What to do in Futaleufú?

Futaleufú is characterized by its outdoor activities and extreme sports. It is no coincidence that, in the year 2000, the world rafting championship was held in the Futaleufú river; it is one of the 3 best in the world for this activity. It is also ideal for recreational fishing; in the Pozón de Los Reyes you can catch (and release) rainbow trout, brown trout and huge salmon. The first settlers set their home around the Espejo Lagoon, surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. Here lives a great diversity of birds, ideal for birdwatching.

For the best aerial views of the town; climb the Piedra del Águila, which sits imposingly in the heights. Lake Espolón is located next to the Sierra Teta and invites you to contemplate its almost untouched landscapes. In turn, the Espolón River, which feeds on the waters of the lake, has beaches in different points of the riverbank. From the area of “El Azul”, next to the river of the same name, one of the three main summits of the commune can be observed: the Cerro Tres Monjas, which with a good guide can be toured on horseback or on foot.

The Lonconao Lake appears with its calm waters, ideal for kayaking or sailing by boat. The Futaleufú National Reserve, located between the valleys of “Las Escalas” and the Chico River, is dressed in forests of cypresses, coigües, lengas and waterfalls; A must-see is to enjoy the view of El Cóndor viewpoint. Another highlight is the sector “El Límite” from where you can cross the river on a raft in the old fashioned way, or the sector “La Dificultad” which forty years ago you could only get to by taking a seven-hour trip on horseback and on foot, walking through the same narrow footpaths through which the “Troperos” (drovers) used to take their products to Puerto Piedra.

Futaleufú River

Declared a Tourist Interest Zone by the National Tourism Service (SERNATUR), it is known worldwide for its white waters, for its extraordinarily green landscapes and its valleys of glacial origin.

Piedra del Águila

The Piedra del Águila trail is one of the classic trails of the town of Futaleufú. Only 4.5km from the main square, it presents an excellent option for hiking while enjoying beautiful lakes such as the Pinto and the Noroeste.

You only get to know Futaleufú through its Cultural Heritage. With a local guide visit the past by contemplating the old houses, shops and streets full of history, emblematic places and key characters of the town.

Venture with a Drover on a horseback ride through the mountains, a fantastic way to learn about the pioneer routes and their Muleteers and Farm Men. Learn from their ways of life and the gaucho culture in the ranch, discover their gardens, their animals and their traditional trades such as cattle herding and animal taming, a life in harmony with nature that invites you to connect with the earth. Hear the stories of the “Big River”, listening to verses and accompanied by accordions, guitars and berets.

Leather Craftsmen, specialists in Ropes and Tamangos (traditional boots), use techniques learnt from the elders and that are still used today. The rivers for years have been an important geographical challenge for the settlers of its shores. Another way to cross them are the Walkways built by older settlers who you can still meet.

In the meadows you will find the cordillera Weavers. Learn about the techniques of shearing, spinning and dyeing wool and of the garments that they make with their looms that for years have dressed the people of Futaleufú.

Futaleufú stands out for its innovative spirit and for attracting with its charms, this does not leave behind the gastronomy that finds here some of the most original recipes. Dishes like Hare with potatoes or pasta with morchella can be tasted here. Its cuisine, as in the rest of the territory of Green Patagonia, complements the traditional resources of meats and cheeses with the use of vegetables and fruits typical of this territory.

Do not forget to share a Patagonian roasted lamb, with fried cakes, mate and wine in a boot, in the light of the “chonchones”; it is an experience that no visitor from Patagonia should miss.

Hare is a special of Futaleufú. If it is served with Morchella mushrooms All cooked with local products that are found in the valley. The morchella is picked in October and it can be kept dry.

Hare

Hare is a special of Futaleufú. If it is served with Morchella mushrooms All cooked with local products that are found in the valley. The morchella is picked in October and it can be kept dry.