The park hosts diverse wildlife, including several endangered species. Notable mammals include pudú (the world's smallest deer), huemul (Andean deer), guanaco, and puma. The birdlife is particularly rich, featuring Andean condors, Magellanic woodpeckers, black-browed albatross, and various species of ducks and geese. The park's waters are home to introduced trout species, while native fish include perca and pejerrey. Various amphibians and reptiles also inhabit the park, including Darwin's frog and several endemic lizard species.
The park's most distinctive feature is its pure arrayán (Luma apiculata) forest, which is unique in the world. These trees are known for their cold-polished cinnamon-colored bark and can live up to 650 years. The forest floor is covered with native bamboo species (Chusquea culeou) and various ferns. Other notable plant species include coihue (Nothofagus dombeyi), lenga (Nothofagus pumilio), and ñire (Nothofagus antarctica). The understory contains various native shrubs and flowers, including notro (Embothrium coccineum) with its brilliant red flowers.
The park's landscape was shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in characteristic U-shaped valleys and moraine deposits. The terrain is part of the Andes mountain range, featuring ancient metamorphic and volcanic rocks. The peninsula where the famous arrayán forest grows sits on volcanic soil, which contributes to the unique growing conditions required by these trees. The area also contains numerous glacial lakes, including Lake Nahuel Huapi, which borders the park and was formed by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago.
The park was established in 1971 to protect the unique arrayán (Chilean Myrtle) forest, though the area's history dates back much further. Indigenous Mapuche people inhabited the region for centuries before European settlement. The park gained international attention when Walt Disney allegedly visited in the 1940s and was inspired by the distinctive orange-cinnamon colored arrayán trees, which some say influenced the forest scenes in the film 'Bambi'. The park was originally part of Nahuel Huapi National Park but was later designated as a separate protected area due to its unique ecological significance.
The most remarkable feature is the Ancient Arrayán Forest, accessible via a 12-kilometer round-trip trail from Villa La Angostura. The park's visitor center provides educational exhibits about the ecosystem. Lake Nahuel Huapi offers opportunities for boat tours and water activities. The historic wooden cabin known as 'Puerto Arrayán' serves as a park ranger station and provides information to visitors. The park also features several viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding Andes mountains and lakes. A unique aspect is the possibility to observe trees with trunks reaching up to 2.5 meters in diameter and heights of 15 meters.
Los Arrayanes National Park experiences a temperate climate influenced by its location in the Andean-Patagonian region. Summers (December to February) are mild with average temperatures between 15-20°C (59-68°F), while winters (June to August) are cold with temperatures ranging from 0-8°C (32-46°F). The park receives significant rainfall throughout the year, with an annual average of 1,700mm (67 inches). Snow is common during winter months, particularly at higher elevations. The best time to visit is during summer when weather conditions are most favorable for hiking and outdoor activities.
Argentina
-40.7830°, -71.7330°
1971
17.53
Los Arrayanes National Park is famous for its unique forest of centuries-old arrayán trees with distinctive cinnamon-colored bark. Located on the Quetrihué Peninsula, the park offers stunning views of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The ancient forest is believed to have inspired Walt Disney's Bambi.