Palena: City Views and Routes to Lago Palena

Palena brings together the Río Palena, public squares in town and a special route to Lago Palena. Near Palena, the river is suitable for sport fishing; from Cerro La Virgen, you can enjoy panoramic views of the town. If you are considering an excursion to the Reserva Nacional Lago Palena, you should also take into account two very different sections: a gravel road and a subsequent trail suitable only for horses. So, when looking for a holiday rental in Palena, an important question is whether your travel plans include the town itself or also an excursion towards Lago Palena.

Squares, City Views and a Planned Walking Route

The town’s five main public squares or gathering areas include Plaza Estero Culebra, Plaza Central, Plaza Pedro Montt and Parque Cerro La Virgen. From Cerro La Virgen, you can see panoramic views of the town of Palena. Alongside its connections to the river and nature, the town also offers public spaces that are part of experiencing Palena itself.

The Circuito Peatonal Histórico de Palena is a planned project. It is intended to allow pedestrians to walk through the town. The plan includes public spaces for connecting, spending time, viewing and recreation along the circuit and in the squares located along it. If you are interested in the town’s history and taking a walk, you can keep this plan in mind as an idea for Palena; however, because it is planned, the Circuito should not be treated as a route that is already available.

Río Palena and an Excursion to the Lake

The Río Palena is navigable from Palena to its mouth at the sea near Raúl Marín Balmaceda. It is also suitable for sport fishing near Palena. These two aspects give the river different significance for a trip: it is both a destination for anglers and a river with a navigable stretch reaching the coast. So, if you are particularly interested in river landscapes or sport fishing, Palena offers a different focus from a stay centred mainly on the squares and city views.

Access to the Reserva Nacional Lago Palena begins in the town. First, the access road runs for about 20 km along a gravel road to the Valle California sector. From there, a trail runs for about 25 km in total to Lago Palena; this trail is suitable only for horses. Take this restriction into account if Lago Palena is an important part of your trip.

Getting Around and Finding Your Way in Palena

The streets with particularly high pedestrian traffic and use include Calle L. Risopatrón and Calle P. Montt. Another specific place to visit in town is the Oficina de Turismo of the Municipality of Palena: it prepares tourist information for visitors and helps with its preparation. The office is located at the corner of Bernardo O’Higgins and Diego Portales in Palena.

At the Transporte Río Palena office, Pedro Montt N° 853, you can buy bus tickets to Chaitén and ferry tickets for Naviera Austral. The listed phone number is +56 65 2 741319. Palena’s airfield has no scheduled flights; private flights from Puerto Montt can be arranged.

More Places

Hualaihué: Hualaihué, Futaleufú: Futaleufú, Chaitén: Chaitén.

For the broader travel overview: Provincia Palena.