Located in the southern part of the Carretera Austral, we detail the essential things to do in Cochrane and how to get to this beautiful town.
Doing the Carretera Austral in the south of Chile is undoubtedly one of the great icons of every traveller. I did it once and it is a memory that remains forever in my mind.
One of the stops on the Carretera Austral is the town of Cochrane, where in the surrounding area you can visit various nature sites where rivers, lakes, mountains, forests and Patagonian fauna are the protagonists.
🔎 Check out our article on the must-do’s on the Carretera Austral.
Based on our experience, here are the essential things to do in Cochrane.
Table of Contents
1. Tamango National Reserve
This reserve is part of the Patagonia National Park and has a total of 10 hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty.
For us the best trails are:
- Los Carpinteros: is a 4.5 kilometres (9 kilometres round trip) and four hours long trail that starts at the entrance of the reserve, bordering the Cochrane River to reach a viewpoint on the shore of the Cochrane Lake. On the way you will see the crystal clear waters of both the river and the lake.
- Los Coigues: it is a 3,9 kilometres and two hours long trail, which borders the Cochrane Lake and where of course you can see huemules, especially in the early morning or at sunset. The trail starts at the end of the Los Carpinteros trail, so you have to walk a total of 17 kilometres there and back if you want to do both trails (about eight hours).
- A 21 kilometre circular route: in this case you start from the Los Carpinteros trail, then take the Coigues trail, Los Ciruelillos trail, Los Huemules trail, Los Ñires trail and again a part of the Los Carpinteros trail, to finish the circular route and return to the campsite. It is a medium-difficulty walk, which requires physical effort especially for the total walking time. The outward journey is along the lake and the Cochrane River and the return is inside the reserve, where there is a good chance of spotting huemul deer.
The Tamango National Reserve has a campsite where you can spend the night in tents or tents both indoors and outdoors. There are picnic tables, toilets and hot showers. Kayak and boat rentals on the Cochrane River are available at the campsite.
At the entrance to the reserve, there is an Interpretation Centre where they explain the trails to do and the level of difficulty.
Tamango Reserve is open daily from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Last possible entrance at 5 pm.
Price Patagonia National Park (2026)
To access the Tamango National Reserve you must pay the entrance fee to Patagonia National Park. They can be purchased in advance on the official website of Parques Nacionales. The prices are as follows:
- Chileans over 18 years of age: 5,200 pesos.
- Chileans between 13 and 17 years old: 3,200 pesos.
- Chileans up to 12 years old: free
- Foreigners over 18 years of age: 11,400 pesos.
- Foreigners between 13 and 17 years old: 5,700 pesos.
- Foreigners up to 12 years old: free of charge
How to get to Tamango National Reserve
There is no public transport to get there, so you have to drive down a gravel road to the car park next to the park entrance control site, or by taxi from Cochrane.
2. Cerro La Cruz viewpoint
A few metres from the village of Cochrane, you will find the ascent to the hill of La Cruz. The path is short and of low physical difficulty.
From the viewpoint you can see the town of Cochrane, with the mountains and the Patagonian forest in the background. There is also a sign with white letters of Cochrane to take a picture, in the best Hollywood style.
3. Esmeralda Lake, a things to do in Cochrane
About seven kilometres south of Cochrane, following the Carretera Austral, is the enchanting Lake Esmeralda.
The route borders the lake, so you can make a stop to contemplate this mirror of water and in the background the imposing Mount San Lorenzo, the natural border between Argentina and Chile.
4. confluence of Baker River and neff river
About 35 kilometres north of Cochrane, on the Carretera Austral, you reach the viewpoint where the Baker River meets the Neff River. There is parking for vehicles, and then a 15-minute walk along a free trail to the viewpoint.
From the viewpoint you will appreciate the light blue and emerald colours of the rivers and the strength with which the water flows.
5. Cochrane Municipal Museum
It is not one of the essential things to do in Cochrane, but it is worth it. Small and free of charge, its purpose is to recall the history of the first settlers who inhabited this region of Chile.
Through objects, photographs and archaeological pieces, it covers from the time of the Tehuelche Indians to the first settlers who settled in the Baker River area.
How to get to Cochrane
If you want to get to Cochrane by plane, the nearest airport is Balmaceda Airport, located 300 kilometres north of Cochrane.
Most travellers reach Cochrane by taking the Carretera Austral. Keep in mind that if you are coming from the north on the Carretera Austral, part of the route is on gravel road.
You can also get there from Argentina, the easiest way is to cross the Chile Chico-Los Antiguos border crossing. From this pass, it is about 180 kilometres and almost four hours to Cochrane.
The other option is the Roballos border crossing, which is less busy than the previous one and mostly gravel. Personally, I recommend doing the border crossing through Chile Chico-Los Antiguos.
Can Cochrane be reached by bus?
Yes, it can be accessed by bus from nearby towns, it only has daily frequency from Cochrane to Coyhaique.
- Buses Sao Paulo and Don Carlos make the route from Coyhaique to Cochrane, stopping in Puerto Rio Tranquilo and Villa Cerro Castillo.
- Buses Los Glaciares and Katalina make the route from Cochrane to Caleta Tortel.
- Buses Katalina runs from Cochrane to Villa O’Higgins.
Where to stay in Cochrane
If you plan to visit Cochrane, there are many hotels and lodges in the town, as well as cabins in the surrounding area. We recommend three options for where to stay in Cochrane.
- Kalfu Patagonia: flats in the centre of the village with a nice wooden decoration. Run by its owner, who prepares an excellent breakfast.
- Hotel Último Paraíso: excellent service, spacious rooms and breakfast with homemade products. Located in the centre of Cochrane.
- Cabañas Rincon del Sur: if you want a place surrounded by nature, but not so far from Cochrane, this is the place for you. Simple but with fantastic views of the surroundings.
Where to eat in Cochrane
- Cervecería Tehuelche: a bar-style place to try their exquisite craft beer accompanied by pizza.
- Rayito de Sol: on the road, before the access to the village. Run by its owners, it is a simple restaurant, but it serves traditional and delicious homemade food. Try their sopaipillas.
- Ñirrantal Patagonia Restaurant: homemade food at a good price, in a small place. You build your plate by choosing the main dish, the sauce you want to put on it and the side dish. I tried the salmon with mushroom sauce and golden potatoes – delicious!