fray jorge national park

rented a KIA cerrato and made the trek all the way to the cloud forest. Park ranger told us its all about the driver making the drive through the narrow drive on the sierra. WORTH IT. even 20 k drive to get to the park entrance is enchanting- if you go early you can drive through the coastal fog and experience a drop in tempertature about 10-15 degrees... felt like Jurassic Park...Once you reach the cloud forest you will see olive trees, cinnamon trees, and various herbs. you will see some birds, but this trip we didn't see much animals like the chinchilla rat because this region experienced a dry year!We actually took a pause on the way down the sierra to enjoy the cactus and removed one of the cactus fruit and sliced it open to enjoy it! and take some awesome photos with cacti in bloom! I would def recommend this national park because once you reach the cloud forest, you can go on a small hike and see the undisturbed costal shore on the other side of the sierra.

It is quite a trip out of La Serena, but if you go for the day to have an outside Barbecue or something it is well worth it, the mountain forest is well worth seeing but the tour is only about 30-60min long, so if that is all you are going to do you will probably be disappointed.

The Fray Jorge National Park is a nationally important remnant of once more extensive cloud forest. It's approached from route 5 (the Pan-American Highway) by around 25km of dirt road, which is not in too bad a condition - don't be lulled into a false sense of security by the first kilometre which has been surfaced! To a Northern European visitor the land on either side of the approach road, with many cacti in a semi-desert was at least as interesting as the National Park itself. On entering the Park, they can give you a laminated set of rules in English; this states that the last 5km to the actual forest (which is at the top of a very steep track) should only be attempted in a 4WD. The park ranger indicated that this wasn't the case and my ordinary front wheel drive rental car should should be able to get up there. Well it did (and back down again), but it was distinctly hairy as there are patches of loose gravel on a 1 in 2 gradient...Before attempting the trip you should in any event look in the small interpretation centre about 2km into the park; this is only in Spanish (and doesn't say much anyway) but does indicate some of the flora/fauna to look out for. Once at the top, there's a marked trail with about 24 posted markers - but unless you have the Spanish guide, they are not explained. There's also a short boardwalk for those in wheelchairs. The views, both across to the Pacific and inland, are very nice, and the vegetation is unusual, but again to a European visitor it doesn't look so very different from a lot of other Chilean vegetation.Overall, it's interesting, but was it worth the lengthy detour from the main road and the worry about whether my rental company would have insured me had I had an accident? I'm not all that sure.

We found the road to be a washboard in many places (it gets smoother if you drive a little faster) but definitely does not require 4WD at all. Any ordinary car can make the trip.

This is a unique park, and with only one trail will not take long to get around, which leaves you time to visit other attractions in the area. The park is beautiful, especially the lookout over the coast on the walking trail. The drive up was fairly easy (more or less 600 meters altitude) but you need a 4X4 or they won't let you up (park rules). We saw a lovely fox, but the idea is not to see animals, but to see the unique walk that takes you from semi-arid desert to dripping wet forest in a short space, due to the mist rolling in from the Pacific. The information center was interesting (only in Spanish), and the views from the road up were stunning as well.s

I believe that, although the visit is worth it, the amount of miles by car discouraged me a bit. However, I enjoyed it. The hidrofillic forest and the very nice abrupt change from the pre-forest to the actual park is something you cannot miss.

Wood in the middle of a desert... It's hard to get there, but the 30minutes walk around the woods offers a wonderful view of all the plants and the coast as well.

Maybe, its just me, but a forest in the atacama??? WHat is that all about? It never rains! So, we checked it out. The drive is quite far, I would say aonther 1,5 hours from the ruta 5, however I think it is worth while. The forest actually gets all its water from the clouds which are formed at the sea before the beach, they than speed up the cliff where the forrerst is located and humifify the forrest. The walk thorugh the park is rather short 30-45 min, but with some spectacular views.

Important - if U do not want to make the last 5Km walking you need a 4 x 4 car.I was crazy enough to do the first 1km of the trail to the Park wiht a normla car and thanks God ntohgin happened.To reahc the top it took me then 40 Min ca.The microcliam of the park means: fog, cold, humid ... dress upFog means that you will not be able to take beatiful pictures wiht view of the sea & Co.Finally interestign but not the ultimative experience

Beautiful, enchanting area. Beware though, long trip off highway on dirt road. Truck or 4WD required

We really enjoyed the detour to Fray Jorge National Park but there are a couple of things I would add to the other reviews. The park entrance is about 40 minutes from the highway and from there it's another 15 minutes up hill to the trail. The park closes at 4:30. We arrived at 3pm and the attendant was a bit hesitant to let us go up. It would be a shame to drive all the way to the entrance and not be able to see the park so keep that in mind. Also, the trail through the park is short and apt for all ages/ abilities. Therefore, if you are looking for a serious, strenuous hike this would not be the place for it.

A Valdivian forest in the middle of a desert? It´s true because it gets moisture from the clouds. Pretty neat. Well worth the detour from Route 5.

Just visited Fray Jorge for the second time in 1 year... For us the park's unique mix of biospheres, abundance of wildlife and wild mist burning off the mountains is very unique in Chile. Like all national parks here, it is low key by North American standards which I love... Make your own adventure and discover the magic of Fray Jorge!

You missed what makes this Park unique - did you wonder why there is a patch of green forestry in the top of a very dry hill, did you see or asked what kept it alive, where you aware that the mist that comes from the sea everyday is responsible for this wonder. That is the beauty of the place. Next time, look in detail and you will see....... its all there, cheers

A parking lot littered with desert foxes. Guanacos nibbling the flowers off cacti. Tropical plants among swirling clouds at the tops of the ocean ridges. Gorgeous views of the ocean from the observation decks at the top of the cliff. Chinchillas and tinamou scrambling around your feet as you make your way along the paths.The other reviewer expected what...a zoo? Disney world? This is a totally unique and endangered ecosystem, full of amazing biodiversity. So you didn't see the animal species you wanted to see...so what? You think nature videographers catch their shots within the first hour or two of a location shoot? It takes patience, stillness, and calmness...