Chile – Outdoor Activities at the Lake District
Pucón Offers Adventure Sports and Excursions to the Lake District
Nov 5, 2009
The Chilean Lake District is popular with Chileans and foreigners alike. Temuco is a good point of departure into the Lake District, with connections to and from Santiago as well as to the tourist towns of the Lake District: Villarrica and Pucón. While these towns merit a visit in themselves, they are foremost interesting as places to arrange outdoor activities in the Lake District.
Outdoor Activities Around Pucón
The friendly town of Pucón has the infrastructure to receive and provide for all categories of travellers. From backpackers to the most luxurious holiday makers, all can find the service [and budget] they seek in Pucón. An alternative – smaller but less crowded – is the town of Villarrica, 25 kilometres west of Pucón. Whereas some vacationers like to stay in Pucón to enjoy the restaurants and outdoor terraces or the views of Lago Villarrica, others are here to take up one of Pucón's many adventure sports.
Check out Avenida O'Higgins where most tour operators are located. Popular adventure sports on offer are:
- Climbing. The nearby volcano of Villarrica may be smoking and simply begs to be climbed [full-day excursion].
- Rafting or kayaking. Río Trancura offers kayak and rafting possibilities in different degrees of difficulty [2,5 hours - half day trips].
- Horseback riding. This activity may be combined with a visit to some of the Mapuche communities that inhabit the area.
Taking up an outdoor activity through a tour operator in either Villarrica or Pucón has its advantages: no further organising or preparation is needed and if the guide is familiar with the area he will point out the hidden treasures, the best places to eat, or he will make the introduction when visiting the Mapuches. Check his credentials before making a decision – a guide can make or break an outdoor activity.
Adventure Sports and Bush Camping in Chile's Lake District
On the other hand there are plenty of options for independent travel as well. Popular outdoor activities to do on one’s own are hiking and mountain biking, both possibly combined with bush camping. Chile's Lake District is well-suited to being explored independently, preferably with camping gear. Remember that these are natural surroundings, so don't forget to take all rubbish out.
Whatever the means of transportation, on foot, by bike or car, independent travel is the best way to get to the unspoiled natural areas far away from the hordes of tourists and to discover Chile's Lake District at its best. It also enables the traveller to visit the tiny hamlets that surround the deep blue lakes, where locals live their lives as they have for ages and where time passes at a different, slower pace.
Scenic routes lie south of Coñatipe [south of Villarrica], where around most lakes unpaved roads lead to hidden camping spots or walking trails with viewpoints. Most of the hamlets will offer the possibility to get something to eat, if nothing else than a small grocery store to buy bread or food to cook a meal. Whereas nothing fancy should be expected, several hamlets offer bed & breakfasts or small hotels. Road maps of the region are on sale in Pucón.
Lake District in the Heart of the Andes Mountains
The most remote, and arguably the most beautiful, areas of the Lake District are around the mountain passes that form the border with Argentina, where the Argentinean Lake District continues.
Some of the beautiful border crossings of the Lake District between Chile and Argentina are, from north to south:
- The 1298 metres' high Icalma Pass, east of Temuco via S61.
- Paso de Mamuil Malal lies east of Pucón and leads into Argentina's National Park Lanín.
- Lago Pirihueico. The border of Argentina can only be reached after taking the ferry that crosses the Lago Pirihueico, which lies amidst untouched nature – an incredibly journey.
- Pajaritos, the most frequented border country in the Lake District [Road 215 from Osorno to Bariloche].
Chile's Lake District – Adventure Sports and Independent Travel
Pucón and Villarica are the tourist towns of Chile's Lake District and good places to arrange adventure sports or to get information about the region. Independent travel is a good way to get away from the tourist attractions and discover Chile's tranquil and beautiful countryside. Travellers may also be interested in other Resources for Travel in Chile, while an interesting region for lovers of natural scenery is south Bolivia.
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