Pali-Aike National Park

Localization

South Chile; 37 km notheast of Punta Delgada. 196 km northwest of Punta Arenas

Access

Easy. From Punta Arenas by land through Ruta 9 Norte. In the km 45 take the road CH 225 heading to Monte Aymond border crossing, and then take the detour to Punta Delgada. From Punta remaining 37 km along a gravel road.

Characteristic

50 km²; The relief of the park is a plateau approx. 200 mt. high, with hills that do not exceed 273 mts m.s.l (Diablo hill). The park is located in the driest area of the Magellanic steppe. The park includes part of the Pali-Aike Volcanic Field with large basalt lava flows. The park draws its name from a prominent volcanic cone of a extinct volcano known as the Pali Aike Crater. The majority of its surface is covered by vast spillings of basaltic lava, determining the presence of semi desert vegetation. Various formations like volcanic cones, natural caves, craters, basaltic walls, and lava fields resemble a lunar landscape. The park is divided in two areas: a bordering one, called Escorial del Diablo (The Devil's Slagheap), covered by a thick layer of basaltic lava and ashes, it is a great tourist and scientific attraction. The other area corresponds to the biotic province of the Magellanic steppe, being the only park in the country that is a true representative of this vegetal formation. Typical ecosystems: volcanic biotopes, steppe, semidesert. Lake and wetlands in a close vicinity.

Fauna + Flora

Species List - See the Attachment Below

(Species list may not be complete)

Possible activities

Walking tourism - four short marked trails

Nature observation, sea kayak, many caves.

Note

Park is accessible all the year round.

Landscape of extraordinary beauty.

Human crania from early prehistoric occupation have been recovered from this Pali Aike Crater site (roughly 11 000 years old).