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Enjoy a stroll through a virgin environment from the very edge of an easy-to-access trail and live the experience the Native Forest of Chiloe and the interaction between the various species of flora and fauna that compose this wonderful natural ecosystem.


>> Where it is
 
Chepu is located in Region X of Los Lagos on the large Chiloe Island, 34 km South of Ancud on Highway South 5 to Castro City. 

>> What you must know…

As a consequence of the 1960 seism, the ground sank and left a surface area of roughly 1400 hectares of native forest immerged under the water. After that, the Chepu River and its tributaries remained at sea level characterizing the alternation of brackish and freshwater water according to the low and high tides that originated the large wetlands that exist to this day.

At present, Chiloe’s laurel forest in the north of the Chepu River can be depicted as a mosaic of forest and meadowland patches while it southern area is less tampered. Such native forests are located in hard-to-access locations, whether because they are far away or because they are in ravines or slopy land.

>> What you will discover…

Due to the need for preserving the natural heritage and unbelievable richness of the evergreen forest diversity of the Chiloe Forest in highly populated areas, we have protected a surface of 28 hectares of evergreen native forest thus allowing natural cycles of succession along with the interaction of all components of this ecologic niche (flora and fauna).

We have set and continued to open and expand a “Trail through Native Forest”, according to the standards defined and approved by Chile’s Forestry Authority (CONAF) to these purposes.

The visitor will have the chance to discover by himself the dynamics of all components of the evergreen forest of Chiloé, its interactions and site characteristics.

We try to respect the forest natural condition and mitigate as much as possible the damage that may be caused by the visitors’ passage.

Today, visiting Chepu has become a “must” both at national and international level due to the attractiveness and singularity of its landscapes with outstanding and varied flora and fauna. Visitor-focused attention has significantly grown by offering food and lodge places, guides, boat drivers, etc. helping you develop multiple activities such as river sailing (boats, motor boats, kayaks), trekking in pristine landscapes, river and sea sport fishing, penguin colonies, bird watching, watching of native endangered species, among others.

>> Flora and Fauna in the Chepu Forest
 
You will have the chance to see: Arrayán, Calafate, Ciruelillo, Canelo, Coigüe, Luma, Mañio, Maqui, Tepa, Tepú, Ulmo.

You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the flora of this natural habitat that hosts some minor species such as vines, epiphytes and parasitic plants, ferns, mosses and lichens.

 

Among the animals that you will be able to see are: Chucao (Scelorchilus rubecula), Picaflor (Sephanoides sephanoides), Pudu (Pudu puda), Darwin’s frog (Rhinoderma darwini) and Darwin’s Fox (Lycalpex fulvipes).

Accompanied with a well-trained guide, the site quietness and some luck, you may watch each one of these species.


In Chiloe, visit the Bosque Chepu Forest Trail.
 
28 hectares of evergreen native forest.

Phone numbers: (56-9) 8 351 5946 / (56-9) 6 817 7799
 
For further details, do not hesitate to contact us at senderobosquechepu@gmail.com