Tour of Volcanic Sand and Thermae
Curruhue Lake
Going from Junin de los Andes to the South (towards San Martin de los Andes, for example) on Route 234. A little before crossing the Curruhue River, turn right on Route 62 (see map). 30 km afterwards approximately you will arrive to Little Curruhue Lake, which has camping areas on its shores. Five kilometers afterwards you will see Big Curruhue Lake in a valley that goes on for about 13 kilometers, surrounded by an impenetrable forest of Nothofagus that in autumn have amazing colors.
The water of this lake is transparent, with a greenish look, and small waves caused by the winds of the West and Southwest. Also, there’s an ancient forest of Araucarias (Pehuen), with trees almost three thousand years old.
Total of the journey from Junin de los Andes to Lake Curruhue and back: 90 km
Green Lagoon
Going along the same route through a beautiful, though a little dangerous, path that gets in a leafy forests, 55 kilometers away from Junin de los Andes and in the Northwest of Big Curruhue Lake, you will get to the Green Lagoon. Unique for its low shores and extensive beaches; there’s an agrestic camping and you will be able to observe a curious formation called Escorial. It is really lava that run along an old glacier valley. The surface of lava is said to be “escoriada” (jagged). Its longitude is of about 7,5 km, with a maximum width of 2,5 km and a minimum one of 110 mts, that empties into Lake Epulafquen.
Total of the journey from Junin de los Andes to the Green Lagoon and back: 110 km
Epulafquen Thermae
To get to the Lahuen Co or Epulafquen Thermae you need to take Route 62, 64 kilometers away from Junin de los Andes. For those who want to enjoy of the thermal waters, there are baths with basic installations and the option to stay in an organized camping. The thermae are in a little valley of glaciar origin, in which the Oconi River flows.
22 thermal fountains have been studied, on a surface of nearly 5 hectares.
The water slopes make circular wells of 2 mts of diameter approximately. There are two groups on both sides of the river. And, not long from the thermae, still going on Route 62, you can get to the Carriñe International Crossing (Green cane), that can only be used in the summer. The closest Chilean cities are: Liquiñe, Coñaripe and Lican Ray
Total of the journey from Junin de los Andes to the Thermae and back: 132 km.