Laguna Cerro Castillo: The Jewel of the Park
An intense, long hike, but one that's worth every step. That's the best way to describe this day trek to Laguna Cerro Castillo.
In Villa Cerro Castillo, where for many the adventure along the Carretera Austral begins, besides finding crafts, delicious sandwiches, and the mountain's most beautiful scenery... hidden among the peaks, at 1,400 meters, lies the lagoon.
It takes about 4 hours of climbing to reach this natural spectacle, and along the way you'll enjoy incredible views of the Ibáñez River and the valley surrounding it. It's 14.5 kilometers round trip, on a route that gets fairly steep in its final stretches but is manageable for almost everyone. It's always recommended to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated, since none is available along the route, plus something to eat to keep your energy up.
This trek is a one-day activity, and you can only start the climb up until 12 noon — after that time, you won't be able to go up.
Although the route is well marked, at Turismo Baguales we recommend that anyone who isn't a regular hiker always hire a guide, so you can climb with peace of mind and truly enjoy the activity. Plenty of sunscreen, a good hat, lots of water, and off you go!
Please always remember to pack out your trash and take care of the park's flora and fauna.
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