Attractions

Driving the Siete Lagos Route & The Loop Through Villarrica National Park

Renting a car is the best option here, but all tour companies can put this excursion together for you. Ideally, these drives are best when the sun is shining, for maximum views; however, visiting the various hot springs and driving through dense forest is also a good way to pass a rainy day.

For the Siete Lagos route, head south from Villarrica toward Lican Ray and then through Coñaripe, circling the lake until reaching Panguipulli. From here, you take the paved road toward Lanco (although signs might say LICAN RAY as well) until you see the sign for Lican Ray and Villarrica. This rough dirt road continues to Villarrica (there's a good lookout point along the way) or forks to the right to Lican Ray, where you can again catch the paved road to Villarrica. Take a good look at the map before making any decisions; note that none of these roads is numbered or has a name. Of course, the trip can be done in the reverse direction, which might be more desirable for an afternoon soak at the hot springs just south of Coñaripe.

It's a little more difficult (read: potholes, slippery mud, and short, steep pitches), but the loop through Villarrica National Park is more desirable for its views of virgin forest of towering evergreen beech and monkey puzzle (araucaria) trees, a good day hike, and a visit to the Termas Geométricas. This route is for high-clearance vehicles (4*4 in wet conditions) and should be undertaken from the north through the south only. Leaving Pucón, head east toward Curarrehue and drive for 20km (12 miles), turning right at the sign for Palguín (30km/19 miles from Pucón). These hot springs have a small hotel and several thermal pools; however, the service here is surly and there are better hot springs in the area. Continue along the road until you reach the ranger station (37km/23 miles from Pucón; $6/£4 per-person entrance fee). There is a full-day hike here, the Los Nevados (16km/10 miles; about 10 hr. round-trip and moderate), but a preferred and shorter hike can be found about midway between the ranger station and Coñaripe, the Pichillancahue trail (6.6km/4 miles; about 4 hr. round-trip). This trail winds through dense virgin forest of the unusual, spindly monkey puzzle trees and has views of the surrounding volcanoes. The road from the ranger station to Coñaripe is about 27km (17 miles), with an obligatory stop at the most beautiful hot springs in the region, Termas Geométricas.