The number one hike in Patagonia National Park runs from Lago Jeinemeni south to Camping Casa de Piedra. We didn’t do that one, so if you want to know more about it, back to google you go.
Instead we went further south and spent the night before our hike near Cochrane at Camping Tamango. The campground is already inside the national park located at the shore of the sensationally blue Rio Cochrane. We first paid the park entrance in person at the Tamango ranger station (8$ per person) and then proceeded to the campground. You can pay there (8$ person/night)-no reservations needed-then choose a spot on the big lawn. The campground has regular toilets and hot showers.
As for the hike, we combined a couple of treks along Rio Cochrane with the Lagunas Altas trek resulting in a fine three day affair.
Stats
We did a 48km hike with 2600m of elevation over three days. With the treks around Cochrane you can do a mix and match kind of thing.
How to get there
The Patagonia National Park is situated along the Carretera Austral, which we rode with a 4×4 rental with roof tent.
You can also get there by bus from Coyhaique. La Ruta de los Parques is generally a great resource for further information on the Chilean national parks.
The hike
Day 1 – Camping Tamango to Laguna Elefantita (17km, 1500m)
Full disclosure, camping at Laguna Elefantita is actually not allowed. But we only learned that after we had returned from the hike. It is allowed at the neighboring Laguna Cangrejo, though.
The first part of the trail runs along the shore of Rio Chochrane and then Lago Cochrane. Both have extremely clear water and their deep blue color is unlike anything we‘ve ever seen. The trail then turns left and pitches upward. You go from 180m up to 950m with the steepest bit near the very end. The terrain is not exposed or technical. The view from the top very much resembles the Greek Mediterranean sea rather than Patagonia.
Day 2 – Laguna Elefantita to Laguna Cangrejo (22km, 930m)
On our second day we basically crossed over to the Lagunas Altas trek, which is a day hike that starts at Valle Chacabuco. We did it as an out and back finishing back at Laguna Cangrejo. Also we didn‘t do the whole Lagunas Altas part, because after the third Laguna we felt like we‘d seen it.
Day 3 – Laguna Cangrejo to Camping Tamango (9km, 147m)
This hike is basically just a long downhill back to where we started from.
Conclusion
After El Chaltén, the Patagonia NP was a pleasant experience since there were a lot less people on the trails. In fact we only met one other hiker on day two and were alone at both of our camping spots. As opposed to Torres del Paine, El Chaltén or Cerro Castillo, Patagonia NP does not have that one defining photo motive, but we think that the landscapes, the clear waters, the views and the fact that you might have the trails for yourself make up for that. Also, we feel that the Tamango campground is so good, that you can cosider spending an off day there, should you be in need