Pumalín Park, Natural reserve in Chaitén, Chile
Pumalín Park is a large natural reserve in Northern Patagonia containing temperate rainforests, fjords, rivers, granite cliffs, glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and lakes. The terrain ranges from coastal areas to high mountain zones with canyons, valleys, and diverse ecosystems throughout.
Douglas Tompkins, an environmentalist and businessman, began purchasing land in the Reñihue River Valley from 1991 to protect the Valdivian temperate rainforest from industrial development. His conservation efforts formed the foundation of this protected area and led to its expansion over time.
The name comes from the Huilliche language, where 'Pu' means place and 'malín' refers to marshland or flooded terrain. Local people and visitors recognize this connection to the region's waterways and low-lying areas.
Visitors can reach the park by bus and ferry from Puerto Montt, with seven designated campsites offering overnight facilities. The best season for exploring is November through March, when weather conditions are more stable and trails are easier to access.
The park protects roughly one quarter of Chile's remaining ancient alerce trees, which number among the longest-living tree species on Earth. These ancient trees can survive several thousand years and are increasingly rare, found now only in a few protected regions.
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