Puerto Montt is a bustling port city surrounded by spectacular wilderness. Many travellers pass through quickly on their way to more famous destinations, but those who linger will find hidden gems near Puerto Montt. Exploring these spots with a rental car in Puerto Montt rewards you with unique landscapes, including misty forests, secret waterfalls, tranquil lakes, and rural viewpoints.
By seeking out less-visited natural attractions near Puerto Montt, you’ll encounter Chile’s rich biodiversity up close and savour untouched landscapes in peace. In this guide, you’ll learn about the region’s best-kept natural secrets.
Discover a different side of Patagonia. Puerto Montt’s surroundings are filled with treasures that often get overshadowed by the region’s famous national parks. Exploring these hidden natural spots offers several key advantages:
Puerto Montt is on the edge of Chile’s dense temperate rainforests, where crystal-clear rivers tumble through green canyons. This section introduces two spectacular yet little-known nature escapes near the city.
Cascadas de Río Blanco are tucked away about 40 kilometres southeast of Puerto Montt, close to the village of Correntoso, and are among the most rewarding hidden waterfalls near Puerto Montt. Set within the Llanquihue National Reserve, these cascades remain largely untouched by large numbers of visitors.
A short walk of around 2 kilometres takes about 30 to 45 minutes one way and leads through dense ferns and mature forest to the base of the main waterfall. The trail is easy and suitable for families, with gentle slopes and no steep climbs. The waterfall drops roughly 15 metres, offering a relaxed walk amid birdsong and rushing water.
The easiest way to reach the site is by car. From Puerto Montt, drive south along Carretera Austral Route 7, passing coastal views before turning inland towards Río Blanco. Clear markers lead to a small car park and a forest path shaped by past volcanic activity. The waterfall flows throughout the year. Summer, from December to February, brings mild weather, while winter rains make the cascade more dramatic.
Alerce Andino National Park offers a powerful sense of stepping back in time, with vast rainforest and ancient trees that predate much of recorded history, making it one of the true hidden gems near Puerto Montt. Although the park is well known, most visitors stay on a few popular routes, leaving many quieter trails almost empty. These lesser-explored paths wind through dense forest filled with moss-covered trunks, ferns, and the scent of damp earth.
Some of the most peaceful routes begin near Chaiquenes Lagoon or continue beyond the main visitor areas, leading deeper into the park’s interior. Here, the landscape feels wilder and more remote, with chances to find small waterfalls, hidden viewpoints, and still pools framed by forest. Trail difficulty varies from gentle walks to steeper sections.
Wildlife is more visible away from busy areas. Small deer, native birds, and woodpeckers appear occasionally, while condors may glide overhead. Rain is common year-round, so waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear are essential.
The Puerto Montt area also boasts dramatic coastlines and serene lakes. In this section, we highlight two refreshing water escapes.
When Puerto Montt locals want a quick seaside escape, they often visit Pelluco Beach, about 4 to 6 kilometres east of the city centre. Pelluco is a beach area with a pleasant promenade, golden sand, and calm water that suits gentle paddling. While the main section can be busy on summer weekends, quieter corners are easy to find if you continue along the coast beyond the developed area.
Walking west towards Punta Pelluco, the rocky point at the end of the beach, the crowds gradually fade. Once the paved path ends, the shoreline becomes more natural, with tide pools, smooth stones, and small coves that appear at low tide. These peaceful spots are ideal for sitting quietly or watching seabirds and marine life in shallow water.
They also offer wide views across the Reloncaví Sound, making them excellent places to watch the sunset as the sky shifts to orange and pink. On clear evenings, you may see Tenglo Island and faint volcanic outlines on the horizon. Some sections beyond Pelluco are rugged and best reached on foot, although a four-wheel drive vehicle can help on dirt tracks. Check tide times, as higher water can limit access near rocky areas.
