Four Itchy Feet

March 3, 2025. Puerto Varas, Chile.

Today, we visited Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales. The park is easily accessible, with three well-maintained trails: Saltos del Río Petrohué, Los Enamorados, and Carilemu.

Saltos del Río Petrohué takes you through a series of bridges leading to stunning rapids, where millions of gallons of glacier water carve their way through the lava rocks. Los Enamorados descends to a still pond, where several viewing platforms serve as “contemplation” points, encouraging visitors to reflect in silence. We did just that, and the combination of the river’s sound, the water’s power, and the looming volcano across the way created a truly special atmosphere.

Trail Carilemu, set away from the water, loops for about half a mile through a dense rainforest. The orange Arrayán trees contrast beautifully with the lush greenery and the overgrown floor ferns, making for a scenic and serene hike.

After visiting the park, we drove to Mount Osorno Ski Resort. The drive to the ski lodge was steep but comfortable. From there, we hiked up to see how far we could ascend this dormant volcano. The trail beneath us was even but steep. As we climbed, one false summit after another, strong winds, passing rain, and occasional snowflakes convinced us that today was not the day to reach the top. We descended to Refugio Tesky Club at the base, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch.

It was a great day exploring the outskirts of Puerto Varas. There is so much to do here, and on our next visit, we’ll plan for at least 14 days to fully experience everything this beautiful region of Chile has to offer.