Cerro Castillo National Park, Chile

Cerro Castillo lies in the Patagonian region of Southern Chile, defi ned by its mountainous landscape and beautiful fl ora and fauna that is endemic to the region. The park is in the Aseyn Region of Chile and encompasses an area of 1,380 square kilometers. This area includes staggering mountains, hanging glaciers and glacial lagoons. At the southern boundary of the park the Ibáñez River meanders through a valley accessible by the Carretera Austral, Chile’s southern highway. Along this highway is the small historic village of Cerro Castillo. Villa Cerro Castillo has a strong local identity and is where the traditional festival called “Fiesta de las Tradiciones” occurs, which is a popular event in the Aysen region of Chile. Cerro castillo lies in the ancestral home of the Aonikenk people. The Aonikenk people traditionally lived in the Patagonia and Pampas region of Chile and Argentina. Villa Cerro Castillo is the gateway into Cerro Castillo National Park. From the town there are hiking trails that lead into the mountains, the most popular being the Travesia Las Horquetas hike. Trails venture through native lenga forests, turquoise lagoons, and views of the striking Cerro Castillo, the tallest mountain in the park at 2, 675 meters. Cerro Castillo has unique fauna, including mountain lions, Andean condor, chinque (Patagonian skunk), magellanic wood peckers and guanacos. The park prides itself on its conservation eff orts to protect the South Andean humeul deer. Currently the humeul is listed as an endangered species and there are fewer than two thousand remaining. Cerro Castillo is an important protected habitat for the huemal and is included in The Route of Parks founded by Tompkins Conservation, a team of international conservationists working in Southern Chile. The Route of Parks is a project working to create wildlife corridors throughout Chile that will benefi t the humeul deer and other important endangered native species of the region. Parque Cerro Castillo has only been designated a national park since 2018 and is managed by The National Forest Corporation of Chile (CONAF). It became a national park through a the parklands protocol signed by the Chilen government and Tompkins Conservation. This decree established fi ve new national parks in Chile, including Cerro Castillo, and expanded three existing parks. Prior to this designation, Cerro Castillo was a National Reserve. Becoming a national park has allowed for more strict conservation measures, as well as increased opportunity for eco-tourism. With the park being so new, there are still many challenges in developing adequate trails and maps for the landscape. There is hope that eco-tourism will help the economy of rural local communities in the area, although it is important for the park to ensure increased tourism remains respectful to the locals. Patagonia is increasingly becoming a popular tourist attraction for those looking for outdoor adventure. It is expected that Parque Cerro Castillo will continue to gain popularity, especially due to its proximity to the city Coyhaique, which is considered the gateway to Patagonia. With this increased eco-tourism expected, it is imperative that there is cultural appreciation for the people and environment of Southern Chile.