Los Arrayanes National Park

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Los Arrayanes National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location:	Neuquén Province, Argentina
Area:	17.53 km²
Established:	1971
Governing body:	Administración de Parques Nacionales

Los Arrayanes National Park is a national park of Argentina with an area of 17.53 square kilometres. It covers the Quetrihué Peninsula on the shore of the Nahuel Huapi Lake in the province of Neuquén, 3 km from Villa la Angostura.

Even though arrayán trees (Luma apiculata) can be seen on the way to the end of the peninsula, the forest of 300 year old arrayanes covers 0.2 km² of the southern point, with individuals of over 600 years. The forest can be reached by boat from different points of the Nahuel Huapi lake, or a 12 km path from the beginning of the park at the port of Villa La Angostura. This path, full of ups and downs, is also popularly done by mountain bike.

There are a few pudú and huemul deer, guanacos, monitos de monte and small foxes. Among the birds, condors, eagles, hawks and woodpeckers can be found here.

Even though it was already part of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, Los Arrayanes was created in 1971 to protect its forest of rare arrayán trees. To protect the soil and the roots of these fragile trees, a wooden path has been made for the tourist to enjoy the view of the cinnamon-coloured trees. It is said that the forest inspired Walt Disney for the scenography of his film Bambi, though he visited it in 1941, when production of the film was already in course.

National parks of Argentina (by region)