Cerro La Calle Aerial view of the plateau Pinturas river canyon Austral Vizcacha Aerial view of the Jeinimeni
canyon Austral Vizcacha
LA ASCENSION PORTAL
Former sheep-station “Estancia La Ascen-
sión” connects the shores of Patagonia´s
largest lake with the high “Lago Buenos
Aires volcanic plateau”. Founded in 1911,
the historic buildings of the ranch were
witness to important events in the early
years of the pioneers.
The lands of La Ascensión stand out
for their grasslands, meadows and native
shrubs in healthy condition. They pro-
vide a good sample of Patagonian steppe
environments at different altitudes. All of
La Ascensión
PATAGONIA PARK BINATIONAL CIRCUIT
A rugged and pristine area straddling the
border of southern Argentina and Chile is
becoming a flagship transboundary park
thanks to conservation initiatives for the
creation and expansion of National Parks.
Parque Nacional Patagonia (Argentina)
was created in 2015 with the initiative
of non-governmental organization Aves
Argentinas to protect the critically endan-
gered Hooded Grebe. It is in the process of
being expanded with properties purchased
by Fundación Flora y Fauna Argentina.
Across the border existing reserves are being
up-graded and expanded with land dona-
tions from Conservación Patagónica to
become Parque Nacional Patagonia (Chile).
Aerial view of the Jeinimeni Portal
Patagonia´s native mammals are found
in La Ascensión while its lagoons attract
numerous species of birds, making the
area a magnet for wildlife photography
and birdwatching.
A network of trails connects the prop-
erty´s highlights from the lakeshore to the
lagoons on the high plateau where the elu-
sive Hooded Grebe is sometimes seen. In
La Ascensión striking geology and rich cul-
tural heritage combine with breathtaking
views of the Andes and the endless steppe.
Native species, some of them endangered
like the Hooded Grebe and Huemul Deer,
or little known like the Mountain Viscacha,
are found in a contrasting landscape of
dramatic scenic beauty. Rich in biodiver-
sity, stunning in its geology and unique
in its cultural heritage, the Patagonia Park
Binational Circuit epitomizes the spirit,
solitude and wild character of Patagonia.
Follow native American ancient trails
and pioneer tracks from Cueva de las
Manos to Rio Baker, from the steppe to
the forest, through glacial and volcanic
landscapes, to the shores of Patagonia´s
biggest lake in an unrivalled tour of ex-
ploration across the heart of Patagonia.
Trekking in Jeinimeni
PINTURAS PORTAL
Patagonia´s archaeological landmark and
UNESCO World Heritage site “Cueva de las
Manos” is the gateway to the canyons along
the Pinturas River. A maze of spires and
cliffs of dramatic colors are found in deep
depressions incised during the glaciations.
Over 9000 years ago the first hunter
gatherers in the area depicted hunting scenes,
geometric figures and hundreds of hands
superimposed on each other. The rock art
found in Cueva de las Manos portrays a
staggering record of human habitation from
the end of the last ice age to the present.
Cueva de las Manos paintings
Hooded Grebe spotting
PETROGLIFOS PORTAL
At the southern edge of the vast volcanic
plateau known as “Meseta Lago Buenos
Aires” lies the Biological Station where
scientists and field workers carry out re-
search on the critically endangered Hooded
Grebe and several other species in the area.
The wardens double as stewards, together
with Park Rangers, to anyone entering the
southern part of the plateau.
Petroglyphs, stone-rings and archae-
ological sites in the unforgiving environ-
ment of the plateau provide an enigmatic
contrast with Cueva de las Manos.
Hooded Grebe
Chacabuco Valley
Trails in the area take you through the his-
toric “Estancia Alto Rio Pinturas”, known
these days as “Puesto de Piedra”, across a
footbridge to the northern side of the can-
yon, and into the dry “Cañadón Caracoles”,
providing endless possibilities to modern
explorers. The little known mountain vis-
cacha can also be spotted on the vertical
walls of the canyons.
The Pinturas Portal encompasses trea-
sured cultural and natural heritage in one
of the most striking landscapes of the Pa-
tagonian steppe.
Ghio River
PASO ROBALLOS PORTAL
The historic crossroads at Paso Roballos are
a strategic and attractive location connect-
ing Chile with the mythical Route 40 to
the east, Los Antiguos to the north via a
high scenic route, and Lago Posadas to the
south. Fantastic peaks of volcanic origin
guard the area and its secrets.
This wild, colorful, and mysterious cor-
ner of Patagonia surprises travelers at every
turn of the road.
Zeballos Volcanic Complex
Confluence of Baker and Chacabuco
JEINIMENI PORTAL
A road south from Chile Chico follows
the border with Argentina, providing
access to contrasting landscapes. At the
Jeinimeni Portal, a trail leads up a valley
where an obelisk of rock named “Piedra
Enclavada” and a barren moonscape aptly
named “Valle de la Luna” lead to a high
Cave with painted hands overlooking
the canyon of “Arroyo Pedregoso”. This
remote archaeological site with breath-
taking views of the lake and the volcanic
plateau surprises the few hardy hikers
who reach it.
Forest on the shores of Jeinimeni Lake
Casa de Piedra Campground
CASA DE PIEDRA PORTAL
An old house made of stone gives the area
its name. It is now a renovated construction
providing services to a carefully designed
campground reached by a solidly built foot-
bridge across the Chacabuco River.
Casa de Piedra is the trail-head to the
valley of the Aviles River, offering a short
hike across its gorge on a foot-bridge or
several days of exploration into the forested
heart of Patagonia Park.
Avilés Trail
Deeper into the Jeinimeni valley the road
is engulfed by the forest and a mountain
environment is reached. The road ends
where the river flows out of Jeinimeni Lake
and a campground with shelters is located.
From this point trails lead up a mountain
for great views or skirt the lake to the heart
of the Jeinimeni Nature Reserve, soon to
become Patagonia National Park.
Untrodden forests and river crossings
await those who venture past Lago Verde
and across untamed wilderness to the Casa
de Piedra Portal in a hike of several days.
Tamango Reserve
TAMANGO PORTAL
At the southwestern corner of Patagonia
Park, near the town of Cochrane, the Ta-
mango Nature Reserve is the likeliest place
to spot the endangered huemul deer.
From the shores of the Cochrane River,
a number of trails climb northwards offer-
ing views of the Cochrane Lake extending
across the border to Lago Posadas. A longer
hike connects the Tamango area with Valle
Chacabuco.
Huemul Deer
VALLE CHACABUCO PORTAL
The portal is located where the former Valle
Chacabuco sheep station stood. Nowadays
it is the Administrative Center of Pata-
gonia Park Chile. New buildings of high
aesthetic quality house the Visitor´s Center,
lodge and restaurant among other facilities.
The “West Winds” campground nearby is
attuned in style and quality with all the
infrastructure of the Park.
Several trails in the area, in the magnifi-
cent surroundings afforded by the transition
from steppe to forest, beckon wanderers
wishing to stay several days. A footbridge
Parque Nacional Patagonia Chile administrative headquarters
PATAGONIA PARK
BINATIONAL CIRCUIT
ARGENTINA– CHILE
across a gorge of the Chacabuco River, a trail
southwards to Cochrane, or a descent to the
mighty Baker River can be undertaken just
minutes away from the Visitor´s Center.
Valle Chacabuco is especially beautiful
in fall when the forest on the slopes turns
yellow, red and ochre. Whether camping or
in the exquisite comforts of the Lodge, this
place is an ideal stop-over while touring
the Patagonia Park Binational Circuit; it
is also a lesson on how the bold vision of
Kris and Doug Tompkins crystallized in
this flagship Park.
 PATAGONIA PARK BINATIONAL CIRCUIT
Río Fenix
Grande

