but brief. After the bridge and cabin at 64.2 the bamboo bumping began. A machete would have been cathartic. The regular route trail (RR-TL-V {18} [62.7/72.2+2.1]) was the whackiest. Gaps in the trees allowed sufficient sunshine for walls of bamboo to grow. It was usually possible to see the old treadway but slow goings averaging less than 1 km/hr. “Termas➡️” was written in red on a tree around (-40.1600, -71.9206) but we didn’t investigate. We didn’t see (RR-TL-V {18} [67.6/77.2+1.3]) and forded when the road reached the river, shimmying under barbed wire on the other side. Later we saw the riverside gate a bit south of the southernmost “ford?” location. No problems with guards or property owners. The termas naturales were a splendid end to Valentin’s first backpacking trip. We got a ride out from a couple at the hot springs.
* '''2023-Jan-03 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR & optional route between Estero El Africano and waypoint "Guard" / Frank '''
The first 40KM are on an old jeep track. There are some fallen trees but you can generally get round them easily. At Camp 133 the ground is rough & I didn't find a good camping spot. Instead a little before the camp I crossed the stream & 200 metres downstream there are two huts. The smaller one is in good condition & I slept on the floor. Saw wild boar nearby. You cross the river on a bridge to a hut, continuing on a trail that is partly overgrown with young bamboo. Bush bashing is mostly easy. Also some fallen trees & 2 very short sections of severe bamboo bashing.
==Season 2021/22==
* '''2021-Dec-25 / 4 days / Hiking / NOBO / Molly and Melissa '''
Good: You dive deep into old forests, it feels like true jungle. Many beautiful flowery meadows. Beautiful views on the last-ish part before the lake + the lake. We didn't meet anyone after crossing the gate. Nice hot springs in the beginning. The ferry trip itself
==Season 2019/20==
* '''2020-Feb / Hiking / NOBO / RR + OH-01 / Matthieu '''
Forest trail, a part technical and slow. The rest is nice and calm, easy to follow, for the ones liking the smell of fresh herbs, flowers, and the bees.
After Camp 134, I crossed a car of Guardaparques : they just asked me where I came from and where I went, made sure that I had the GPS to not loose myself in the forest, and let me continue without discussion. So I guess that there is finally no problems with walking in this part of the parc.
*'''2020-Feb-13 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + OH-01 + 02 + 03 between Estero El Africano and waypoint "Guard" / Martina & Ivo '''
Thanks to the previous comments of Arnaud and Matus we were prepared for the middle part of this section. At the Estero El Africano we didn't try long to find the regular route but crossed the Río Curringue to take optional route 001, 002 and 003 and got back to the regular route at the waypoint "Guard".
We didn't really look for resupply, accommodation or transportation opportunities in Curriñe or Puerto Maihue but at the moment in high season it's very easy to hitchhike to Futrono, where you find everything, plus regular busses to Valdivia.
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2019-Dec-5 / 1 day / Packrafting / SOBO / OP Lago Pirihueico only / Shaun C '''</span>
Packrafted Lago Pirihueico only - as add-on to Section 17P. Didn’t hike any part of Section 18. At Puerto Fuy, an official of the Armada/Navy said solo kayaking on the lake was prohibited, but after a 10 minute conversation I convinced him to let me do it. Key was saying that I, not Navy, bore responsibility. Lake is stunning, especially at dawn.
*'''2020-Jan-16 / 4 days / Hiking / SOBO / Arnaud Debilly '''
4 days with one day off due to rain
==Season 2017/18==
*'''Kara Davis'''
Notes to consider before beginning: We were halted by rangers in a jeep on the 4WD road on the west side of Río Pillanleufu. They informed us it was illegal to be in Huilo Huilo at this time because the reserve was closed for the rehabilitation of the Pudú, the world’s smallest deer. We had no knowledge of this since we entered the reserve in a very remote location and there was not adequate signage to inform us of this closure. After explaining this to the ranger, they escorted us out of the reserve. You may want to enquire about the status of Huilo Huilo before beginning this section.
Comment by Jan Dudeck: This was publicly accessible land with public roads until the Petermann clan took control of this vast property during the final year of the Pinochet dictatorship. Huilo Huilo is not advertised as a “private for profit reserve” with very expensive high-end lodging but wood logging continues in parts of this property. Several hikers reported that they were stopped by guards and send or escorted out. It remains unclear to me if the right-of-way legally ended or if the new owner simply want to keep people out that don’t spend lots of money.
GPT18 begins with a 23 km paddle on Lago Pirihueico, a long, remote, serpentine lake. There are almost no residences along the shoreline of Lago Pirihueico, but there are some beaches suitable for camping. A ferry also runs from Puerto Fuy to Puerto Pirihueico at the southern end of the lake several times a day. You can find more information about the ferry and make reservations here: https://barcazahuahum.com/en/schedule-and-prices/.
Futrono, about a 40 minute drive from where the route joins T-559, is the nearest large town. It has a variety of restaurants and lodging options and is a good place to resupply. There is no central bus station in Futrono, but there is a gas station at the east end of town where you can pick up a bus that will take you back to the trail.
=Resupply and Accommodation=
* Puerto Pirihueico
Several restaurants and a small shop which has coffee, tea, pasta and flour.Cabañas and camp ground.The Hostel Andalue [-39.87164, -71.89047] is a good option for a comfy bed. Next to the ferry terminal, inexpensive (20'000CLP pp) and the owners are really lovely and nice. We could even do laundry here and had it dried in the warmth of the kitchen over night. In summer they also do breakfasts for an additional price, we were told.
==Resupply and Accommodation along the Route==
*2024 / Quentin Clavel
Puerto fuy Is a touristic place, so plenty of few restaurantand fiestas (these places with kind of street food, and lot of tables and chairs at the center, love the atmosphere there), accomodation and mini market. I FOUND GAZ IN NELTUME !! (5km on the road after Puerto Fuy (Easy to hitchhike, I did all the ferretería of this city and I found a Gaz screw bottle in the ferretería Camilo (39°50′46.12″S 71°56′39.48″W).
In Puerto Pirihueico, possibility to east as well, recommandation for the empanadas and food in Mane's place, just at the ferry.
=Transport to and from Route=
There are frequent buses from Valdivia to Pangipulli, about one an hour from 8AM to 9PM.
[[Archivo:20240106 090352.jpg|miniaturadeimagen]]
=Permits, Entry Fees and Right-of-Way Issues=
=Links to other Resources=