In the shadow of snow-capped volcanoes lies Lago Chapo. Located about 43 kilometres from Puerto Montt in the commune’s rural interior, this pristine lake offers a peaceful alternative to the touristy Llanquihue Lake up north. The drive itself involves passing through green fields and pockets of native forest, with Volcán Calbuco gradually coming into view. The road is generally good and paved most of the way, making it an easy day trip with scenic views along the lakeshore.
Arriving at Lago Chapo, the first thing you notice is how uncrowded it is. Often, there are just a handful of locals fishing or families enjoying a picnic on the pebble beaches. The lake’s water is a stunning shade of blue-green, a turquoise mirror reflecting the sky. On clear days, you get a dramatic backdrop of the looming Calbuco Volcano to the north and other Andean peaks in the distance.
There are several spots around the lake to explore. On the southern shore, you’ll find accessible areas to park and walk to the water’s edge. If you’re feeling adventurous, kayaking on Lago Chapo is a fantastic way to soak in the scenery. With the lake’s generally calm waters, even novice paddlers can enjoy gliding along the shoreline, watching for wild ducks, or trout jumping. Kayaks aren’t rented on-site, so you’d need to bring your own.
The landscape around Puerto Montt is shaped by dramatic volcanoes and rolling green hills. Away from the well-known viewpoints that attract tour groups, there are quieter locations where you can take in these volcanic scenes without crowds. Here are some of the most rewarding nature escapes near Puerto Montt.
For a truly majestic experience, seek out one of the natural miradores around Volcán Calbuco, an active stratovolcano rising to 2,003 metres near Puerto Montt. Unlike the well-known viewpoints around Osorno Volcano, these quieter lookouts near Calbuco attract far fewer visitors while offering equally impressive scenery. Locals favour small clearings and hilltops where wide views open across forests, lakes, and the volcano’s broad cone.
Some miradores are reached by short walks, while others can be reached from a distance by car. The terrain is generally gentle, with grassy slopes and uneven ground, so sturdy footwear is advisable. Clear weather is essential, as Calbuco often hides behind clouds.
Early morning is the best time to visit. The air is clearer, the light is softer, and solitude is almost guaranteed. Photographers will appreciate sunrise light on the summit, while birdwatchers may spot condors circling overhead. In spring, wildflowers brighten the foreground. With no entrance fees and minimal infrastructure, these viewpoints offer a quiet, powerful connection to Patagonia’s volcanic landscape.
Sometimes the journey itself becomes the highlight, especially on the rural backroads around Puerto Montt. These country roads wind through farmland, rolling hills, and stretches of coastline, offering wide panoramic views at almost every turn. With a car and a flexible schedule, exploring these routes reveals green pastures framed by distant volcanoes, native forests close to the road, and sudden viewpoints overlooking the Reloncaví Sound or, on clear days, Chiloé Island.
One particularly scenic route follows the beginning of Route 7, also known as Carretera Austral, just south of the port. As the road leaves the city, it runs beside the water for about 9 kilometres, passing fishing boats, forested hills, and occasional views of Yate Volcano in the distance. Quiet pull-offs allow time to stop, take photos, or simply enjoy the sea air.
Further inland, the landscape becomes more rural, with farms, grazing animals, and wildflowers in spring. Another rewarding drive leads towards the Calbuco Peninsula, crossing a causeway with wide ocean views and scattered islands. These backroads invite slow travel, offering a deeper connection to the region’s scenery and everyday life.
Puerto Montt’s surroundings prove that some of the most memorable travel experiences happen when you leave the tourist routes. From hidden waterfalls tucked in ancient forests to silent beaches and sweeping hilltop views, each attraction we explored offers a chance to see Patagonia’s raw beauty in an intimate way.
As you enjoy these nature escapes near Puerto Montt, remember to travel responsibly. These areas are unspoiled precisely because they are lesser known, so stick to trails and respect wildlife.
Don’t be afraid to explore beyond the usual spots. Rent a car in Puerto Montt with Final Rentals and follow that dirt road. With Final Rentals, booking a car online is fast and simple. Select El Tepual International Airport as your pickup location, enter your travel dates, and choose a vehicle for your trip. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
