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{{Trekking Chile}}
{{Rutas Patrimoniales english}}
==SeasonGeneral Description== The Heritage Trail Patagonian Andes - Lake Palena, located in one of the mostisolated and topographically complex geographical areas in Chile, represents aunique opportunity for lovers of long-range horseback excursions to retrace thepaths traveled by the pioneer settlers of yesteryear in their incursions up the inlandvalleys of the El Tigre and El Azul Rivers. This route combines views of exceptional landscape, environmental education,observations of native flora, visits to places occupied in the past and the discoveryof one of the most beautiful areas of the Patagonian region of Chile: Lake Palenaand the surrounding mountains covered with placid deciduous forests made upprimarily of lenga trees (Nothofagus pumilio). This trail covers 33 kilometers that can be traveled by horseback to gain accessto the Lago Palena National Nature Reserve, a little explored wildlife area that becauseof its beauty and pristine state is representative of how the landscape was in all ofthese inland valleys in the recent past. Without a doubt, those who visit this interestingroute will have reason to meditate about our role throughout history concerningour exploitation of natural resources and its effect on the landscape. ==AccessLocation==
The Patagonian Andes
Lake Palena Heritage Trail runs
separates this area from the El
Tranquilo River.
==Season=By car= ==Access==
Accessing the trail from the north
is made by taking the way out of
Guidepost 1 is located to mark the
start of this heritage trail.
===Public transport===
(PENDANT)
==Trail markings==
The trail, which is divided into
three separate sections, has 35
georeferenced guideposts to facilitate
the orientation and understanding of
visitors. The guidepost signs are placed
on posts of coihue, ñire and lenga
wood 1.5 meters high posted alongside
the trail.
The distance between guideposts
is variable, depending on the thematic
characteristics featured at each point
of interest, the necessary directions to
be given along the way, and fords to
cross over the river. In any event,
distances between any two guideposts
are never more than 2 kilometers.
Additionally, 26 trail markers are used
as an aid to indicate the path to take
from Guidepost 30 onward in forested
areas that have restricted line-of-sight
visibility.
==Route description==
This heritage route starts justsouth of the town of Palena, located atthe south end of the Province of Palena. The north-south trendinglandforms of the area traveled by thisroute feature the valleys of the El Tigreand El Azul Rivers. The route is dividedinto three sections: Section 1 starts at the existing endof the motor vehicle road that is to linkPalena with the settled locality of ElAzul in the future and is to end at thatlocality. This section covers a distance ofapproximately 10 kilometers on aclearly distinct and marked trail with10 guidepost of interest located alongthe way.These guideposts are primarilylocated at sites that feature exceptionalviews of the landscape, observationsof native flora (such as notro and radaltrees and regrowth stands of coihuetrees) and views of the typical buildingsinhabited by those who make theseisolated valleys their permanent home.Also provided is a chance to have asobering look at the effects caused bywildfires set in the past. This is an ideal trail section to betraveled on foot on a one-dayexcursion or a half-days journey onhorseback. Section 2 extends onward fromGuidepost 10, located at the firstcrossing over the El Azul River, untilreaching an old campsite formerlyused by drovers of cattle in what waslocally called veranadas, or summergrazing season, driving their herdsupland from the low lying portions ofthe valley every year. This section is approximately 14kilometers long and runs over a clearlydistinct and marked trail that has 15guideposts of interest. The route in thissection travels on and off along theeastern and western banks of the ElAzul River. This requires crossing themainstream six times along the way,an extraordinary experience that takesus back to the days of those whoexplored these valleys for the very firsttime on long treks on horseback in themiddle of the Twentieth Century. It is to be noted that this secondsection of the trail is where you can alsobegin to see the snow covered uplandcordilleras of the Andes Mountainsrising up to more than 2000 metersabove sea level (m a.s.l.). You can alsoview the first specimens of ñire andlenga, both species belonging to theFagaceae, or beech family of trees,primary representatives of thetemperate forests of deciduous trees(trees that shed their leaves eachwinter) that are so characteristic ofthese far southern latitudes of theSouthern Hemisphere. This is an ideal section to betraveled in leisurely fashion onhorseback, giving yourself time to takethe traditional siestada, or middayrest break and lunch (see below underSection 3), and numerous photographsof the surroundings. Section 3, the final section of thistrail, extends from Guidepost 25onward until you reach the lakeshoresof Lake Palena. It includes 10guideposts of interest featuringprimarily overlooks that affordpanoramic views and observations ofthe native flora that inhabit theAndean upland forests. This section runs overapproximately 9 kilometers of tracesthat are not always sufficiently wellmarked or visible because of the fewtravelers that take this way. Werecommend you travel this section byhorseback only due to the extenuatingeffort required to climb the upgrade inthis section. This ascent takes you across amountain chain at elevations of morethan 1300 m a.s.l. separating LakePalena from the upper watershed ofthe El Azul River. ===Ascent Segment 1==='''Ascent of the Tigre valley==='''<br>Distance: 10 km.