LANIN NATIONAL PARK

This name, applied both to the National Park and to its lake, derives from the Mapuche word "lanín", meaning "dead rock". With a total area of 379,000 hectares, it was created in 1937 with the aim of preserving its ecosystems and landscapes, for example the Andean-Patagonian forests, with species such as the pehuén, raulí and the roble pellín, that are only found in Argentina in a reduced-size area of the Neuquen Cordillera, framed by a beautiful mountain and lake environment.

Lanín National Park is in the southwest of Neuquen Province, Argentina; limiting on the west with Chile and on the southern tip with Nahuel Huapi Park.

It possesses a large lake basin holding 24 glacial lakes, a unique southern Andes landscape feature, and several mountain ranges that become lower towards the east, blending into a effortlessly undulating topography.

It includes a number of lakes and huge rivers that run to the Atlantic Ocean, except those in the Lake Lácar basin, which all flow into this lake, which in turn empties into the Pacific Ocean via the Hua Hum River. Among Flora species worth noting is the pehuén or araucaria (monkey-puzzle tree), and among its fauna the pudú, the smallest deer in the world.

With its conical tip sheathed in permanent snow, Lanín volcano towers 1,500 m or more over the other peaks in the region. Its 3,776 m height reigns best over the mountain landscape from every angle.

The northern half of Lanín National Park, between the Ñorquinco and Huechulafquen lakes, is subjugated by the pehuén, an outstanding tree of the pine family that can reach 45 m in height. Its seeds are not only eaten by many animals, but also are a staple diet item for the Mapuches and other local inhabitants to this very day.

In the areas with rainfall over 1,500 mm a year there are samples of Valdivian forest species. That is where the coihue acquires its greatest splendor. The roble pellín forests are another unique flora phenomenon of this Park, appearing significantly in the north and southwest areas. Together with this species we find the raulí, a native tree with great forestry value.

In general, due to South America's being cut off from the rest of the world for a considerable length of time, many species and their families developed locally and are now exclusive to this region. In particular, it was the emergence of the Andean Cordillera who brought a drastic environmental change to this area, contributing to the creation of different biomes (natural areas or regions), accentuating the variety even further.
The Park is open all year round, and is worth visiting at any time of the year Entrance fee: $ 5.

Possible circuits:

Huechulafquen Area

• El Bosque interpreted trail: takes only 45 minutes. It starts at Puerto Canoas and offers a nice chance to take a short easy trek.
• Mt Chivo climbing trail: 3 hours of climbing, starting from Cañicul Bay and then going through a colihue cane forest that blends with a forest of coihue trees.
• Trail to the El Saltillo Cascade: it takes 35 minutes. Starts from Piedra Mala. It is gently sloping.
• Trail to Paimún: 3 hours and back, from Piedra Mala.
• Trail to the southern face lodge of the Lanín volcano (2,300 m): it takes 7 hours of walking from Puerto Canoa, and is a real fitness test due to the dense vegetation and strong slope of the track.
• Trail to Paimún refuge (1,700 m): a 5-hour climb from the start of the trail.

Tromen area (at the foot of Lanín Volcano)

• Trail to the "Mirador" (Vantage Point): You get a view of Tromen Lake and Lanín Volcano. Duration: 30-45 minutes one way, low-difficulty level trekking.
• Trail to the source of the Malleo River and Tromen Lake: to the lake, the distance is 4 km, at low difficulty level.

The following circuits of the Tromen area offer medium to high difficulty level, because of this, you must previously know about this area or be accompanied on your trek by an authorized Park Administration guide.

• Quillén trail along the Las Magdalenas Valley: the trek is along an old, abandoned wagon trail through intermediary valleys, araucaria forests and high mallines. Total distance is approximately 50 km and it takes 2 or 3 days.
• Huechulafquen trail: the trek is along the slopes of Lanín Volcano, crossing it at an altitude of about 2,000 m. It lasts two days, and takes you to Puerto Canoas, on the western tip of Lake Huechulafquen.
• Ascent of Lanín Volcano: the trail leaves from the vicinity of the park ranger's cabin where the climbing gear to be used is checked. You are recommended to obtain information from National Park officers before attempting this climb.

Villa Quila Quina Area

• Trail to the carbonated water spring: access is from the jetty of the Villa on a vehicle roadway, leaves you at a distance of some 800 m to the spring.
• Trail to the Arroyo Grande Rapids: a foot track takes you 500 m from the access to the Villa up to the rapids. If you follow the stream, it willl lead you through forests of oak, cypress and coihue.
• Interpreted El Cipresal trail: it leaves from the banks of the Arroyo Grande, near its ending mouth. It crosses a venerable cypress forest, with a sign posted description of the importance of the local vegetation to mankind. The length of the trail is about 800 m.

Lácar - Queñi Area
Arrayán Circuit: 22 km long, with gorgeous views of Lake Lácar and the hills bordering San Martin de los Andes.
Catritre Beach: 4 km from San Martin de los Andes, arrives at a campsite with nautical sport facilities.