Coyhaique is located east of the Andes high peaks and more specifically in the intermediate zone between the mountains and the pampa (Patagonian steppe).Toward the west, high mountain tops rise covered with glaciers and beautiful Coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi) and Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) forests that grow on their steep slopes. Toward the east the landscape becomes much softer with lower hills covered with Ñirre (Nothofagus antarctica) forests that disappear definitively when reaching the pampa.

Coyhaique in spring time- photo Patricio Silva

Coyhaique, which probably means “camp or town between two waters”, is the main city and the capital of the Aisén region and has a population of a little bit more than 43.000 people. The town is located in the heart of the region and is the entrance and exit gate for the northern and southern areas and also a transit town for visitors going to Laguna San Rafael, Queulat National Park, General Carrera Lake and Baker River...The city was founded October 12^th, 1929 in a beautiful valley at the junction of two rivers: the Coyhaique and the Simpson, at the foot hill of the Divisadero Range.  At the beginning Coyhaique provided the basic services for the first settlers and the Sociedad Industrial de Aisén, SIA, which had its administration buildings since 1906 by the Coyhaique river.  The town hall was created in 1948 and in 1974 the town becomes capital of the region.

Because of its privileged location Coyhaique is surrounded by several Protected Wilderness Areas with very easy access

Lenga forest during fall - photo Patricio Silva

Dos Lagunas Natural Monument: on the road to Coyhaique Alto, 13.5 miles from town, there are two beautiful little lakes El Toro and Escondida, in an environment ideal for outdoor recreational activities.

Trapananda National Reserve, on the road to Ñirehuao. This reserve was created in 1992 and has an area of 5691 acres. The forest here has been burned, cut down and used for cattle grazing for several years, it is a forest with extremely old trees and an almost non existent new growth.

National Reserve Río Simpson, in the Simpson river valley. It is a an wooded area of more than 80.000 acres crossed by the Simpson valley trees such as Canelos (Drimis winteri), Coigues (Nothofagus dombeyi), Lengas (Nothofagus pumilio), Ciruelillos (Embothrium coccineum), Arrrayanes (Myrceugenella appiculata), Tepas (Laurelia philippiana), Chilcos (Fucsia Magallanica) …. The name Simpson is in honour of the English Commander and excellent 19^th century sailor who did important cartographic works in the coastal area of Aisén, commissioned by the Chilean Government.

Simpson rivert - photo Patricio Silva

Río Simpson National Reserve, Cerro Huemules area. At the end of the road that goes up the Claro River there is another entrance to the Simpson National Reserve. Here it is possible to see several small herds of Huemules (Andean deers). These animals very shy in the wild, here have adapted to the presence of men.

Cerro Castillo National Reserve. This wilderness area, south of Coyhaique, was created in 1970 and has an area of more than 300.000 acres. The ruta austral crosses from north to south the Castillo range through the Ibañez pass. This range divides two of the most important hydrographic basins of the region: the Aisén river and the Ibañez river basins. The highest mountain of the range is the Cerro Castillo with 7.611 ft above sea level and the Cerro Iglesia with 5.741 ft above sea level.

Cerro Castillo - photo Patricio Silva

A few miles from Villa Cerro Castillo and from the reserve is the “Alero Las Manos” with remains from ancient people that arrived to this area 6.000 to 5.000 years ago.“Many cliffs and rock walls, called in Aisén “aleros”, can be found in the Ibañez River valley. It is a wooded valley, surrounded by high mountains, with its access somehow hidden when approaching the area from the pampa. This valley was first occupied by men in a period of time when the earth temperature was starting to descend to the averages we have today, but with drought conditions still existing in some areas. These people who had a rich tradition in cave painting and rock art, came to the area to make wood for their huts and to hunt guanacos recently born (chulengos), their skin was very valued for clothing (capes). First they probably came only in summer time, when “chulengos” were born and to avoid the heat and dryness of the pampas” (Francisco Mena CULTURAS DEL EXTREMO SUR: Donde la cordillera se hunde en el mar)

Alero Las Manos - photo Patricio Silva

Coyhaique National Reserve: located 3 miles north from town it has an area of approximately 8.700 acres. There Conaf has built 3 trails for hikes: Laguna Verde, Laguna Venus, Las Piedras.

Also in the Coyhaique area there are many lakes being the most important the following:

Lago Atravesado: 16 miles from Coyhaique. It is a narrow lake among tall mountains, sunny and well oriented, the perfect setting for photographers.

Lago Atravesado - photo Patricio Silva

Lago Elizalde: probable one of the most beautiful lakes of the region, it has 1,2 miles average width and is 15 miles long.

Lago Caro: the lake flows into Lago Elizalde, and it is possible to navigate from one lake to another.

Lago La Paloma: 30 miles south east from Coyhaique, it is a beautiful lake with very good fishing.

Lago Frío: a lake with a very abundant bird life around its shore, ducks, flamingos, geese….

Lago Pollux: an excellent place for fishing and for bird watching, only 19 miles from Coyhaique.