Deep in the Andean foothills, off the beaten track for most travelers, is a world where mists swirl around crystalline lakes. Trout and salmon fishing are excellent here. Rushing rivers guarantee jostling rides for the experienced rafters and kayakers. Enchanting villages provide refuge for journeyer needing a quiet get-away from the rigors of the road. After a day of trekking, hot springs await to soothe tired muscles. This, the Región Siete Lagos, or Seven Lakes Region, encompasses Calafquén, Pellaifa, Pullinque, Neltume, Riñihue and Pirehueico Lakes. Connected by rivers fed by Andean snows, the chain of waterways eventually drains into the Pacific Ocean.
The northern-most lake is Calafquén upon whose shores are Licán Ray and Coñaripe. A curious thing is that Licán Ray is not considered part of Seven Lakes area, as it is in the IX Región de la Araucanía and not in X Región de los Ríos. From Coñaripe begins the Ruta de Salud, leading to 14 hot springs. Another attraction is the Sendero de Jabalí, savoring the Wild Boar, a species introduced from Europe. The third week of July, Coñaripe hosts a gastronomic fair featuring this feral swine.
An unpaved road leaves Coñaripe, wrapping around the north shore of Lago Pellaife, to Carirriñe and Liquiñe. Along this route are a number of thermal springs that can be visited. From Liquiñe a poor road continues to Paso Carirriñe border crossing into Argentina.
To the immediate south of Lago Calafquén is another small lake, Lago Pullinque, and then Lago Panguipulli, whose principle villages are Panguipulli and Choshuenco. A complex system of rivers weaving together connects Lago Panguipulli with Lago Pirehueico. Río Neltume, whose birthplace is Lago Neltume to the east, joins with the Río Fuy from Lago Pirehueico to form the Río Llanquihue. This network of rivers comprises some of Chile's best and least explored rafting country. Nearby is the Reserva Biológico Huilo Huilo. On the northern tip of Lago Pirehueico is Puerto Fuy, from where a ferry departs to Puerto Pirehueico near the Argentine border crossing Paso Hua Hum.
The Río Enco wends from Lago Panguipulli to the seventh lake of the Siete Lagos region, Riñihue.
On its littoral are only two small hamlets, Riñimapu and Riñihue. During the off-season, tranquility reigns in this Region of Seven Lakes and its rivers. Lodging and dining services are limited, with better services being offered in Coñaripe, Panguipulli, Choshuenco and the Lago Pirehueico ports, Fuy and Pirehueico. In summer, the pace quickens with the arrival of primarily Chilean tourists on holiday. Cabañas, campground and hostels spring to life. Boat tours on many of the lakes are offered. The bilingual website www.sietelagos.cl/web has good information about what's happening in the region.