Since its launch in 2020, the Lakes and Volcanoes Scenic Route has offered an immersive experience into Chile’s raw landscapes, weaving together nature, adventure, and heritage. With Temuco now integrated as a new gateway to the country’s southern regions, this network of itineraries opens even further to travelers seeking authenticity and diversity.
Highlights of the Route
This six-circuit journey spans the southern regions of Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos, connecting active craters, glacial lakes, vast native forests, hot springs, and small towns rich in tradition.
- Andean Araucanía: Starting in Curacautín, the route winds between the Lonquimay and Sollipulli volcanoes, follows rivers like the Cautín, and crosses ancient forests within the Pehuenche Indigenous territory.
- Villarrica and Pucón: Nestled at the foot of the Villarrica volcano, these towns are adventure hubs offering rafting, hiking, thermal baths, and crater climbs.
- Seven Lakes: From Lican Ray, this circuit links seven lakes through native forests and Mapuche heritage trails in the Los Ríos region.
- Lake Ranco: Near Futrono, visitors discover waterfalls, hidden beaches, and Huapi Island, home to Huilliche communities and renowned for traditional crafts.
- Northern Patagonia (Puyehue National Park): A land of wild hikes, hot springs, and the Cardenal Samoré Pass to Argentina, this area blends Andean grandeur with lush Valdivian rainforest.
- Llanquihue and Cochamó: German heritage towns like Puerto Varas and Frutillar sit alongside granite cliffs and untouched forests in the Cochamó Valley.
Temuco, a New Starting Point
With its integration, the capital of Araucanía becomes a strategic hub for exploring Andean, lake, and coastal circuits, thanks to its accessibility by road, bus, and air.
A natural gateway to some of Chile’s most stunning national parks—Conguillío, Huerquehue, and Villarrica—Temuco also hosts iconic Mapuche heritage sites, such as Cerro Ñielol, where trails lead to volcanic viewpoints and ceremonial spaces.
After discovering the landscapes and traditions, travelers can extend the experience at the central market, savoring porotos con riendas, a hearty stew that’s a winter classic in the region.
By incorporating Temuco, the Lakes and Volcanoes Scenic Route doesn’t just expand—it strengthens its promise of a journey where each stop tells a different story. At the heart of Mapuche lands, it draws a thread between cultures, histories, and horizons, inviting exploration guided by its people and narrated by its landscapes.
Photos: Sernatur
