The Seven Lakes Route is one of the most popular driving routes in Araucanía: it connects, in a single day, seven different lakes between the towns of Villarrica, Pucón and Panguipulli, crossing native forest with constant views of the area's volcanoes.
The lakes along the way
The route includes Lakes Villarrica, Calafquén, Panguipulli, Riñihue, Pullinque, Neltume and Pirihueico, each with its own character: some ringed by black volcanic-sand beaches, others much wilder with less tourist infrastructure, ideal for travelers looking to escape the more crowded circuit.
How to plan it
The full loop takes a full day of driving, usually starting and ending in Pucón or Villarrica, though it can also be split over two days if you want to spend a night in Panguipulli or Coñaripe, roughly halfway through. The route can be done without a guided tour, since the roads are well marked and drivable in a regular car.
The route is best driven in your own or a rental car: we compare where to rent and what foreigners need in our guide to car rental in Chile.
