It is one of the essential stops to make on the North Carretera Austral. There are many things to do in Coyhaique to enjoy nature in its purest form.
Located some 660 kilometers from Puerto Montt, Coyhaique is surrounded by spectacular scenery that includes the Andes mountain range and the Northern Patagonian Ice Field.
Its environment ranges from forests with lush vegetation, rivers and streams whose water flow comes from melting glaciers and snow in high mountains, turquoise water lagoons and towering glaciers.
The best way to get to Coyahique by plane is from the Balmaceda airport, located 55 kilometers away. If you take the Carretera Austral by car, it is one of the obligatory stops to get to know the surroundings, with large supermarkets to stock up on supplies, gas stations, ATMs to stock up on cash and a large number of lodgings.
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What is the best time to visit Coyhaique on the Carretera Austral?
The best time to visit Coyhaique is between December and March, when the weather is pleasant during the day, although the temperature drops considerably at night. This is the time of the year when the landscapes of Chilean Patagonia can be fully enjoyed and the trails are open.
Keep in mind that if you go trekking in national parks, you are likely to encounter cold and windy mountain weather at any time of the year, so it is always advisable to bring winter clothing and prepared for trekking.
Based on our experience, we recommend you the must-see places you cannot miss in Coyahique and surroundings
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Coyhaique National Reserve
Ideal for a first trekking in Coyhaique of low intensity and suitable for small children and even people with disabilities in some sections (with the elderly, disabled and children under five years you can reach the green lagoon by vehicle).
The entrance to the reserve isonly two kilometers from town, you can walk there, but it is best to take a cab or Uber to the entrance gate and from there start the hike.
To enter you must make a reservation in advance at the following page. You can see the access prices on the CONAF website.
We recommend taking the Los Leñeros and Los Carreros trails from the entrance gate, which are a total of 3.5 kilometers uphill, although of low difficulty, and it takes approximately one hour to reach the Verde Lagoon. On the first trail there is a very nice viewpoint overlooking Coyhaique.
In addition, there is a trail of a little more than one kilometer that borders the lagoon. You can even have a picnic nearby as there are tables available and restrooms.
The return trip can be made by the same route as the outward journey, or a longer return trek along the Los Troperos, Los Carboneros, Los Tejueleros and Chucao trails, which in total are about seven kilometers and four hours long. The difference is that you visit more lagoons such as Los Sapos, Venus and Mallines.
What will you find in the reserve besides the lagoons? Forests of trees such as lenga, coigue and pine. In addition, woodpeckers, thrushes and condors can be observed.
We recommend that you bring warm clothing, especially waterproof, good trekking shoes and a bottle of water. The bottle can be refilled in the streams that cross the trails that provide you with pure water without contamination.
2. Cerro Castillo Park
Cerro Castillo Park is one of the great attractions to do in Coyhaique, a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers. In this area, Cerro Castillo stands out with its glaciers and lagoons, streams, lenga forests, snow-capped mountains and waterfalls. In terms of fauna and flora you will find huemules, condors and beautiful lenga forests.
For us, if you don’t have the opportunity to go to Torres del Paine, it is the closest thing you can find in terms of landscapes in Chilean Patagonia.
Until 2023 the park was under private concession, and the entrance fees to access the trails were really expensive. Currently, CONAF has taken over the national park and the price of access is expected to go down.
In terms of infrastructure, there are five campsites where you can camp with a tent. They have latrines and a kitchen area, although the services are very scarce compared to the campsites offered, for example, by Torres del Paine.
There are three trails through the park:
- Las Horquetas Trail: of medium-high difficulty, there are a total of 54 kilometers of travel if you do the entire route from the trailhead at kilometer 67 of the Carretera Austral to the exit in the town of Villa Cerro Castillo. The trail includes the mythical Castillo Lagoon with its glaciers. We only recommend them for those who are in very good physical condition and are used to trekking at high altitude.
- Laguna Castillo Trail: the most popular and accessible for people who are not used to high mountain trekking, although always with precautions. It is a total of 15 kilometers round trip, which includes 4 kilometers of gravel road from the access near the town of Villa Cerro Castillo to the trailhead. The ascent is about 1000 meters to reach the Castillo Lagoon. We recommend climbing early in the morning, taking your time at the Castillo lagoon to see the fabulous scenery, and starting the descent before four in the afternoon.
- Estero Parada Trail: the last trail has its access a few kilometers ahead of Laguna Castillo. You can go to the Porteadores camp in about three hours of walking, and even continue on the road to reach the Castillo lagoon through the Morro Negro pass at about 1700 meters above sea level. To get to Laguna Castillo we recommend the previous trail, which is easier.
