Argentina's most spectacular non-Andean national park: a chain of glacial lakes (Futalaufquen, Verde, Menendez, Rivadavia) connected by rivers, ringed by Andean foothills, and protecting one of the last great stands of alerce — the Patagonian cypress (Fitzroya cupressoides) — second only to bristlecone pines for longevity. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2017.
The classic visit is a full-day boat trip up Lake Menendez to a short forest walk that ends at the giant Alerce Abuelo, the park's 2,600-year-old patriarch. Other walks lead to viewpoints over Lake Verde or to the Cascada Irigoyen waterfall; fly fishing on the lakes and the Rivadavia and Arrayanes rivers is some of the best in Patagonia. Park entrance is at Villa Futalaufquen, about 50km west of Esquel; a stay at one of the small lodges inside the park makes the trip considerably easier.