40
Lago General Carrera 45
Río Avellano
Lago Buenos Aires
43

Laguna Verde
Río Fenix
Río Chico
Muller 265 La Ascensión Portal
43
Blanco
(1924 m) Paso Río Avilés Cerro
Las Llaves La Calle

Pico Sur X-754

El Ventisquero (2122 m)
(2110 m) Río Los Estancia La
Las Parvas 7 Antiguos Ascensión
(1712 m)

Lago Jeinimeni Jeinimeni Portal

Laguna
La Colorada Laguna
National Reserve del Paje
Sendero
Fósiles
Overo
Lago Águila
41 (1791 m)
Laguna
Kristine Verde (2045 m) Acollaradas
(2368 m)
Río Las Lago Río El
Horquetas Zeballos
Jeinimeni
Future Zeballos
Laguna del Sello
Patagonia Laguna Toldería
ARG ENTI NA
Lago National Park Río

Bertrand CH I LE Guisoca
Triangular Sur
Estancia
Los Toldos
(2588 m) Volcán Grande
Laguna
7 Río
Casa de Piedra Portal Portezuelo Zeballos Zeballos
(1571 m) Pinturas
Plomo (1490 m)
(2743 m) 40
Cañadón
Patagonia Laguna Honda
Río Pinturas
Ruta Escénica
Río Baker Lago National Park Cueva de
Valle Chacabuco Portal Gutiérrez Lápiz las Manos
Confluencia Ríos
Baker y Nef Patagonia Park X-83
Baker
(1919 m) Laguna
Las Acollaradas Cañadón
(2230 m)
(Valle Chacabuco) Río Colmillo Río Caracoles
Correntoso Río Ecker
Chacabuco (1180 m)
Confluencia Ríos
Baker y Chacabuco
Tamango Río Ghio

