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Río Azul: a glacier-fed class II–III run near Futaleufú

Río Azul guide near Futaleufú: a short class II–III glacier-fed run, access, best season and our estimated Azul flow on the live gauge page.

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Where the Azul runs

The Río Azul (“blue river”) is a tributary of the Futaleufú. Glaciated peaks at its headwaters give it turquoise, very cold water. It joins the Futa at the bottom of Inferno Canyon, which is also where the Terminator section usually begins.

The run

Rivers of Chile describes a short run of about 6 km, class II–III, with pool-drop rapids and some play near the bottom. Local rafting companies take clients down it in inflatable kayaks (duckies), and kayak schools use it for training.

• Put-in: from Futaleufú, drive about 25 km toward Chaitén and cross Puente Azul, where you can look at the river. About 1 km further, an unmarked right turn leads onto a road lined with tall vertical log fences; follow it several kilometres, through gates, to the swinging footbridge over the Azul.
• Take-out: go back to the main road, recross the bridge and take the first residential road on the right on the Futa side, nearly to its end, where the road runs close to the Azul.
• Into the Futa: many groups use the Azul to start a Terminator trip, paddling down to the Futaleufú pasarela about 13 km away. Since land at the confluence itself is private, launching on the Azul and paddling the last few kilometres down is the usual approach.

Character

Small, clear and cold, with simple pool-drop rapids. It is far friendlier than the Futaleufú it feeds, but if you continue onto the Futa you enter class IV–V water.

Season and flows

The Azul is best with water: early season (November and December) or after heavy rain. No typical flow numbers are published for the run, so judge by the view from Puente Azul and by the trend on our page.

How to read our Azul number

There is no gauge on the Azul. On our Futaleufú page its flow is an estimate: 70% of the inflows recorded at the downstream Malito station that are not explained by the dam release and the Río Espolón. Treat it as a guide to whether the Azul is rising or falling, not as a measurement.

Safety

Glacial water is very cold, so wear proper thermal gear. Look out for wood after storms. Anyone continuing to the Futaleufú must be ready for Terminator and its scout or portage.

Frequently asked questions

What class is the Río Azul?

Class II–III over about 6 km, according to Rivers of Chile.

Is the Río Azul flow measured?

No. Our number is an estimate based on 70% of the unmeasured inflows between the dam, the Espolón and the Malito station.

Provisional real-time data from DGA Chile. Always scout and check conditions on the river.

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Sources: riversofchile.com/rio-azul · riversofchile.com/rio-futaleufu-terminator-section · Updated 2026-10-26