Small Hidden Lake Quillén

Some outings consist in just fueling our cars and driving around to new locations. Others, like going to Lake Quillén, move us because of the forces of nature and the native communities we may find on the way.

We took Provincial Road 23 from Villa Pehuenia to Aluminé and covered 60 kilometers up to the fork into Provincial Route 46, where we turned west heading for the mountain range.

The Quillén River decided to escort us along the way. We saw several fly-fishermen casting their linen accurately. We got past Quillén Inn, an emblematic site for lovers of this river. Cattle raising and agricultural tourism are the typical activities in the several local estancias, which open their game preserves in the season.

We went past the small wooden houses and domestic animals in their habitat and made contact with the Mapuche Currumil community. We stopped to buy some tortas fritas that had just been fried and had a chat with two ladies whose skin was beaten by the weather. They offered us their woven items and woodcarvings. “We used to see few cars over here but now many people pass by on their way to the lake”, said the younger of the two.

Lanín National Park welcomed us with its lush vegetation, many native specimens and other introduced species that have survived the weather. There are monkey-puzzle tree woodlands but coihue and lenga prevail. The enclosed space has allowed the development of very pretty flowers that stand out on the green background.

Once inside the territory of the park, we went up to the park ranger station in order to get some information about the area and not miss anything.


Peekaboo, Lake Quillén!

We headed for the northern shore of the lake. It is low and vast and, of course, it is made of pebbles. We were surprised by the presence of the Lanín Volcano, whose almost 4,000 meters of height and snow-capped summit looked at us from the heights behind some hills. This is a simple, primitive camping site with benches, tables and toilets.

We heard an outboard motor purring near us and we spotted a small motorboat whose passengers were crying out a friendly “hello!” to us. Trolling is not allowed in the water body but transportation across the lake is. The river is a good fishing environment and only the catch and release policy is permitted in order to guarantee the preservation of species.

Infinite trails start at Lake Quillén. There is one that links it to Lake Hui Hui: a classical hiking tour among those who enjoy the forest and the mountains. The steepest part lies at the beginning. The path is then plain and easy. A total distance of 13 kilometers is to be calculated for the roundtrip as no camping is allowed in the area of the second lake. This circuit may be covered either on foot or by bike.

Just as we learned that “Quillén” stands for “strawberry fields” in the Araucano tongue, we came to a field featuring these plants. Nature certainly leaves an imprint of sensations in our memories forever.