This time I was travelling alone around the backroads in Araucania Region. Like most of our trips, this one had been in the back of my mind for quite a while. It is an old route that runs parallel and only a few Kilometers away from the border with Argentina, following the valley of the powerful Maichin river to the Reigolil valley, in the land of the Mapuche-Pewenche people.
The road is hard, rolling up and down steep slopes. Its late march, the hot, dry season. Winter would be snow and isolation for most of the indigenous families in this remote valley.
From Reigolil, begins the real treat: a long descent through the rainforest into Playa Negra, in the wild side of Lake Caburgua.
10 Km up, almost with no energy at this point, is the little known San Sebastian Hot springs, accomodations and food are simple but most welcome.
The second journey is also long, but mostly flat, around Colico Lake and then through a maze of farm roads back to my wooden cabin near Pucon, right where I started.
kmz here
The Maichín joins the Trancura at Curarrehue
The road to Reigolil
Roky formation and waterfall near Reigolil
Towards Cochor, among the araucaria trees. Solipulli volcano ahead.
Huerquehue National Park: a rare view from the north
Wooden tub: San Sebastian hot springs
The northern banks of Caburgua Lake: Playa Negra
Lake Caburgua and Volcan Villarrica: an unusual postcard.
Lake Colico
the old country roads back to Villarrica
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