<br>Walking Time: 3 hours.<br>Season: Year round<br> ''Horseback ride or walk through meadows on upper river terraces with regrowth stands of radal, coihue and notro trees on the eastern slopes of the El Tigre River valley. Also featured are views of homestead sites occupied in the past, observation opportunities for typical settlers buildings and native flora, and natural overlooks with vistas of the main valley and surrounding mountains.'' ''Route traveling over a distinctly visible trail on a traveled way broader than 2 meters on firm, flat, gently sloping ground, interspersed with short upgrades sloping more than 30º. Section 1 is suitable for travel on horseback, or, if walked on foot, by traveling light without carrying any extra load.''<br>
Section 1 of the trail starts at the
south end of the motor vehicle road
Remember, the typical travel times
are calculated for those who travel on
horseback.<br>
Starting at Guidepost 1, follow
the broad, clearly distinguishable trail
accompanied by ferns belonging to the
Blechnaceae family, locally called
peinetilla.<br>
The coihue is a tree that is
endemic to sub-Antarctic forests and
meters high, and its wood is resistant
to rot, making it good for use as
building material.<br>
After Guidepost 2 you will go
downhill and cross a creek. Continue
moving on. It is important for you to do
the same each time you come to a gate
along the way.<br>
Stay on the main trail and skirt
the west side of an old pioneer settler
glaciers of time past, which shaped
landforms through the action of their
large masses of glacial ice.<br>
In less than 10 minutes travel you
will arrive at an open valley in which
abundant species in the area: the musk
rose (Rosa moschata - locally known
as rosa mosqueta).<br>
The rosa mosqueta is a denizen
species that can be found on disturbed
autumn. These rose hips are used to
make jellies and jams and to extract
medicinal oil.<br>
Following the trail onward past
Guidepost 3, you will start out on a
valley. Having a look at the river will
also provide you a short rest break
before you continue on along the trail.<br>
After Guidepost 4 you will come
to an upgrade of 250 meters in length
the following guidepost in the distance,
off to the left of a large white rock in
front of you.<br>
Guidepost 5, emplaced on a
small elevation, is at a representative
livestock raising, now make it necessary
to carry out clearing and upgrading
programs to remediate these soils.<br>
Before continuing on along
your way, take a moment to
look at a beautiful settlement on the
banks of the El Tigre River off to the
west.<br>
From this point on you will go
uphill continually through land with
Upgrade), named for the fine-grained
grayish materials originated from
volcanic ash that make up these soils.<br>
To be seen at this location are
vistas of the El Tigre River and radal
trees, which along with the coihue is
one of the most abundant species in
these valleys.<br>
The radal (Lomatia hirsuta) is a
perennial tree that can grow as tall as
heating value. Finally, be particularly
careful not to light fires anywhere along
unpopulated portions of the route.<br>
You will need to continue on past
Guidepost 6 for approximately
the El Tigre runs through a large
canyon, and so areas lying off the
established path can be dangerous.<br>
Once you have resumed your journey
past Guidepost 7, you will continue
arrive at one of the most interesting
overlooks on this route, which is the
place where Guidepost 8 is located.<br>
At this overlook you can see the El
Azul River where it meets the El Tigre
River, which has its headwaters in the
valleys that extend eastward to the
Argentinean border.<br>
It is important to note that the El
Azul River valley was not explored until
that this was good for furthering the
process of bringing in settlers to this
part of Chile.<br>
Complete families moved in
shortly thereafter, and an airstrip was
was the heyday of livestock raising in
the area, a period which was to last for
no more than 40 years.<br>
After Guidepost 8 you will start
down a downgrade named Cuesta
to a farm gate on the way to a
footbridge over the El Tigre River, where
you will find Guidepost 9.<br>
Guidepost 9 is an interesting
point to take pictures of the El Tigre
rugged country on the Chilean side of
the international border with
Argentina.<br>
After leaving this beautiful footbridge,
resume your journey along the trail on
dwelling and finally reach the El Azul
River, where Guidepost 10 and the
end of Section 1 of the trail are located.<br>
Those who have made the first part of
this trek on foot should keep in mind
continue on any further beyond this
point you will definitely need to have
horses to ride on.<br> ===Fording the Azul riverSegment 2==='''Fording the Azul river'''<br>Distance: 13,64 km.<br>Walking Time: 4 hours.<br>Season: Oct-Abr<br> ''Horseback ride through meadows on lower river terraces with regrowth stands of radal, coihue, ñire and lenga trees in the background in the valley of the El Azul River. Views of homestead sites occupied in times past, observation opportunities for native flora, and natural overlooks in the upper watershed of the El Azul River.''<br> ''Route follows a distinct, marked trail on flat ground that at certain points is washed over when running over streambeds. Suitable for use only by persons on horseback who have at least a minimum amount of experience in lengthy mounted excursions over land withriver crossings.''<br>
Starting out from Guidepost 10,
cross the river a few meters
impossible to cross, even on horseback.
