Pasarela del Río Azul is a natural swimming area with opportunities to relax by the water and trekking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. It is the closer of two suspension bridges over the Río Azul to the town center of Lago Puelo. The suspension bridge may only be used on foot or by bicycle; its maximum capacity is eight people.
Lago Puelo brings together Andean-Patagonian forests, rivers, mountains and the lake that gives the town its name. The town can be reached from both the north and the south via the fully paved Ruta Nacional 40.
Trails between lanes and forest
The Sendero de los Antiguos Pobladores runs for almost one kilometer between the lanes El Cóndor and Cauken. El Cóndor was formerly called Callejón de Moya or La Lydia; Cauken was formerly known as Callejón de Graciano. The trail is designated as historical, cultural and natural heritage, as well as a cultural landscape.
The Circuito El Faldeo-El Chucao passes through a mixed forest of cypress and coihue trees. The full route is approximately 3,800 meters long; the El Chucao section measures 1,200 meters. Check the difficulty and trail conditions before setting out.
Forest trails with different time requirements
The difficulty level at the Jardín botánico is low. Sights include a forest of native trees, old poplars, and oak and maple trees planted by former residents. There are wooden boardwalks through a flooded section. You can allow about one to one and a half hours for your visit.
The Bosque de las sombras has wooden boardwalks through a flooded forest and is also low in difficulty. The visit takes about 30 minutes, making it considerably shorter than the time needed at the Jardín botánico. Take care when walking in wet weather.
History and crafts
The Museo Memoria del Bosque presents the Indigenous past of Lago Puelo and the pioneer era through tools and ways of life. The town's local identity includes an Indigenous history dating back more than 8,000 years. Settlers and migrants arrived later, mainly from Chile.
The Lago Puelo artisan fair collective brings together craftspeople and crafts from the Andean region and aims to promote handmade work. The fields represented include ceramics, alpaca and silver jewelry, glasswork, weaving and leatherwork, and musical instruments.
More nature activities and regional products
Guided horseback rides are offered in and around Parque Nacional Lago Puelo. They range in duration from one hour to a full day—a much wider time range than the approximately 30-minute visit to the Bosque de las sombras.
Lago Puelo's regional products include chocolate, ice cream and craft beer. The wide range of tourist services also includes accommodations, dining, excursions and other services.
Discover more destinations: Leleque, Gualjaina, Epuyén, Golondrinas, El Maitén, Hoyo De Epuyén.
Go to the main travel overview: Departamento Cushamen.
