The 39,225-hectare Alerce Andino National Park of lush temperate rainforest is located one hour southeast of Puerto Montt and stretches from the Reconclavi Estuary to the south and east and the Chapo River to the north.
Alerce Andino National Park was established to protect the last stands of one of the oldest living conifer species – the alerce or lahuan (Patagonian cyprus) which can grow up to 45 metres high and four metres wide, and live for 3,000 years. It forms part of the Bosques Templados Lluviosos de los Andes Biosphere Reserve which protects a section of the Valdivian eco-region.
