Lican Ray
Lican Ray is a nice little town on the shores of Lake Calafquen with fine sandy beaches. In summer there are plenty of restaurants, rent-a-boat and discos, whereas in winter it's very quiet. The walks on the Peninsula offer beautiful views across the lake, and the sunsets from there are simply spectacular. There are frequent buses to/from Villarrica.
Coñaripe
Coñaripe is at the far end of the lake, also with excellent beaches. The future trek "Sendero de Chile", which is almost covering the entire length of Chile, is crossing the town. On the way there you pass the impressive lava field at Pucura, formed by an eruption dating from the 1970s.
Getting there
There are plenty of minibuses going to Lican Ray and Coñaripe, the busride takes only 30 minutes. If you want to visit the Lavafield at Pucura, get off at the turnoff to Challupen or simply ask the driver for "La corriente de lava en Pucura". The lava field is 2 km up the gravel road.
Bike ride
For those bikers preferring paved roads, the ride to Lican Ray is a medium to hard one. The first part is flat, but then it is hilly, including a 3 km long climb and a steep downhill into Lican Ray.
| Level | Medium - hard |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 - 5 hrs |
| Distance | 54 km |
| Alt. gain | 700 m |