Trail to Laguna Negra

Gustavo Santos, Sendas y Bosques

    Duration: half day
    Dificulty: low.
    Season: November to March.
    Ranger: In lake Quillén.
    Signs: There are no sign-boards along the trail, but since it is an open landscape, it is easily followed.
    Equipment: light. It is advisable to wear waterproof shoes, since swampy areas are likely to be crossed.
    Start: 45 km. from Aluminé, and only 45 minutes walk from Quillén Ranger Station of Lanín National Park is Lefimán settlement. Tre trail is easily found if you follow the wire fence on the left of the group of houses.

    ONLY ROUTE:
    From Lefimán settlement to Laguna Negra. Time: 2 hours.
    The trail runs through the valley of Malalco stream. They are swampy pasturelands with many cattle traces which may be misleading, for what we recommend you take the trail at the foot of the mountain range on the left.

You will be surprised to see rabbits crossing tre trail.
In the valley there is no forest, but only michay, ñire and some solitary araucarias. On the hillsides on the left cypresses are easily recognized for their conical shape and light green tone.

    In one hour you can skirt lake Los Juncos, habitat of an important variety of birds. If we get a little closer and have a little pacience, we may even see a coypou.
    After the first lake the trail runs close to the stream, and then passes through an area eroded by the water, a type of erosion typical of craggy slopes not protected by the forest. From there to Laguna Negra there are but a few minutes.
    This lagoon, as well as the previous one, is actually a swamp covered by the water in spring. It is important to bear this in mind so as not to walk past. Aquatic birds nesting in the area such as kelp geese and bandurias can be observed.

    RETURN: through the same trail.