Los Giles Lagoon and Lake Pulmari

Santiago Gaudio

Leaving from Villa Pehuenia along Provincial Route Nº 23 towards the South, after 50km. you will find a forking where you take Provincial Route Nº 11. Turn right and go along a consolidated road towards one of the most beautiful circuits with a diversity of landscapes you will be marvelled at.

After skirting the river Pulmarí you will find a small lagoon called De Los Giles, where Spinning and Fly Fishing are practised, but sailing is not allowed. It is also possible to go hiking or horse riding in the area, and on the same road you will find the first organized camping site called El Fatima on the right of the river Pulmarí.
From the road you can see lake Pulmarí 32 km. from Aluminé. It has a surface of 1.6 km² and is emplaced among mountains, with low coasts, wide swamps and araucaria forests mingled with cipresses.

The perfectly transparent water produces a grey effect on the surface as it drains to the homonym river. There are four rocky islets with araucarias which stand out in the middle of the lake.
As regards fauna, kelp geese and wild ducks can be found.

    If you want to have a better view of these natural beauties, you can climb Piedra Pintada, where there are some rock paintings as an evidence of the existence of old human groups living in the area.
    From there you can observe the lake, and on the north coast the building of Cabañas Miles.
    Then you access to Lanín National Park in Ñorquinco area, between the gateway and the limit of the park.

    Pulmarí river is born in Lake Ñorquinco and runs to the west. A few kilometers after crossing the homonym lake, it flows into the river Aluminé next to Provincial route Nº 11.