South entrance of the Los Alerces National Park with the Welsh Route
South entrance of the Los Alerces National Park with the Welsh Route
This excursion combines the history of the 16 de Octubre Valley with a visit to the largest engineering work in the region, all in one tour.
Time of year | All year |
Maximum Pax | 23 |
Duration | Full day |
Transfer | Includes transfer from your accommodation in Esquel and meeting point in Trevelin |
Includes | Guide, insurance Entrances to Nant y Fall Waterfalls, Nant y Fall Vineyards and Flour Mill |
Recommendations
In all seasons of the year it is suggested to wear comfortable shoes (sneakers), comfortable clothing, and layered coats.
In summer/spring bring sunscreen, repellent, cap, preferably light clothing, personal bottle of water,
In autumn/winter, wear a hat, a neck warmer, gloves, warm shoes and extra socks.
Clarifications
The tour is done by vehicle, and at each attraction visited, there are easy, guided trails.
Welsh Route excursions do not include a visit to the Welsh teahouses. If you'd like to visit them, you can be dropped off in Trevelin at the end of the excursion. Return to your accommodations is at your own expense.
During the Tulip (October) and Peony (December) season, the visit and entry to the Tulip Field and/or Peony Field is included depending on the date.
Description of the excursion
Departing from Esquel, we head first to the South Gate of Los Alerces National Park, where we'll find the Futaleufú Hydroelectric Complex, attractive for its design, engineering feat, and the remarkable construction. The tour follows a circular route, returning to the starting point.
There we will visit the Amutui Quimey Reservoir, the General San Martin Dam, the Balancing Chimney, the machine sector, and the Pipe Bridge. We will take a walk in the pools area.
All the hikes on this excursion are of low difficulty. One starts at the Los Tambor waterfalls, approximately 100 meters long. The other trail is the Cauce Viejo trail, which is accessed from the Los Pozos viewpoint. It skirts a small stream in the middle of the forest and reaches the former bed of the Futaleufú River.
In the afternoon we continue along Route 259 to explore the Nant y Fall Waterfalls area, a Protected Natural Area with three waterfalls called Larga, Mellizas, and La Petiza. These waterfalls are covered along a low-difficulty trail, accessible to people of all ages and physical conditions.
Continuing toward Chile, we come to the Nant Fach Mill, a replica of the old flour mills from the early 20th century, when this valley produced high-quality wheat. We'll visit the museum, where you can see artifacts that were part of the daily life of the early Welsh.
At the end of the tour, we will visit the Nant y Fall Vineyards, a family business that has managed to produce high-quality wines, being the pioneers in the Trevelin Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rained out?
The excursion is not cancelled due to rain. If, during the excursion, the vehicle is unable to access any of the aforementioned attractions due to road conditions. It is important to bear in mind that some sections are clay-covered and uphill. The guide may choose another nearby attraction to visit that is easily accessible.
It is suggested that in case of rain, you bring a change of shoes or extra socks, due to the wetness and mud that can be found on the trails.
How can I return from Trevelin to Esquel if I'm staying for the Gales Tea?
The Jacobsen Transport is an intercity service that connects Esquel with Trevelin and vice versa. It has intermediate stops in the town of El Molino, along San Martin Avenue, and continues to Esquel, where it also has intermediate stops on Alvear Avenue, terminating at the Esquel Bus Terminal.
