How to visit the Petrohue Waterfalls from Puerto Varas

The Petrohue Waterfalls (Saltos del Petrohué) are green and blue falls on the Petrohue River, near its source at Lake Todos los Santos, with Osorno Volcano behind them. This guide covers tickets, opening hours and how to get there from Puerto Varas. Our base is on the way, at Route 225 km 44, Ensenada.

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Closed by CONAF since 30 September 2026 for maintenance, until further notice.

Quick factsUpdated 14 October 2026

Where: Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Los Lagos Region (CONAF)
Getting there: ~55 km from Puerto Varas on Route 225-CH, by car or bus
Hours: Dec–Mar 9:00 am–6:00 pm (last entry 5:30 pm); Mar–Nov 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Entry: From CLP 2,800 at pasesparques.cl
Pets: Not allowed

Two hikers with poles on volcanic sand, with a lake and mountains behind

Petrohue Falls in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

The Petrohue Waterfalls are inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, in the Los Lagos Region. It is the oldest national park in Chile: it was created in 1926 and is run by CONAF, the national forest service. The park borders Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina, and together they form one of the largest protected wild areas in South America. The falls are its most visited spot, right beside the road from Ensenada to Petrohué.

Cascades over lava from Osorno Volcano

The Petrohue River rises from Lake Todos los Santos and, soon after, drops in a series of falls over basalt lava from Osorno Volcano. The black rock squeezes the river and creates the falls. The water is green and blue most of the year and turns cloudy with the snowmelt. From the walkways, Osorno Volcano stands in the background.

Why this stretch of the river isn't navigable

Commercial trips on the upper Petrohue are prohibited because of the falls, which cannot be navigated. That is why river activities do not take place here: they start further down, on the lower Petrohue, with 8 km of class III rapids.

Petrohue Waterfalls entry fee and tickets

Tickets to the Petrohue Waterfalls cost from CLP 2,800, and the fee depends on age and nationality. Tickets are digital and are sold on CONAF's official site, pasesparques.cl. Buy them before you leave, because phone signal can drop on the road. In 2026, Chilean residents pay CLP 3,900 (adults) and CLP 2,800 (ages 13 to 17), and foreign visitors CLP 8,200 and CLP 4,500.

Opening hours and current status

Opening hours change with the season. They open every day from 9 am and close between 5 pm and 6 pm, depending on the season. Hours can change with the weather, and CONAF may close the area for maintenance or when the river runs high: check the notice at the top of this guide before you travel. To confirm on the day of your visit, call the CONAF office in Ensenada: +56 65 221 2036.

Getting there from Puerto Varas

By car on Route 225 (Ruta 225) via Ensenada

From Puerto Varas it is about 55 km on Route 225-CH, along Lake Llanquihue, with the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes on the way. At km 44 you pass Ensenada, where our base is, and the road continues toward Petrohué. By car it is about 50 minutes; in summer and on weekends, allow 10 to 15 minutes more. It is 9 km from our base.

By bus from Puerto Varas and Ensenada

You can also get there by bus: Buses JM runs to Petrohué and Buses Interlagos links Ensenada with Petrohué. Both pass the entrance to the falls. Minibuses leave from the corner of San Bernardo and Walker Martínez in Puerto Varas.

Transfers from Ensenada

For groups of 12 or more we run transfers from Ensenada, booked in advance. Groups can also do a trip with a boat ride across Lake Todos los Santos and a trek at Rincón del Osorno, with an optional stop at the falls; the entrance fee is not included.

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A waterfall at the Petrohue Falls below Osorno Volcano

What to see around the falls

You visit on foot, along trails and walkways that start at the entrance.

Trails and how long to spend there

There is a universal-access trail to the falls, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. It is a short, easy walk through evergreen forest.

Upstream: Petrohué and the lake where the river begins

The river begins in Lake Todos los Santos, just upstream, where the road ends at the village of Petrohué. To cruise Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla and to see what else is in the area, read our Ensenada guide.

Wooden house at the TerraSur base in Ensenada, with a cabins and campsite sign and a red kayak

Where to eat and stay nearby

Where to eat

We recommend the home cooking of the Kuschel family, by Lake Todos los Santos, or one of the restaurants in Ensenada.

Stay in Ensenada: Barlovento cabins and campsite

Ensenada is the nearest village on the road from Puerto Varas. Barlovento is there, the same company and base as TerraSur: cabins on the road to the falls or a campsite facing Lake Llanquihue. Staying in Ensenada lets you reach the falls early, before the groups that leave from Puerto Varas.

Rafts running the rapids of the lower Petrohue, the navigable stretch of the river

Rafting and hydrospeed on the lower Petrohue

After the falls, you can run the navigable stretch of the same river. From our base in Ensenada we run rafting on the lower Petrohue, from age 10, and hydrospeed (riverboarding) on the lower Petrohue, from 16. It is 8 km of class III rapids, with a guide and a rescue kayaker.

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Petrohue Falls FAQ

What are Saltos del Petrohué?

They are falls on the Petrohue River over basalt lava from Osorno Volcano, just after the river leaves Lake Todos los Santos. They are also called Petrohue Falls.

Where are the Petrohue Waterfalls?

They are in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Los Lagos Region, beside the road to Petrohué (Route 225-CH).

How far are the waterfalls from Puerto Varas?

They are about 55 km away on Route 225-CH, through Ensenada, about 50 minutes by car.

How do I get to the waterfalls by bus?

Buses JM goes to Petrohué and Buses Interlagos links Ensenada with Petrohué. They leave from San Bernardo and Walker Martínez in Puerto Varas.

What time do the falls close?

They close between 5 pm and 6 pm, depending on the season. To confirm, call the CONAF office in Ensenada: +56 65 221 2036.

How much is the entrance fee?

Tickets cost from CLP 2,800, depending on age and nationality. They are sold on pasesparques.cl, CONAF's official site. In 2026, Chilean residents pay CLP 3,900 (adults) and CLP 2,800 (ages 13 to 17), and foreign visitors CLP 8,200 and CLP 4,500.

Are the Petrohue Waterfalls open?

CONAF closed the area on 30 September 2026 for maintenance. Before you travel, check whether it has reopened on pasesparques.cl or with the CONAF office in Ensenada: +56 65 221 2036.

Which volcano can you see from the waterfalls?

You see Osorno Volcano, right behind the falls. On the road from Puerto Varas you also see Calbuco Volcano.

Which lake is just upstream of the falls?

It is Lake Todos los Santos, where the Petrohue River begins. The road ends there, at the village of Petrohué.

Where can I eat near the waterfalls?

We recommend the home cooking of the Kuschel family, by Lake Todos los Santos, or one of the restaurants in Ensenada.

Can I bring my dog to the falls?

No. CONAF does not allow pets in protected areas, and the falls are inside a national park.

How do I get there from Osorno or Puerto Montt?

From Puerto Montt it is 72 km to the east. From Osorno it is 104 km on road U-55-V, about 1 h 35 min by car.

How long do you need to visit the falls?

The walk along the boardwalks is short and easy. If you also want to see Lake Todos los Santos, Petrohué is 6 km further on.