The trail that connects Cochamó with Paso León was built more than a century ago. Hundreds of herds of cattle, fattened in Argentina and sadly destined for the slaughterhouse located in Cochamó and other population centers, traveled along it. There was a telegraph at the beginning of the 20th century and it is said that even a cart pulled by oxen could travel along its sections of mud and streams over wood-planks and bridges. Currently, the movement of livestock is minimal and has been replaced by hikers, climbers and nature lovers attracted by the natural beauty of the Cochamó Valley.
Some of the original trail has been modified by falling trees, erosion and other causes. In much of the original trail, you can experience the erosion that the passage of animals combined with the rainy climate of the area and the soft ground caused. In the last decade and the growing amount of the valley's tourism, more improvements have been made to the trail with the installation of planks, bridges and signage.
It is still, however, a very rustic trail, with lots of mud, roots, rocks and logs. In many sections it is very narrow and shared by tourists and the pilcheros (pack horses), an activity that maintains the local culture of the man on horseback. Horses always have the right of way. It is necessary to move away from the trail at least one meter so as not to scare them.
If you still haven't read, check out in detail What to Know Before You Go.
Register in the Visitor Center. All visitors must register at the Visitor Center a few meters from the trailhead and show a confirmed camping reservation.
If you want to hike during the day it is also necessary to register and there are time limits to start the hike in order to go and return with daylight. Check out La Junta In A Day.
The trail officially begins at the end of the road, passing a wooden bridge, a gate and a sign that says "El Morro". From here it continues for 40 minutes to 1 hour to the Piedras River.
Most of the trail's climbs are in the first half of the trail. After passing the Piedra River with mixed rock and dirt terrain. It then goes through another steep rocky and wooded section where some small streams are crossed. After a good uphill stretch, one arrives at what we call "El descansadero", a flat and inviting area to rest and with a view of a waterfall on the other side of the Cochamó River.
From here the trail descends through a narrow, muddy and eroded section, and in just a few minutes you arrive to "Paso de la Muerte", a narrow and exposed section from where you can hear and see far below the rushing Cochamó River crashing and passing between huge rocks that protrude through its waters. From here the trail continues along the Cochamó River for about 20 minutes until the next section begins.
There are no steep, continuous up-hill sections, but there are moderate climbs and descents, and several stream crossings. As flat terrain abounds, mud and water accumulates when it rains and leaves pools of mud for long periods of time that are difficult to avoid. Kilometers of logs cover the ground to support the passage of horses and cattle.
Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours of hiking you will reach a pampa located to the right of the trail from where you can appreciate the first views of the granite walls. After resting in this beautiful pampa, there are 40 minutes to 1.5 hours of the same type of terrain to reach the campsites.
The first campsite you come to is Los Manzanos. If you have a reservation with them, cross the Cochamó River with their cable car as the campsite is located on the south bank of the river. If you have a reservation at another campsite, continue up the main trail.
After about 15 minutes the forest opens up to give way to a fenced section on both sides of the trail. Here you are close, 20 to 30 minutes to go. The next car you will find to cross the river is Campo Aventura. If this is not your campsite yet, continue on the main trail.
The trail continues away from the river and towards the hill until it reaches some pampas and a narrow corridor with a fence on both sides.
This is an area inhabited by settlers, some of whom do not work with tourism and want a certain amount of privacy. There are also some protected areas and corrals with animals where tourism is not allowed. DO NOT open gates that say "No Pasar" and leave the other gates closed once you pass through. Not respecting the signs and leaving gates open has been the cause of access closures. Please respect the locals who live in the valley and the care of the site.
To the left of the fence you'll find Camping Trawen and to the right the Camping La Junta. Both have access at the end of the fence just at the Cochamó River. If you are heading to the camping Vista Hermosa, which is located on the south side of the Cochamó River, continue to the river and cross using the cable car.
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