This can be particularly so in the
afternoon.<br>
After you arrive on the south bank
of the El Azul River, follow the edge of
equipment operated by the
inhabitants of the village themselves
for use in case of emergency.<br>
After passing Guidepost 11,
continue onward along the main trail
their houses on the upper terraces of
valleys to stay high and dry in case of
flooding on these rivers.<br>
Continuing on along the western
bank of the main river you will come
Observe the same precautions and
recommendations given above for the
first river crossing.<br>
After you have reached the
eastern bank of the river, resume a
kilometer from that guidepost until
you run across this picturesque lodging
house.<br>
When you continue your journey
onward from Guidepost 13, follow the
expanse of flat ground. This is a place
where you will need to take care to
ensure that you stay on the right path.<br>
After you go through the farm
gate, travel onward by taking the path
in the past. This is the reason why this
place is locally called Puesto Viejo (Old
Homestead Site).<br>
After Guidepost 15, follow
alongside the river and pass by a
reestablished themselves vigorously in
the period after the large forest fires
that raged in the past.<br>
At Guidepost 16 the trail forks.
Take the right fork and follow the trace
can see the first specimens of lenga
(Nothofagus pumilio) trees along the
way.<br>
The lenga is a symbolic tree of
sub-Antarctic forests, growing from
Lenga wood is of very good quality,
especially for use in building and
furniture making.<br>
After you leave Guidepost 17
behind you will start out on a gentle
virgin forests of coihue and lenga trees
in the southwestern sub-basins of the
El Azul River.<br>
After you pass Guidepost 18,
continue onward for somewhat more
Guidepost 19, which marks the way
for the third crossing over the El Azul
River.<br>
If you look closely at the opposite
bank of the river directly south of where
an old cabin that has fallen in with the
passage of time at a place beside a
willow tree and woods of lenga trees.<br>
After leaving Guidepost 20 you
will need to continue following the
reach Guidepost 21, located at the
start of the fourth crossing of the El
Azul River.<br>
To ford across the river at this
point, take a bearing on some lenga
trees located on the opposite bank as
you work your way diagonally
upstream across the river.<br>
Once you reach the opposite
bank, go on for 150 meters in a
to see a small cabin located a few
meters to the east. This place is called
Puesto Esperanza.<br>
After crossing the creek, continue
onward up the valley on a trail running
At the fence, turn to the east for a few
meters and you will find a farm gate,
which is the location of Guidepost 22.<br>
At the other side of the gate you
will enter the first mature forests of
terrace covered by a dense colony of
calafate undergrowth interspersed
with stands of quila brush.<br>
Looking to the east while on this
flatland you will be able to see a large
will see Guidepost 23, located at the
fifth and second-to-last crossing of the
El Azul River.<br>
This guidepost, besides pointing
out to you the place to ford the river,
also marks an opportunity to observe
calafate (Berberis microphylla)
growths.<br>
The calafate, a species of shrub
belonging to the Berberidaceae family
fruit, a round blue-black berry, is edible.
