Discovering Villa Lago Meliquina

A few kilometers away from the City of San Martín de los Andes, there lies a hidden paradise waiting for visitors. Villa Lago Meliquina is an alternative to enjoy the natural magic that concentrates the lifestyle and feeling of Patagonian settlements in only one place.

Sometimes it all depends on luck, on taking the right turn at the crossroads and finding a paradise lost in the maps. Others, a finger and a friendly voice must point in the right direction and say: 'go straight along that road and you will find a dreamed-of place'. This was the case when we first visited Villa Lago Meliquina, one of the best-kept secrets in the Lake corridor in Argentinian Patagonia.


A Road to Be Enjoyed

Villa Meliquina stands just 36 kilometers away from San Martín de los Andes, following the Seven-Lake Road up to the gendarmerie post right by Río Hermoso (Beautiful River) and, once there, turn into Provincial Route 63.

Winding along the southern margin of the lake, under the shady native trees, we got past the first angling clubs in the region, settled down in the area in the 1930s.

While on this road, travelers often feel the urge to stop and take pictures or enjoy the quietness of the woods by the water mirror. Eventually, after traveling 13 kilometers along a gravel road that separates the village from the paved road, we came to the other end of the lake, on whose shores Villa Lago Meliquina rests picturesquely.


The Village by the Lake within a Matchless Scene

Villa Meliquina lies on the head of the lake bearing the same name, on a small dale surrounded by mountains. The first settlers arrived in the 1980s, after the owners of these lands, the Steverlyncks, decided to divide a part of their estancia into lots and sell them.

Much water has flowed under the bridge over the Meliquina River ever since. The eye-catching houses started coloring the scene to build the district that today stands at one of the most beautiful and most prospective tourist destinations in Patagonia.

Clearly conservationist, most houses in the village use wind power generators and the concept of 'zero trash' has already come true. The services in the village also rise to the occasion. There are varied accommodation options, ranging from 4-star hotels to lodges and cabins. On the other hand, the local restaurants are well-known for their generous regional dishes and the quality of their grills.

The natural framework where the district is immerse deserves a special mention. The Meliquina River starts at the lake and crosses the town laying out a memorable landscape. This waterway offers a high sports value for lovers of fly-fishing. A real jewel: before the sun sets, when everything is tinged in a yellow hue, travelers must not miss the synchronized dance of the rainbow trout that show off their glow as they feed on the insect eclosions.


Other Alternatives, the Same Magic

As we rested on a green garden at one of the restaurants in the village, one of the pioneers gently gave us some directions in order to spice up our stay: several tours may be enjoyed near the village and following Route 63. Some of them include a visit to Lake Filo Hua Hum, which lies just 20 kilometers away; Casa de piedra (House of Stone), an overwhelming scene made up by rock formations that shelter an ancient cave formerly occupied by native dwellers; and the Caleufú River, an excellent option to spend the day on its pools, its rapids and fish its trout.

These are the reasons why this travelers' advice should always be followed. Villa Lago Meliquina is one of the most dazzling sites in Patagonia.