The most beautiful natural sites to discover Patagonie

The Lonquimay volcano (2,865 m) is located on the "Pacific Ring of Fire", the name given to the most active group of volcanoes in southern Chile, often approaching or exceeding 3,000 m in altitude. Although its name means "dense forest" in the Mapuche language, there is another meaning behind this fire-breathing giant. The Mapuches say that the other name given to this volcano means "great precipice" because of a 120-metre high ravine on the east face of the mountain. The last three eruptions recorded are less than 150 years old: the last one occurred on December 25, 1988, giving rise to the Noël crater, the "crater Navidad". Access is from the ski resort of Corralco, near the village of Malalcahuello, be careful not to get lost (it is best to be accompanied by a guide), there are very few indications and the ascent, although easy for the first two thirds, becomes more difficult on the last slopes. The view from the summit is nevertheless magnificent: one dominates a horizon of a dozen volcanic monsters such as the Villarica, Lanín, Llaima and Sierra Nevada volcanoes. You can also access its surprising and huge crater of 800 meters in length. As far as the downhill is concerned, the skiers will be able to enjoy themselves! Note that the volcano is categorized as an active volcano and is monitored by the South Andean Volcanological Observatory, based in the city of Temuco.

It is the name of the small representative cervide of Patagonia that gave its name to one of the most beautiful glaciers in the region. The trail that leads to the glacier and its lagoon, with absolutely unique turquoise blue, is an enchanting journey through a forest that is equally so (one believes in one of the many fantastic movies, free to you to imagine which one!). Follow the yellow markings all along, and continue after the sign indicating that access to the glacier is forbidden, after a few meters of climb you will arrive at the Laguna.

In the heart of Ancud, 5 minutes from the center, the beach of Arena Gruesa extends. Further away, the Balneario Lechagua offers you 15 to 20 km of beach. To get there, take a colectivo. If the beaches are sandy, the water is very cold because of the presence of a current.

A 3,1 km trail leads to Cerro Bandera (610 m altitude, 3 or 4 round trip). He leaves the statue of the Virgin Mary, 2 km south-east of the city. Beautiful panoramas on the tops, the canal and the bled.

A small hike to the south of the village to recover from some energivore trekking in the glacier park. The departure takes place near the park office and allows you to admire a beautiful panorama on the turquoise waters of Lago Viedma.

If you are freshly landed and need to warm up quietly before embarking on more demanding hikes, opt for this nice hike. It will take you to the Chorillo del Salto waterfall, which was formed by the melting of the accumulated snow and glaciers of the Fitz Roy massif. To get there, we cross a beautiful low forest of ñires. The trail starts in the centre of El Chaltén, follow the same path that leads to the Laguna de Los Tres and continue along the path that goes to the right.

This magnificent glacial lake of 557 km ² to intense marine blue waters gave its name to the national park Nahuel Huapi. It has a few islands and seven separate arms: Campanario, De, Blest, Machete, Del, Ultima Esperanza and Huemul. The first Europeans to discover it in 1670 are Jesuit missionaries from Chiloé, Chile, who are installing here the Mission Nahuel Huapi to evangelize indigenous people. The Bariloche agencies offer numerous excursions and other water sports on the lake.

For wind fous, Comodoro reserves a very nice surprise: 17 km north of the city, we find the country's largest wind farm and the second in South America… a surreal image, a little to the image of Comodoro. The park consists of eight windmills that generate 10% of the energy needed to supply the city. You will have the opportunity to see it (from a distance) from the airport.

The north of the city stretches from wild beaches to lost sight. The most beautiful are Cabo Curioso and La Mina. A mirador also allows to observe a colony of sea lions.

No you don't dream, the cave of Lourdes (without the basilica!) has its (almost) copy in line with Mar del Plata. Bernadette Soubirous never landed in Argentina, but believing all ex-voto ephemera on the rocks, the virgin of the Gruta de Lurdes is capable here of miracles too. Kitsch fans will enjoy.

60 km south of the city, you will discover a magnificent lagoon, once the crater of a former volcano. It owes its name to its blue colour, exceptional, thanks to the depth of its waters. The only way to get there, if you don't have your own vehicle, is to stop.

This site is the old site of the port and village of Quellón. The coast, bordered by fine sandy beaches, is perfectly suited to the practice of sport fishing. We guess the islands Laitec and Coldita.

Here we will see vestiges of rock paintings, allegedly made by nomadic hunters Tehuelche over 10,000 years ago. On the east side of the hill, it is a natural cave about 60 m high. She served as occasional dwelling but also as an observation point for native tehuelche hunters. The top of the hill, 120 m above the valley level, offers a beautiful view. It even sees the delta of the Jeinemini River (natural border with Argentina) flowing into the lake.

Here are a few "tracks" for a most memorable trek between Rio Puelo and the Argentine village of El Bolsón. This is an opportunity to cross the Andes through completely secluded places.

Go to Los Canelos, on the shores of Lake Tagua Tagua, where a barcaza (Don Felipe) will take you in 45 minutes to the other side, to the Maldonado. Then, we continue towards Llanada Grande, on less than 40 km. Besides the bus from Puerto Montt, the stop is the most realistic alternative; be prepared to wait anyway. You can stay in hospedajes and camp on the spot.

The second part of the route takes you to Segundo Corral, on the shores of the lago Interior. It won't take a day, since you have to walk from there. First objective: Azul Lake, after 4 hours of walking. The trail is easy to spot, but always ask the people you meet for directions. Try to always go left, never right. If everything went well, you should spend the night at Azul Lake. Beforehand, however, you will have seen a small house about 45 minutes before you arrive at the lake, so ask about the possibilities of crossing the lake by boat. Agree on the price and schedule. It is also possible to walk around the lake; in this case, turn left at the small house.

You should then arrive at Lake Las Rocas which you will either go around to the east if you have taken the boat, or to the west if you have decided to walk all the way; then to Lake Interior. It is possible to camp at the end of Lake Interior, but you can also go to Segundo Corral, about 2 hours away, where there are a few shops for food and rooms to sleep in.

From there, there are two options: take the Pionero boat to Los Hitos, on the Chilean-Argentinean border, before continuing on foot; or leave on foot right away, following an old path that will also take you to Los Hitos. You are then on the lago Puelo. Boats will take you to the locality of Lago Puelo. If you still want to walk, it is possible: a path leaves Los Hitos for the Argentinean National Gendarmerie station (about 2 hours), before continuing to another station, that of the Lago Puelo park administration. El Bolsón is only 15 km away, and public transport is plentiful. This is the end of the adventure: El Bolsón is a great place to recharge your batteries.