Pucón
On the shores of Lake Villarrica, Pucón is one of South America's leading adventure sports destinations, offering volcano hikes, white water rafting, mountain biking and more.
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Reasons to go to the Chilean Lake District
- One of South America's great centres for outdoor activities, from the two hub towns of Puerto Varas and Pucón.
- Hiking in seven national parks through forests of monkey puzzles and thousand-year-old alerce trees from Villarrica and Huerquehue to Vicente Pérez Rosales and Pumalín Douglas Tompkins.
- Perfect snow-capped volcanoes with trails to explore, peaks to climb and slopes to mountain bike down.
- Kayaking on sapphire and emerald glacial lakes, or with sea lions and dolphins through Chile's fjords.
- The landscapes and unique culture and folklore of Chiloé island to discover.
- Easy to reach from both Santiago and Torres del Paine.
Places to go in the Chilean Lake District
Puerto Varas
Perched on the shores of Lake Llanquihue and overlooked by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, Puerto Varas is the perfect gateway to the Chilean Lake District.
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Chiloé Island
Chiloé Island is the perfect destination for anyone searching to get off the beaten track, for hiking in its dramatic coastal scenery and rich forests and exploring its unique …
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Villarrica National Park
The star power of three volcanoes is what draws visitors to Villarrica National Park on the doorstep of the outdoor sports capital of Pucón.
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Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park
Snowy Osorno Volcano and the blue waters of Lake Todos los Santos usher visitors into one of the most accessible national parks in the Chilean Lake District.
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Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
Lush rainforest, waterfalls, snow capped mountains, smoking volcanoes, glaciers and lakes: this national park has it all.
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Huerquehue National Park
Spread over the Andean foothills and close to the adventure sports capital of Pucón, Huerquehue is one of the region’s most charming national parks.
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Alerce Andino National Park
Alerce Andino is a temperate rainforest biosphere reserve dominated by ancient alerce trees that stands as the northern gateway to Chile’s epic Route of the Parks.
Discover MoreThings to do in the Chilean Lake District
Hiking in the Chilean Lake District
With seven national parks and an abundance of volcanoes, ancient forest trails and lake views to enjoy, this region of Chile is perfect hiking country.
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Mountain biking in the Chilean Lake District
Getting on a mountain bike can be one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the stunning lakes, mountains and forests of the Chilean Lake District.
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Kayaking & rafting in the Chilean Lake District
In a region dominated by glacier lakes and rivers, it’s no surprise that one of the best ways to explore the Chilean Lake District is paddling by kayak or raft.
Discover MoreHow to get to the Chilean Lake District
The Chilean Lake District is well connected to the rest of the region, with plentiful daily flights from Santiago into Puerto Montt, a short drive from the main gateway town of Puerto Varas, or to Temuco for the adventure sports hub of Pucón in the northern Lake District.
There are also direct connections from Santiago to Chiloé island. The Lake District is also connected to Torres del Paine, with direct daily flights between Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas (for the adventurous with more time to spend, there is also a four-day ferry that travels through the fjords between these cities.
It's also possible to connect the Chilean Lake District with its neighbour across the border in Argentina. There are several ways to cross the border, not least the spectacular Cruce Andino combined ferry and bus route across the Andes between Puerto Varas and Bariloche, the gateway to the Argentine Lake District.
Where to stay in the Chilean Lake District
Accommodation options in the Chilean Lake District range from luxury lodges and working estancias set in beautiful scenery, to hotels and hostels in the region's towns.
The main hubs to base yourself are Puerto Varas and Pucón alongside Chiloé island but wherever you travelling to or whichever lakes, volcanoes or national parks you're looking to explore, we have access to a wide variety of hotels, guesthouses and lodges across the Lakes to suit your budget and interests.
When to go to the Chilean Lake District
The Chilean Lake District is a year-round destination but being aware of the seasonal variations will help you get the most from your trip. The lush temperate rainforests are the result of a lot of wet weather from the Pacific.
You should always pack for rain, but you'll find clearer skies, with drier and warmer days from December to March, with temperatures averaging around 20°C (70°F). This is the time for the best hiking and clearest mountain views, as well as seasonal activities like penguin-watching on Chiloé.
June to August are the wettest and coolest months, with temperatures averaging around 9°C (50°F). Higher altitudes receive snow, and some walking trails will be inaccessible or muddy.
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