The Andes - Welsh Settlements - Natural World

The great “16 October Valley”, where the Welsh settlements are located, is characteristic of the landscape of the Andes of Patagonia, with a background of blue snow-capped mountains, vast crop covered plains, native flora, and a typical breezy southern wind. The valley is beautiful during the summer but also in the other seasons. The autumn sees the mountainous slopes full of amazing colours, likewise in spring full of wild flowers. In winter, a blanket of snow allows for skiing and other Winter sports.
 
Here are some of the excursions of an adventurous nature that we include in out itineraries in the the Welsh regions of the Andes in Patagonia:

Mountain Biking - Trevelin

Trevelin is the starting point for this mountain bike ride. Soon after leaving Trevelin you will be riding along a hilly country lane called Callejon Owen Williams that leads to Refugio Wilson, an old settlement that was occupied by the Welsh at the beginning of the 20th century. Some of the ascents need a good level of fitness in order to ride up, but there will be plenty of time for those who need to push to catch up. There are panoramic views and several points of interest on the way.
 
You will reach Refugio Wilson for a lunch stop where you will see the old school and the old house that belonged to Wilson. From here, you will go on a short walk before mounting the bikes once again for the descent down to Cwm Hyfryd passing by lake Brychan on the way, and finally returning to Trevelin. You will need to bring suitable footwear and clothing for mountain biking and a small rucksack to carry your lunch.

Horse Riding - Trevelin

A full day riding the paths of Bro Hydref, Trevelin, Pentre Sydyn and Aber Gyrraints. You will see the wonderful landscapes and the characteristic wildlife of the region as you wander through sub-Antarctic forests and Patagonian steppes. In Pentre Sydyn, you will visit the historical museum that interprets the events of the 1902 plebiscite.
 
Experienced equestrians can then follow a path that ascends the Craig Goch ridge and follow in the footsteps of John Daniel Evans and the other Welsh pioneers of 1885. The colonists observed the valley and uttered the words ‘Oh what a beautiful valley!’ in Welsh and named it “Cwm Hyfryd”. Less experienced riders can return to Trevelin along more leisurely lanes.

White Water Rafting - Río Corcovado

A full day excursion travelling south through Dyffryn Oer for about 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the village of Corcovado. All the necessary equipment including helmets, neoprene suits, dry jackets and safety jackets will be provided. You will need to bring spare footwear, swimming clothes, a towel and dry clothes. You will receive safety and technical information from a professional expert who will prepare you to face the waters of Río Corcovado.
 
The journey in the raft takes about an hour and a half in clear whirling waters through high canyons. The difficulty of the stretch of water is easy to exciting, depending on the time of year and quantity of water, and is suitable for everyone above 8 years of age. Prior experience is not necessary.

Camping - Lago Bagillt Nature Reserve

Lago Bagillt Nature Reserve is located 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Trevelin, Cwm Hyfryd, beneath the Cerro Cónico mountain that forms the limit with Chile. Cerro Cónico’s glacier is the source of the transparent waters of Lago Bagillt, which lie at an altitude of over 1,000 metres (3,280 feet). You will be transported to the point where the access lane to the reserve meets the road.
 
Here you will begin the trek to Lago Bagillt, a distance of about 18 kilometres (11 miles). The trek takes about 6 hours and the first day ends with a wade across the Arroyo Bagillt stream, about 60 centimetres (2 feet) deep. Camp will be set up at the base of Cerro Cónico. The second day you will trek to a magnificent viewpoint before making an ascent to reach a ridge which will take you to Cerro Cónico glacier from where you will descend to the camp for the evening. The final day will be a trek back down the access lane.
 
The excursion is of medium difficulty and led by a professional mountain guide. You will be provided with equipment that will include tents, stoves and cooking utensils, plates, cutlery and provisions. Members of a group will carry the provided equipment between them. You will need adequate footwear for rough trekking, sleeping bags and suitable clothing. You will also need short trousers, towels and footwear suitable for wading across Arroyo Bagillt and a means of keeping your equipment dry. It is possible to camp out more or less nights as desired.

Trekking - Los Alerces National Park

Mae Parc Cenedlaethol Los Alerces ger Trevelin yn un o rai mwyaf yr Ariannin ac yn enwog am ei goedwigoedd Alerce. Ychydig o olion dynol sydd yno ac mae golygfeydd anhygoel o lynnoedd, afonydd a rhaeadrau niferus o bob maint yng nghanol mynyddoedd wedi eu gorchuddio â choedwigoedd. Cypreswydden Patagonaidd yw’r goeden Alerce gyda rhai bron 3,000 o flynyddoedd oed a thros 70 metr (230 troedfedd) o uchder.
 
Mae hwn yn gyfle rhyfeddol i fwynhau natur ar ei orau drwy ymlwybro ar hyd un o’r 20 o lwybrau cerdded sydd wedi eu harwyddo. Ar gyfer cerdded rhai o’r llwybrau bydd angen cofrestru yng nghanolfan gwybodaeth ac amgueddfa’r parc yn Villa Futalaufquen, pentref gweinyddol awdurdod y parc. Mae’r llwybrau yn amrywio o ran anhawster, uchder, hyd a’r amser a gymer i’w cerdded.

La Hoya Mountain Centre - Esquel

The mountain centre at La Hoya, at a height of 1,350 metres (4,430 feet), is located in the northern extreme of Cwm Hyfryd about 13 kilometres (8 miles) up mountain from Esquel. The mountain centre is set amidst pine forests, volcanic peaks and streams with clear waterfalls. The peaks reach a height of about 2,150 metres (7,054 feet) and there are 60 hectares (150 acres) of ski slopes, 9 ski lifts and 24 ski slopes.
 
The skiing season normally lasts from sometime in June until October. During the season, it is not only possible to partake in Alpine skiing but also snowboarding and ride snow bikes. In the summer, the activities of the mountain centre are trekking, abseiling, climbing, and traversing mountain bike trails to a height of over 1,600 metres (5,250 feet). There is a restaurant and a café available during the active seasons.