National Reserve Lago Columna 41 Río Pinturas Portal

Lago
Río
Río Tamango Portal Cochrane Paso Roballos Portal Columna
Baker
Petroglifos Portal Poivre
(1025 m)

Lago
Ghio
Laguna Lago
del Diablo Pueyrredón
Lago Lago
Juncal Esmeralda 97
Lago
Brown Garganta
Río Oro Istmo Río 39
SCENIC ROADS Río
Blanco

Oro
Provincial Route N° 41 (Argentina): south from Los Lago
Salitroso Laguna
Antiguos the road known as “Camino del Zeballos” Lago de los Cisnes
Posadas
climbs over a mountain pass in a fantastic volcanic
40
landscape.
39
Provincial Route 43 (Argentina) and Route 265
(Chile) complement each other along the spectacular San Lorenzo o Cochrane Cerro de los Indios
(3706 m) Río Tarde
southern shore of Patagonia´s biggest lake
Route X-83 (Chile) connects Rio Baker with Paso
Roballos along the Chacabuco Valley Binational Park Project
Actual portal International boundary
Route 7 (Chile): it is the main road in Chilean Patago- Pacific
Ocean
nia (known as the “Carretera Austral”). A short but Patagonia Nat. Park, Arg. Jeinimeni Nat. Reserve Tourist circuit
spectacular stretch which follows the Baker River Future portal
between Puerto Bertrand and Cochrane. Future Patagonia Nat. Park, Arg. Tamango Nat. Reserve Paved road
Point of interest Atlantic
Route X-753 (Chile) follows the course of the Jeini- Road Ocean
meni River south of Chile Chico reaching a turquoise Future Patagonia Nat. Park, Chile Meseta Lago Bs. As.
Border crossing Dirt road
lake surrounded by forests.

LANDSCAPES OF PATAGONIA PARK  A unique and diverse geography make for striking scenery in Patagonia Park

PLATEAUX CANYONS RIVERS LAKES STEPPE AND FOREST VOLCANISM MOUNTAINS

The high volcanic plateau named Massive torrents of water incised The Baker River, Chile´s mightiest, Patagonia´s biggest lake (Lago The marked precipitation gradi- Volcanism has been a major force AND GLACIERS
“Meseta Lago Buenos Aires” domi- deep gorges and canyons during carries most of the region´s water Buenos Aires – General Carre- ent, or rain-shadow effect of the in the creation of the landscape in High mountains and their glaciers
nates the landscape on the Argen- the glaciations. Some are dry like to the Pacific Ocean. Meltwater ra) straddles the border to the mountains, in Patagonia Park Patagonia Park. The walls of the are the backdrop of all landscapes
tinian side of the circuit. It is an “Cañadón Caracoles”, others drain from the heights of the plateau north of Patagonia Park. Another gives visitors the opportunity canyons in the Pinturas valley are in Patagonia Park. The isolated
island of biodiversity, a source of a vast area through the Pinturas supplies the vital element to the glacial lake shared by both coun- to witness the transition from made of volcanic material depos- giant San Lorenzo towers to the
water for the dry steppe, and the River and its tributaries. The cliffs arid steppe via springs and small tries (Lago Pueyrredón – Co- the arid steppe to the evergreen ited in Jurassic times when South south while San Valentin can
mythical center of creation in lo- and caves provided shelter for rivers like the Pinturas. chrane) lies to the south of the forest. Changing conditions and America and Africa split away. be seen in good weather rising
cal folklore. Its lagoons, surround- Native Americans for ten thou- park. Dazzling smaller lakes hide the adaptation of plants make Lava fields and volcanic cones on above the North Patagonia Ice-
ed by enigmatic engravings on the sand years and are now a fasci- in the forest (Lago Jeinimeni) or for a contrasting and diverse the plateau date back to the Pleis- cap. The Zeballos Volcanic Com-
rocks, are the breeding place for nating environment for modern make a colorful contrast in the environment. tocene. Ashes from the explosive plex crowns the plateau.
the endangered Hooded Grebe. explorers. steppe (Lagos Columna, Ghio, 1991 Hudson eruption can be seen
and Posadas). in the area and are a reminder of
the powers of nature.
Photography: Weston Boyles, Hernán Casañas, Jorge Cazenave, Pablo Díaz, Florian von der Fecht, Chantal Henderson, Pablo Hernández, Harvey Locke,
Maps For Good, Ricardo Negro, Darío Podestá, Hernán Povedano, Andrés Stubelt, Guido Vittone, Antonio Vizcaíno, Linde Waidhofer