The glacier
And its waterfall.
Huincul — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Natalia Reyes Escobar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lin linao — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Contranton — CC BY-SA 4.0
A national park of dense rainforest on the Carretera Austral, best known for its Hanging Glacier: a tongue of blue ice draped over the edge of a towering mountain above a rock cliff, from which a long waterfall plunges into the valley, as if the ice were hanging in the air. Visitors walk a forest trail that starts with a swaying suspension bridge over the green Ventisquero River, then climbs among giant trees draped in mosses, ferns and plants with huge leaves to a lookout facing the glacier and waterfall. A shorter trail reaches a lake at its foot with a view of the ice. The park also has the Enchanted Forest, a short trail among twisted, moss-covered trees straight from a fairy tale, plus lakes, rivers and waterfalls along the road. Rain is heavy here most of the year and trails are muddy, so bring waterproof boots and a jacket. The Carretera Austral is long and partly unpaved, with big distances between villages, so carry enough fuel and cash.
And its waterfall.
Over the river.
Moss-draped trees.
Carretera Austral near Puyuhuapi, about 4 hours north of Coyhaique
About three to four hours there and back to the lookout, with moderate climbing in muddy forest; a shorter trail reaches the lake.