Hiking Around Lago Moquehue - Hiking Moquehue - Argentina

A moderate day hike around Lago Moquehue's eastern shore offers hikers a chance to walk alongside Pehuenia trees and streams, as well as untrodden lakes, and it offers great views. The trail goes through land belonging to the Puel Mapuche community, so it's very important to respect the land by carrying out all of your trash and remaining on the trail. Some members of the Mapuche community have complained that travelers ignore private property signs and cause environmental destruction in the area, but visitors can help reduce these issues by taking a guided hike [available through LM Aventura (tel. 02942/156-64705)] instead of hiking on their own.

From Villa Pehuenia, it's easiest to start at the northern end of the trail, but visitors can drive along Ruta 11 and park their car at the southern end in the small town of Moquehue as well. To reach the northern trailhead, drive 4 km west out of town along Ruta 13, turn south at the gendarmeria station and continue over el Puente la Angostura. Here you will come across the campground El Puente but continue on until you reach a gate where the Mapuche charge cars $2 to enter and park. Rather than driving, travelers can avoid the $2 fee by walking from Villa Peuenia, which takes about an hour and 15 minutes.

From here, you should walk along the path leading south, which follows the eastern shore of Lago Moquehue and passes several pristine beaches and secluded lagoons. Hikers will come across a private farm where the main trail stops, but you can continue on by briefly following a path along the fence and then joining a wider horse trail. You will reach the fairly shallow Rio Blanco, but once you hike across it the trail is well-marked for the rest of the 2.5 hour hike that ends in the small town of Moquehue.

Location:

Hiking Types:
Hike

Getting There

Travel Tips:

Price Description:

Relative price: Free

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

You Need to Bring: