The visit of the manager of the Model Forest Networks of Latin America, Fernando Carrera Gambetta, once again brought into focus the potential of Futaleufú, in the Argentine Patagonia. It is one of the three territories in the country that are part of this international network, which promotes conservation and sustainable development in unique landscapes in the world.
The concept of a model forest is based on the coordination between communities, municipalities, research centers, and civil organizations to create practices that allow for caring for nature while strengthening local development. Futaleufú represents a unique case due to its location in the southernmost region, where biodiversity, cultural identity, and opportunities for sustainable tourism converge.
The region faces a significant challenge. After years of institutional inactivity, the project aims to reactivate its board of directors, establish new participation rules, and develop a strategic plan. The goal is to recover the original vision of the model forest and adapt it to current demands, from environmental conservation to promoting community tourism.
The specialist highlighted that the potential of Futaleufú is enormous, both due to its natural landscape and the cultural richness of its communities. The snow, the rivers, and the mountains create a scenario that, while commonplace for its inhabitants, is extraordinary for visitors from other latitudes.
Futaleufú, a model forest in Patagonia that captivates with its landscapes. Photo: Green Patagonia.
Youth, Tourism, and Cultural Roots
One of the central axes of this process is the involvement of youth. The project promotes the integration of young people into regional and international networks, strengthening the vision of the future and encouraging the exchange of experiences with other model forests around the world.
Additionally, cultural identity emerges as an essential value for tourism development. Community ventures such as hiking, horseback riding, and rural activities aim to recover ancestral heritage and show visitors the deep relationship between communities and their natural environment.
The nature, the cold climate, and the tranquility of Futaleufú form an attraction that combines with local hospitality. This contrast between an austere environment and the warmth of its people reinforces the idea that sustainability is not just about conservation, but also encompasses preserving customs and quality of life in the farms and Patagonian towns.
Futaleufú emerges as an example of the balance between environmental conservation and community development. Its tourism potential, committed youth, and the power of its landscapes make it a key territory to consolidate the most southern sustainable management model on the planet.
Futaleufú, a model forest in Patagonia that captivates with its landscapes. Photo: Green Patagonia.
How to Get to Futaleufú
Access to Futaleufú, located in the northwest of the Chubut province and near the border with Chile, can be done through various routes. From Esquel, the nearest city with an airport, you can take National Route 259 to Trevelin and then continue on provincial roads to the final destination. The approximately 80-kilometer journey traverses valleys and mountain ranges that anticipate the region’s beauty.
Another alternative is to enter from Chile, through the Futaleufú pass, which connects with the Los Lagos Region. This route is a common choice for tourists combining tours in both countries and seeking adventure tourism experiences such as rafting, hiking, and sport fishing.
Public transportation to the area is limited, so many travelers opt for private vehicles or organized tours. However, this relative remoteness enhances the charm of the place: reaching Futaleufú means immersing yourself in a still preserved territory, where nature retains its imposing character and tourism is experienced sustainably.
