Coyhaique, Wednesday 10th 2010f March 2010 10:33:29 AM
Coyhaique, Capital de la Patagonia Occidental
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VISIT COYHAIQUE
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This is a route of incomparable beauty of the area of transition of Lenga forest and steppe. Here you will find awesome lakes from glacial origins which allow a great fishing. There are huts to stay and boat service.

Frio, Pollux and Castor Lakes

These lakes are located in the way South orient from Coyhaique, through a good way, not pavement, that can be crossed by any sort of vehicle during Summer and Spring. They possess beautiful landscapes that are the ideal of any enthusiast photographer. In the three lakes there is an abundant fishing of the Trucha Arcoiris.


Paloma, Azul and Desierto Lakes

These lakes are located 42 kilometers South from Coyhaique, in the middle of mountains and deep falls. They are visited specially by people fond of fishing or just by those who prefer peace and solitude surrounded by the nature. There is a shelter, from the Hunt and Fishing Club, specially conditioned to be used by families or institutions who may go to visit it and do different activities.

Elizalde Lake

It is located 33 kilometers far from Coyhaique. It has a length of 25 kilometers and goes through Lengas and Coigues of unique beauty. It is a paradise for fishers since it is abundant in truchas.



Atravesado Lake

It is located 25 kilometers from Coyhaique. Despite of being small, it is very attractive by its corners of amazing beauty.


Dos Lagunas Natural Monument

By the road that gets to Coyhaique Alto, 22 kilometers from the city, it is located El Toro Lagoon. It has a small beach and sites specially for camping or picnic. By the same road, 4 kilometers approximately, it is located Escondida Lagoon. It also permits nice excursions and the observation of silvestre fauna.



De la Luna Valley

Observing the valley from a high place, it seems to be an isolated moon scene. It has got an extension of 30.000 acres formed by Coiron and rocky formations. In the middle of this huge valley there is a river called Ñirehuao. In small lagoons you can observe huge avutardas and caiquenes (silvestre gooses), black neck gooses and pink flamencos. De la Luna Valley is located 68 kilometers far from Coyhaique, one-hour trip. Ñirehuao river provides a great amount of Trucha Marron,. The season goes from October to March.



El Fraile Ski center

It is located 29 kilometers from Coyhaique, at an altitude of 1.599 kilometers over sea level. It is a place visited specially for those who love skiing. It has five areas of awesome characteristics, covered by dust snow and located in the middle of Lenga , Pino and Ñire forests, with a surface of 550 acres. All theses allows to more than 1.000 people to practice this sport.



Road from Balmaceda to Coyhaique

The way from Coyhaique to Balmaceda is quite attractive. You first go through the “Gran Muralla China”, a rocky formation of great similarities. Then appears Foitzick lagoon with its silvestre ducks, caiquenes and other fauna species. Pollux lake offers a great waterfall of about 20 meters, called “El salto”. Continuing down South, appears El Blanco. This village was founded spontaneously by the citizens in 1917.

It is located only 4 kilometers far from the border with Argentina and it is today the main airport of the region.


How to get to the lakes Frio, Pollux and Castor

KM. 00 : From Coyhaique by Simpson avenue, turn right to cross over Simpson river, observing Piedra del Indio.

KM. 04: Deviation to aerodrome Teniente Vidal. Turn left.

KM. 16: Deviation to the area of Seis Lagunas. It is recommended to go right so as to visit Lago Atravesado, 4 kilometers far, which offers a great fishing in the middle of a landscape full of mountains and forests. Go back to the deviation and turn right through a road surrounded by forests and valleys in which appears Seis Lagunas giving the name to the area.

KM. 25: In this place it is suggested to turn right so as to visit Elizalde Lake. This offers a great attractive because of its mountain landscape. It is very visited by sport fishers due to its well-known abundance of truchas of great size. Go 10 kilometers far until a pretty waterfall by the road. The place is accurate for the photography and excursions. Go back by the same route until kilometer 25 where it is located the small village of Villa Frei, to continue the road until crossing Valle Simpson and finally connect to Coyhaique.

Km. 33: Turn left and go 2 kilometers to see Pollux river.

Km. 46: On the left side Laguna Fotzick is located. In this place, it is possible to observe a wide variety of avifauna (silvestre ducks, taguas, cauquenes and in some seasons beautiful black neck gooses).

Km. 53: Entrance to Coyhaique, through Ogana Avenue until Simpson street, turn right and then left through Lillo street until the square.

Km. 00: Exit from Coyhaique through Ogana Avenue passing by Laguna Foitzick in Kilometer 7.

Km. 15: Deviation through the lakes Frio, Pollux and Castor. Turn left and then in kilometer 19, deviation to Ski center El Fraile, take right route.

Km. 20: Deviation to Lago Frio. It is suggested to visit it stopping every 4 kilometers. It offers a great fishing and beautiful landscapes. Go back until the deviation and turn left.

Km. 31: Pollux Lake, of higher surface than Frio lake, it also offers good fishing and excellent places for picnic and camping surrounded by Lenga and Ñire forests.

Km. 38: The most oriental of the three. Its west coast limited with Argentina, it gives a great alternative for fishing and excursions. The three lakes can be sealed by small engine ships.

Km. 51: Connection with the international road to Argentina. Turn left, and then in 19 kilometers you will reach Coyhaique by Baquedano avenue.



Municipality of Coyhaique - Francisco Bilbao 357 - Telephone Pulls Power station: (56-67) 213105
Coyhaique - Chile