Introduction

The route Cascadas Escondidas – Hidden Waterfalls in English – is one of best options for a day excursion in the Pumalín Park. Located beside a campsite known by the same name which was set up in an area badly affected by the construction of the Carretera Austral, the route allows you to enter the dense Patagonian forest which dominates the zone and then leads you to large waterfalls deep in the heart of this humid wood full of wildlife. It is difficult to imagine how a road runs through this landscape and penetrates such dense vegetation covered in ferns and lichen, with every patch of ground taken up by some sort of flora.

The Cascadas Escondidas, both the lower and upper falls, live up to their name and can be found in a hidden corner of this wood. Among the great variety of trees that you will see along the route, some of the most impressive are surely the large Alerce or Patagonian Larch trees (fitzroya cupressoides) that you will pass through, which in the past have suffered a great hit to their numbers due to their being cut down for their good quality timber. The Alerce is one of the slowest growing and longest living trees, and there are a number of trees in this forest which are a couple of thousand of years old.

Appropriate season

All year round. That said, it is advisable to take into account that the Pumalín Park is located in an extremely rainy part of Chile, so we suggest that you visit in Summer. Due to the fact that the route leads through a dense forest it is possible to complete the route on a rainy day and not end up completely soaked.

Access

This route can be accessed from the south, starting in the town of Chaitén, or from the north, from the village Caleta Gonzalo.

• From Chaitén, head north along the Carretera Austral. After passing the village of Santa Bárbara you will enter the Pumalín Park. Some 44km from Chaitén you will reach the Cascadas Escondidas campsite, where the route begins.
• From Caleta Gonzalo, head south for 14km until you reach the entrance to the Cascadas Escondidas campsite.

The buses which run from Puerto Montt to Chaitén pass right by the entrance to the campsite. We recommend that you get more information about the bus timetable and prices from the bus terminal in Puerto Montt.

Puerto Montt – Chaitén

Chaitén can be accessed from Puerto Montt in a number of different ways. The first option is to follow the Carretera Austral for 99km to the village of Hornopirén, which means crossing the estuary Estuario del Reloncaví by taking the boat, a journey which takes about 45min. From Hornopirén take the boat which departs every day to Leptepú or Vodudahue (timetables and prices can be found at Transportes Austral). This should take around 3h. From this last point where you get off the boat in Leptepú, continue along the Carretera Austral for another 10km, crossing the Huequi peninsula until you arrive at Fiordo Largo where you will need to take another boat to Caleta Gonzalo, taking 45min.

You can also reach Chaitén from Puerto Montt via the island Chiloé. From Chiloé, take a boat from Castro (note: boats only run in summer; for more information on timetables and prices go to Naviera Paredes).

Another option is to take a plane from Puerto Montt to Chaitén. More information can be found regarding timetables and prices at Aerosur.

Permits / Prices

The entrance to Pumalín Park is free.

Accommodation / Facilities

In Pumalín Park there are various sites where you can camp. The closest is right by the start of the route and is also called Cascadas Escondidas. This campsite provides areas to pitch your tent, covered eating areas and toilets. In 2015 the prices for camping were CLP$2500 (approx. US$5) daily per person.

Recommendations

• The route can be completed by both adults and children, but due to the constant humidity and slippery footbridges and wooden steps we recommend that you take care and use boots with a lot of grip.
• Close by the Cascadas Escondidas campsite there are another two routes that are worth completing if you have time: the shorter but by no means less spectacular is the Alerce route, and the longer Tronador route.
• The water from the river is potable but due to the wet and slippery ground and the river’s strong current, we recommend that you take great care if filling up with water.

Gear

• Trekking boots or high-ankle boots with good grip to avoid falling in slippery areas.

Schedule

1. Chaitén – Cascadas Escondidas- Chaitén