Chile Guide
The Lake District
Lago Villarrica
LAGO VILLARRICA, tucked in the mountains some 86km to the southeast of Temuco, is Chile's most visited lake. The reason for its popularity lies not in its size – at only 173 square kilometres, this isn't one of the Andes' biggest lakes – nor even in the beauty lent by the lush forests along its northern shore and the symmetrical cone of Volcán Villarrica (2840m) to the east. Rather, the draw is Pucón, 25km along its eastern shore, a town that has made full use of its natural bounty – including two national parks, thundering rivers and a clutch of accessible hot springs – to become one of Patagonia's prime outdoor adventure centres. At the other end of the lake from Pucón is Villarrica, a less aesthetically pleasing but functional town with cheap rooms for rent and a beautiful view.
The area around Lago Villarrica was first settled by the Spanish in the late sixteenth century, but they didn't have much time to enjoy their new territory, as their towns were sacked by the Mapuche in 1602. Recolonization didn't take place until the Mapuche were destroyed 250 years later. With the arrival of the railroad from Santiago in 1933, the area became one of Chile's prime holiday destinations.