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 Estimated reading time: 1 min. |
 Karina Jozami  Santiago Gaudio |
As soon as we arrived at Eco Traful's office, Néstor “Ruso” Grez invited us to go on a tour around the lake. It was a splendid windy afternoon, and we were eager to sail around this beautiful water mirror which occupies 75 km2 and is 220 meters deep. It is located at approximately 760 meters above sea level. But the charm of Traful lies in the places we were to visit.
As we were sailing, Néstor told us all the details about the geological changes which gave origin to the lake and the surrounding mountain range. The whole area was covered with glaciers which gradually withdraw as the mountain range emerged. After forming the lake, the Traful northern branch continued undermining the glaciers which reached up to 200 meters above sea level. |
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We got to the opposite end of the pier and observed the small trunks sticking out from the surface. The lake crystal greenish blue waters let us see the submerged sculptural trees clearly. They stood impassive before the movement of water and the passing of time. A bit more than 100 years ago, an avalanche devastated this natural cypress forest which was growing on Mount Bayo's slopes. These 20 meter-high cypresses came to the lake depths and remained aground for ever.
We sailed around on the boat over and over again to discover new shapes drawn by the branches. Unquestionably, the submerged forest is one of the most valuable corner for divers who dare to tour the cold Andean waters.
At sunset, we decided to continue our walk skirting the shore to the natural caves. In one of them, specially decorated with wild flowers, there was a small chapel cracked on the rock, with a beautiful sculpture of Virgin Stella Maris. |
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Patron Saint of Fishermen
Surrounded by bright aljabas, the small Virgin keeps alive the history of one of the first settlers of the village. Austrian Walter Overbeeke fell in love with the place and decided to settle down and set up the first small hotel in Traful: The fisherman corner, remodeled and with a new name.
There, Overbeeke placed the Virgin Stella Maris, which had been brought from Italy for the Mar del Plata naval command, but eventually it was sent to one of the caves in Lake Traful. Since 1973, and thanks to Walter and his wife Margot, the Virgin rules over the lake and is visited by tourists and local people who come to honor Her and ask for Her protection. |
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After contemplating Her for some time, we started our way back. This time, even though the storm clouds were behind us, we crossed the water mirror towards the vantage point, at the base of Mount Carpa. Thus, we saw the vantage point from below, but later, we would be above. |
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from 10.30 am to 04.30 pm, every 2 hours approximately. |
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for those who dare, underwater tours will be possible as from 2007. |
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