Lake Meliquina

Located just over 30 kilometers from San Martín de los Andes, Lake Meliquina emerges as one of the best-kept secrets of the Patagonian Lake District. This body of water, framed by the towering Andes Mountains and dense forests of coihue, lenga, and ñire trees, offers a total disconnection experience that contrasts with the bustle of more traditional tourist destinations. Its name, which in the Mapuche language means “four corners,” accurately describes the geography of a site where nature manifests with breathtaking purity.

The journey to the lake is an attraction in itself. After leaving the legendary Route 40 at the Río Hermoso spot, the path heads into Provincial Route 63, a gravel road that winds through mountains and offers panoramic views of the valley. Upon reaching the eastern head of the lake, visitors find Villa Lago Meliquina, a settlement born in the 1980s on lands belonging to the former estate of the Steverlynck family. What began as a pioneering development has transformed today into a model of sustainable coexistence and respect for the environment.

The village is distinguished by its low environmental impact philosophy. Being an off-grid town, it lacks conventional public services such as wired electricity or natural gas. Its residents and tourism businesses rely on renewable energy, primarily solar and wind power, and manage their own water supply through boreholes or natural springs. This unique characteristic, combined with the lack of mobile phone signal, reinforces the atmosphere of a solitary refuge and absolute peace. The commitment to conservation extends to waste management under a “zero waste” policy, which encourages visitors to take their own trash back with them to preserve the cleanliness of this fragile ecosystem.

Lake Meliquina is the undisputed star of the landscape. Its pebble beaches and transparent waters are ideal for summer enjoyment, whether for relaxing under the sun or practicing water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, taking advantage of the constant winds in the area. For sport fishing enthusiasts, the Meliquina River, which flows from the lake and through the valley, is an internationally renowned destination. Its waters are home to rainbow and brown trout, challenging fly fishermen seeking catches in an environment of unparalleled beauty.

Meliquina’s strategic location allows the village to serve as a base for exploring other regional treasures. Continuing east along Route 63, one reaches the spectacular Paso del Córdoba, famous for its eroded rock formations that look like natural castles. Nearby are also the Pozones del Caleufú, deep crystal-clear pools perfect for swimming, and Lake Filo Hua Hum, another corner of Patagonian quietude that retains its wild character. Visiting Lake Meliquina is, ultimately, an invitation to reconnect with the essential, enjoying local hospitality and a natural world that remains, against all odds, in its most genuine state.