Tips for visiting Cerro Castillo Park
Being a changeable mountain climate, certain precautions should be taken before entering any of the trails.
- Be attentive to the status of the trails reported by CONAF. They can often be closed due to inclement weather, even in summer.
- If you are going to trek the Las Horquetas trail, minimum 4 days, you should bring a tent.
- In all cases it is advisable to wear warm clothing that includes a first layer and a second waterproof layer. To this must be added a windbreak.
- Wear sunglasses and sunscreen because of the reflection of the snow.
- It is essential to have trekking shoes and other shoes to put on after the trekking is finished. It can be something more comfortable like sneakers.
- Trekking poles are a great help in case of snow or ice on the trails.
3. Marchant Viewpoint
On the Carretera Austral and about eight kilometers before arriving to Coyhaique we recommend a stop at this viewpoint.
From here you can see the city of Coyhaique in the distance with the background of the mountains and surrounded by a lot of green product of the forests that surround it. You can even find the letters of Coyhaique to take a picture.
There is a place to park the car at the lookout point. Beware of the wind, which tends to be very strong in this place, take a coat.
4. Simpson River National Reserve
Another option for hiking in Coyhaique is the Rio Simpson Reserve, an ideal place for family trekking due to its low difficulty. There is a very interesting Environmental Education Center for children, which explains the flora and fauna that you will find in the place.
The trail we recommend is the one that borders the Simpson River, it is a one hour hike with many descents to the river, ideal for the little ones to enjoy.
Access to the reserve is located on the Carretera Austral about 25 kilometers north of Coyhaique, on the road to Puerto Aysen. You can also reach the entrance by public transportation that connects the towns of Aysen and Coyahique.
For more information on prices in the Simpson River Reserve, please visit CONAF’s website.
5.Things to do in Coyhaique city
Despite being small, there are several activities to do in Coyhaique city.
- Rio Simpson Viewpoint: beautiful viewpoint on a wooden platform where you can see the course of the Simpson River as it passes through the city and the lush vegetation that dyes the landscape green.
- Piedra del Indio: this tall rock formation overlooks one of the banks of the Simpson River. To get there, take the street that leaves the Borde Simpson Hotel Boutique, until you reach a pedestrian bridge. From there you have the best view of the rock next to the river.
- Plaza de Armas: the main square of the city, with an octagonal construction. The square has fountains and trees characteristic of the area, in addition to being surrounded by artisan fairs.
- Monumento Al Ovejero: close to the main square and surrounded by a beautiful garden, this peculiar monument pays tribute to the work done by the rural inhabitants raising sheep under the hostile climate of Patagonia. There are several sheep representing the flock with a dog and horse guiding them and next to the rural worker.
- Regional Museum of Aysén: very modern interactive museum inside that shows the evolution of life in the region, from the first settlers to the local culture, including an exhibition of the biodiversity of the area. In addition, there is a room that recreates an old pulperia from the beginning of the 20th century. Admission is free, so it is an excellent option to go with children.
6. Excursion to the Cathedrals of Marmol
If you are not going to continue south on the Carretera Austral, Coyhaique or Balmaceda are a good option to visit the famous Marble Cathedrals on Lake General Carrera.
These caves formed by marble on the shore of the lake are majestic. The only way to get to know them is through a tour, embarking from Puerto Río Tranquilo. We have an article with a lot of information on how to visit the Marble Cathedrals.
Where to eat in Coyhaique
The options in Coyhaique are not as varied in terms of restaurants. We recommend two places we have tried where to eat in Coyhaique:
- Mamma Gaucha: although their forte is pizzas, we tried the ceviche and the octopus and it did not disappoint. Good atmosphere.
- La Esquina Tropera: modern place ideal for tasting craft beers accompanied by a picada or homemade hamburger. We recommend you to order the tasting of 4 types of beers.
Hotels in Coyhaique that we recommend
If you are looking for a place to stay in Coyhaique, we recommend two of the best lodgings in terms of quality-price ratio.
- Uruz Hostel: we chose this place to stay. Although it is not in the center of town, it is a 15-minute walk to the Plaza de Armas. Excellent cleanliness, varied breakfast and good service.
- Hotel Diego de Almagro: if you are looking for one of the highest category hotels in Coyhaique, this is highly recommended. It has a seasonal swimming pool, buffet breakfast and spacious rooms. The facilities are modern.
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