The medicinal uses of this shrub stem
from its laxative properties.<br>
After you cross the river, you will
once again enter the lenga forest on a
which you will skirt around further
ahead as the upper watershed of the
main river curves to the west.<br>
Numerous individuals of caiquén
(Chloephaga picta), a bird that
by their being lighter in color on their
upper parts and darker on their lower
side.<br>
Once you arrive on the south
bank of the river, continue upstream
this route prior to reaching Lake
Palena. This is Guidepost 25, the end
of the Section 2 of the trail.<br> ===Mountains of Palena LakeSegment 3==='''Mountains of Palena Lake'''<br>Distance: 9,04 km.<br>Walking Time: 3 hr. 10 min.<br>Season: Dec-Mar<br> ''Horseback ride through Andean upland meadows, marshy grasslands and forests of lenga trees in the upper watershed of the El Azul River and northwestern end of Lake Palena. Observation opportunities for native flora and natural overlooks with vistas of the main valley, surrounding mountains and Lake Palena.''<br> ''Travel over firm ground on a trail that follows a distinctly visible trace, although vanishing from sight in certain parts. Slopes are gentle to steeply inclined, with lengthy upgrades that slope more steeply than 30º. Suitable only for persons who have experience with lengthy excursions on horseback through mountains in areas exposed to high winds.''<br>
Starting at Guidepost 25, leave
the forest by traveling southward
of the main valley, turn to the east and
continue along the trail. Do not cross
the creek.<br>
Be careful to keep your bearings
upon traveling over the following
lenga trees. This is a site where you can
also observe the waterfall and
surrounding mountains.<br>
Continuing onward from
Guidepost 26, go uphill along the
you cross a small brook in the high part.
This is where you will find Guidepost
27, located beside a fence.<br>
Guidepost 27 is perhaps one of
the best vantage points for viewing the
Azul River. We recommend you make a
brief halt here before you resume your
ascent of the mountains.<br>
After you leave Guidepost 27,
continue climbing up the hillside by
a clearly distinguishable trail that
enters a mature forest of lenga trees.
This is the location of Guidepost 28.<br>
Noteworthy at Guidepost 28 is
the opportunity to observe a
damage to the host. This lichen has
antibiotic properties and was
traditionally used as a dyestuff.<br>
Moving on from Guidepost 28,
enter the forest by following a clearly
grasses devoid of trees. These wetlands
are the headwaters of the main creeks
running out of the area.<br>
Cross this gap by moving forward
around 100 meters on a bearing to the
edge. Here you will find the traces of a
trail that will take you into the forest.
This is the location of Guidepost 29.<br>
After you leave Guidepost 29,
follow the trail around 130 meters to
move into a large expanse of marshy
grasslands. This is the location for
Guidepost 30.<br>
We recommend you take a brief
rest break at this guidepost, where you
and bread or cake and sip yerba mate
while sharing pleasant conversation
around the fire.<br>
Before resuming your journey
from Guidepost 30, have a look at the
located at the start of the mountain
pass that will take you over the
mountains to Lake Palena.<br>
After leaving Guidepost 30,
continue onward for around 400
bearings on Guidepost 31 to know the
path to follow, aided by a few trail
markers placed on trees along the way.<br>
Once you are in the forest, you will
start out on a steep uphill climb over a
periglacial settings, with limited
growths of vegetation and a continual
interplay with the activity of ice.<br>
When leaving Guidepost 31
behind, go on for a few meters to the
the trail in this area, and many people
could make the mistake of traveling to
the west, which leads to nowhere.<br>
Continuing on past Guidepost
32, take a bearing of 158º using as a
one of the most spectacular lakes in all
of Patagonia, nestled in a dense forest
made up for the most part of lenga trees.<br>
In general, this site is considerably
exposed to cold winds blowing down
with windproof, thermal clothing to
prevent symptoms of hypothermia or
freezing.<br>
After you leave Guidepost 33 you
will start on the downhill trail leading to
exposure. We therefore recommend you
take the utmost of precautions and
move carefully when traveling downhill.<br>
You will need to travel around 250
meters un a south-by-southwesterly
the woods, where a clearly
distinguishable trail is located.This is the
site of Guidepost 34.<br>
Moving on from Guidepost 34,
the only part left to travel is the final
last guidepost you should dismount and
lead your horse by the bridle on foot for
your own safety.<br>
Follow at all times the most
distinctive trail because there are forks
intervals as you travel along until you
finally reach the forested lakeshores of
Lake Palena.<br>
You can spot Guidepost 35 beside the
trail at a few meters distance from the
terrace suitable for camping or to take
a well-deserved rest before you start out
on the return trip.<br>
Doubtlessly, the magic and mystery of
this little-known lake will pervade us and
this nook of the Patagonian Andes
Mountains, which surely you will find
hard to forget.<br>
==Recommendations==