page_title: Cochamó Valley
section_title: Threats to Sustainability
hierarchical_section_title: Cochamó Valley / Threats to Sustainability
caption_attribution_description: English: The picture shows magnificent Cerro Trinidad.
context_page_description: Cochamó Valley [kotʃamo] is a U-shaped valley located in the Andes, in Los Lagos Region of Chile, south of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and east of the Reloncaví Estuary. The valley takes its name from the river of Cochamó, and has a striking similarity to Yosemite Valley, due to its granite domes and old-growth forests.
  Like Yosemite, hikers and rock climbers from around the world come for the valley's several 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) granite walls. A developing eco-tourism location for serious hikers with trails ranging from easy to challenging, and a myriad of rare bird and plant life, and a stunning landscape. Five kilometers from the village of Cochamó is a 6km gravel road that terminates at the hiking trail that leads into this east-west running valley.
  The trail carries on up through Argentina traverses some of the most unspoiled areas of northern Patagonia, and rewards travelers with views of granite walls, plunging waterfalls, soaring condors, towering Alerce trees, and the magical deep-blue Vidal Gormaz Lake, known for trout fishing.
context_section_description: The valley, as with other river catchments in Chile, is often under threat from large-scale, external economic interests. A few years ago, residents banded together to successfully prevent large-scale logging exploitation, including the building of a road accessible by vehicles through the entire valley. (But not before the first 7 km of gravel track was laid down - which, today, is of benefit to local residents). More recently, the valley has come under threat from hydro-electric companies - that, in 2009, floated plans to create a system of large-scale pipes and tubes, and pylons, to produce vast amounts of electricity. Again, locals have banded together to combat this effort, and preserve the valley. In late 2009, the Cochamó River was designated as a river protected for tourism, but this government designation is likely to be challenged in court or parliament by the business community.
caption: Cerro Trinidad
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