Cochamó is not Yosemite, Cochamó is Cochamó

Many call it the “Yosemite of South America” or its towering granite walls and limitless climbing potential. But those who have been here know Cochamó is much more than a comparison. Even Tommy Caldwell, after climbing in the valley and giving a talk in Puerto Varas, put it simply: “Cochamó is better than Yosemite.”.

Why? Because Cochamó is unique. It’s remote: no roads, no mass services—only an old mule trail, mud under your boots, and horses carrying the loads. It’s pristine: forests, rivers, and glaciers remain intact thanks to the work of the local community and the Cochamó Valley Organization. It’s authentic: you live alongside the arriero culture, families who have cared for this valley for generations. And it’s world-class: granite walls up to 1,000 meters, classic routes, and untouched terrain waiting for new lines.

In Cochamó, every climb is more than a physical challenge—it’s a full immersion in nature.

How to arrive and access to the Valley

The journey begins in the village of Cochamó, a unas dos horas de Puerto Montt o Puerto Varas. Aquí termina la ruta vehicular y empieza la aventura.

En el Centro de Visitantes debes registrarte y mostrar tu reserva de camping. Importante: el sendero cierra a las 15:00 horas (14:00 en otoño). Si llegas más tarde, tendrás que esperar al día siguiente para entrar.

Access is only on foot or by horse. It’s about 12 km to La Junta, with 350 m of elevation gain. The trail is demanding: mud, roots, wooden walkways, and river crossings. Expect 4–6 hours of hiking. If carrying heavy loads, you can hire pack horses (pilcheros) for around CLP $40,000 to transport up to 60 kg (two loads of 30 kg).

La Junta: the heart of the valley

After the hike, the forest opens into a clearing where the Cochamó and La Junta rivers meet. A wide meadow unfolds, surrounded by colossal granite walls. This is the valley’s base camp: a mix of tents, wooden shelters, and communal fire pits.

From La Junta, trails branch out to every sector: Cerro Trinidad, the Amphitheater, and the Paloma Valley. Here you’ll also find the local campgrounds (La Junta, Vista Hermosa, El Manzano, Trawen), managed by families who care for access and basic services.

Nosotros recomendamos acampar en el Camping la Junta donde es importante hacer tu reserva con bastante anticipación en este link https://cochamo.com/camping/

The experience is rustic: no electricity, no cell signal, no trash bins. Water comes straight from crystal-clear rivers. Nights, under a star-filled sky, are shared around the fire with climbers from all over the world.

Escalada en Cochamó

Cochamó is a paradise for traditional and multi-pitch climbing. Its walls offer everything:

• Accessible and recommended routes: Camp Farm (7 pitches, 5.10+), Apnea (2 pitches, 5.10), Homo Santa (10 pitches, 5.11a), Mister M (14 pitches, 5.10+).
• Bigger challenges: Todo Cambia (5.11c), Al Centro y Adentro (5.11+), Entre Cristales y Cóndores (5.13b), Gardens of the Galaxy (25 pitches, 5.11c A0).

Most routes require a double rack of cams, a varied set of stoppers, and often larger cams (#4 and #5). Two 60 m ropes are the most practical choice, along with cordelettes for reinforcing rappels.

The weather here is Patagonian: even in summer, it can rain for days. That’s why many climbers plan long stays, with base camp in La Junta and flexible weather windows. On rainy days, the alternative is sport climbing at the Pared Seca, which stays relatively sheltered.

Conservation and Respect

The valley is managed by the Cochamó Valley Organization (OVC), a non-profit initiative created by arrieros, landowners, and local residents. Cochamó is not a national park; it is private land, kept open thanks to the goodwill of its communities.

This means that as a visitor, you have a direct responsibility:

• Stay on the trail and close the gates.
• Camp only in designated areas.
• Don't make fire
• Pack out all your trash..
• Respect local culture.

If you’d like to support conservation, you can donate to OVC at https://vallecochamo.org/donar/

Conclusion: prepare, respect, and enjoy.

Cochamó is unique. It’s not Yosemite—it’s Cochamó: remote, authentic, wild, and home to world-class climbing. It demands planning, effort, and respect—but what it gives back is beyond comparison.

👉 Y si toda esta logística suena compleja, recuerda que con Andes to Pacific solo tienes que preocuparte de llegar. Nosotros nos encargamos del resto: guías certificados, logística resuelta y seguridad garantizada, para que vivas Cochamó en su máxima expresión.