Did you know the oldest tree in the world is in Chile? It’s the Great Grandfather, a majestic specimen found in the Alerce Costero National Park, located in the Los Ríos Region.
Here we tell you everything you need to know if you want to see a true wonder of nature with your own eyes.
How old is the oldest tree in the world?
Although it was estimated to be 3,500 years old, a 2022 study published in Science noted that the Great Grandfather is over 5,400 years old, surpassing the Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) in the United States.
To give you an idea, when it germinated, the wheel hadn’t been invented yet and the Sahara Desert was just beginning to form. It’s older than Stonehenge!
The Mapuche people called it lahuán. It is an impressive Patagonian cypress (Fitzroya cupressoides): it stands 60 meters tall, with a diameter of 4.2 meters and a perimeter of 11 meters. A slow-growing giant (less than 1 mm per year) and a protector of southern Chile. A true symbol of resilience, it is everyone’s duty to protect it, and it’s important that you practice responsible tourism during your visit.
How to see the Great Grandfather?
To see the oldest tree in the world, you must go to the Mirador sector of the Alerce Costero National Park. To get there, travel 45 km along Route T-80 from the city of La Unión, in the Los Ríos Region—a complex road that ideally requires a 4×4 vehicle.
From the parking area, you’ll need to do a 2.5 km medium-intensity trek along a trail carpeted with ferns, fungi, and centuries-old alerces. Because of the route’s exposed roots, wearing high-top hiking boots is essential. After this hike, you’ll find yourself face to face with the Great Grandfather, considered the oldest living being on the planet.
Tip: Always choose tourism services and guides registered with Sernatur to guarantee a safe and responsible experience.
How much is the entrance fee to the Mirador sector of Alerce Costero National Park?
Tickets to Alerce Costero National Park must be purchased in advance at Pasesparques.cl and have the following prices:
Chileans
- Adults between 18 and 59 years old: $4,700
- Youth between 13 and 17 years old: $3,200
- Children under 12, adults over 60, and people with disabilities: Free
Foreigners
- Adults between 18 and 59 years old: $10,000
- Youth between 13 and 17 years old, adults over 60: $5,000
- Children under 12 and people with disabilities: Free
Entry to the Mirador Sector is regulated due to high demand and the protection of the tree:
- In winter: Entry is only allowed at 10:30 AM.
- In summer: There are two entry shifts (10:30 AM and 2:30 PM), always accompanied by a park ranger and with a maximum capacity of 15 people per group.
Alerce Costero National Park
Located in the communes of La Unión and Corral, Alerce Costero National Park has more than 24,000 hectares of temperate rainforest. 60% of its flora is endemic and is mainly composed of ancient alerces, whose logging was banned in Chile in 1976.
Among the animals inhabiting this protected area are the kodkod, puma, lesser grison, pudu, and Magellanic woodpecker. Pets are not allowed, and the best time to visit is between spring and summer.
In addition to the Mirador sector, the park also features the Chaihuín, Catrilelfu, and Romaza sectors—routes where you can admire the Valdivian jungle in all its glory, passing through “pitrantos” and “tepuales” (flooded swamp forests). You will see unique species like the coihue, tepa, olivillo, and the rare planta del león.
- Chaihuín Sector: Accessed via Route T-450, from the commune of Corral.
- Catrilelfu Sector: Accessed via Route T-720 from the commune of Corral.
- Romaza Sector: Accessed via Route T-720 from the commune of La Unión.
You can find the entry ticket for these sectors at the following link.
