Puerto Blest

At the western end of the Brazo Blest arm of Lago Nahuel Huapi lies Puerto Blest, surrounded by lush Valdivian rainforest, forested mountains, and crystal-clear streams. Here, nature experiences and excursions on the water take center stage: you can explore the trails to Cascada de los Cántaros, plan a trip to Lago Frías, or explore the bay on foot. Which of these options interests you most will shape the character of your stay.

Rainforest and waterfall

A stepped trail leads through the Valdivian rainforest to Cascada de los Cántaros. The description of the trail itself makes clear that the forest is part of the experience, not just the destination. An alerce tree more than 1,500 years old can be seen along the trail to the waterfall. If you are interested in the region’s distinctive plant life, you can keep this ancient tree in mind as a specific point of reference while exploring the area.

On foot or by boat to Lago Frías

The bay can be circled on foot in about an hour, as far as Puerto Blest. Another described route connects Puerto Blest and Puerto Alegre: the six kilometers are specified as a round trip along a passable path of moderate difficulty. These details help you assess different plans: an approximate time is given for the bay, while the route to Puerto Alegre is described by its length and difficulty level. The details refer to different activities and should therefore be considered separately when planning your day.

An optional boat trip on Lago Frías also starts in Puerto Blest. First, a bus takes you three kilometers to Puerto Alegre, then you cross the lake by boat. This lets you include a trip on the water in your plans without confusing it with the walk to Puerto Alegre. Nearby Lago Frías is known for its milky green color, caused by sediment from the glaciers of Cerro Tronador. The lake’s color is a striking natural feature for anyone interested in landscapes and water.

A look at history

Puerto Blest is also connected to the history of nature conservation in Latin America. The land donated by Francisco Pascasio Moreno in the Puerto Blest area in 1903 became part of Parque Nacional del Sud in 1922, the first national park in Latin America. The establishment of the national park also makes Puerto Blest interesting to travelers who are interested in the history of nature conservation.

When choosing your destination, you can weigh your different interests: the forest landscape and the trail to the waterfall, the approximate walking time around the bay, or the combination of a bus and boat trip to Lago Frías. If you would like to explore other destinations in this overview, you can find Río Villegas, Llao Llao, Villa Mascardi, El Foyel, and San Carlos De Bariloche here.

For the wider travel overview: Departamento Bariloche.