Automne in Pumalín Park

Pumalín Park (Parque Pumalín Douglas Tompkins) is one of Chile's most significant conservation achievements — over 400,000 hectares of protected temperate rainforest, ancient alerce groves, and volcanic landscapes in the northern Aysén region. Created through the vision of American conservationist Douglas Tompkins and now a Chilean national park, it represents one of the largest private-to-public land donations in history.

Autumn, from mars through mai, reveals Pumalín at its most atmospheric. The park's dense rainforest — among the wettest ecosystems in South America — takes on a mystical quality as automne mists thread through the canopy and couleurs d'automne emerge among the predominantly evergreen forest. The deciduous understory and scattered lenga trees provide splashes of gold and amber against the deep green of coigüe, alerce, and cypress.

The park stretches along the Carretera Austral south of Chaitén, offering multiple access points and a variety of trails. The most celebrated hike leads through an ancient alerce grove where trees over 3,000 years old tower overhead. Other trails lead to waterfalls, volcanic craters, and the Termas de Cahuelmó sources thermales — natural thermal pools set in pristine forest.

mars is the most accessible month, with mild temperatures and most trails and facilities operational. avril brings cooler conditions, more rain, and moins de visiteurs, but the forest atmosphere is extraordinary. By mai, the park grows very quiet with some campings closing, but the trails and sources thermales remain accessible for prepared travelers.

The park's infrastructure — including well-maintained trails, campsites, and informational signage — reflects Tompkins' vision of accessible wilderness, making it manageable for independent travelers despite its remote location.