Explore the undiscovered landscapes of the Ardillas Route
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 28.51 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,428 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 2,825 ft
- Max elevation
- 2,247 ft
- TrailRank
- 30
- Min elevation
- 675 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Coordinates
- 591
- Uploaded
- July 1, 2014
- Recorded
- July 2014
near Villa Cerro Castillo, Aisén (Chile)
Viewed 532 times, downloaded 12 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Waypoints
Waypoint
0 ft
Villa Cerro Castillo
Villa Cerro Castillo is located at the base of one of the most majestic mountains of Patagonia. Each morning, villagers have the privilege of opening their doors and greeting their very own mountain with its rich green forests and enormous, snow-capped towers. Local legend says that if you stare long enough you will even be able to see the wise ancient face who watches over the town from the snow and rock.
Waypoint
1,840 ft
El Franco farm
The road continues along cascading streams, waterfalls and lenga forests for another 7.5 km until you reach the farm called El Franco, home of Oclidia Sandoval, a local settler and artisan, whose friends call Señora Tati. Here you can access the great fly-fishing waters of Laparent Lake or visit the Señora Tati along the shores of Redonda Lagoon; both are equally great places to relax and enjoy the Patagonian landscape.
River
1,104 ft
Claro River
From here, the road begins to gradually descend, following the course of the Claro River, known for its crystal clear waters. You’ll drive approximately 11 Km before reaching the intersection marking the road to the Peninsula Levican (right), and to Puerto Ibáñez (left). Continue left, until you reconnect with the same river that you crossed over at the beginning of the route, this time at the Salto del Ibañéz.
Waterfall
0 ft
Salto del Río Ibáñez
The Salto is a HUGE waterfall that plunges down over enormous boulders in three successive drops, crashing into the Ibañéz River delta near the Levican Peninsula sector of General Carrera Lake. Excellent photographs are guaranteed here, but don't forget to protect your camera from the wind and spray of the water! From here, it’s another five kilometers to reach the village of Puerto Ibáñez.
Lake
1,790 ft
Tamango Lake
The route continues, passing through deep forests, open fields, and the shorelines of several lagoons before arriving at Tamango Lake, one of the main highlights of the route, especially on a clear day. This site is perfect for fishing or a picnic and THE spot to take that panoramic you’ve been waiting for of the entire Cerro Castillo mountain range. On clear and windless days, you can even capture this impressive mountain reflected in the waters of the lake. It will be hard to tear yourself away from these views, not to mention the lakeshore! And if you just can’t, don’t worry! There are some great cabañas located right on the beach, where you can stay as long as you like, enjoying the views, testing your fishing skills, or visiting some of the private Tehuelche sites that are sprinkled throughout this sector (Lago Tamango Cabañas, www.lagotamango.com).
Lake
1,636 ft
Las Ardillas Lake
The road is narrow, steep and winding in this first stage, climbing through mature lenga forests. After 2.5 km, you will pass a traditional farm house along the right side, which marks the entrance to Las Ardillas Lake, one of the many great spots for taking photos.
Waypoint
0 ft
Puerto Ibáñez
The village of Puerto Ingeniero Ibañéz is renowned for its talented artisans who hold the secrets to working with clay from the Levican Peninsula, leather from local goat hides, and the ancient Tehuelche symbols that decorate their valleys
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