Majestic Volcán Lanín
It was a magical start to the year visiting Volcán Lanín on New Year's Day (2024). You’ll find this wonder an hour and a half drive north of San Martin de los Andes. With an elevation reaching 3,747m, the peak becomes visible on the horizon long before you enter the Parque Nacional Lanín within which it resides straddling the border between Chile and Argentina. Parque Nacional Lanín sits on Mapuche land and the indigenous Mapuche people co-manage the park. During our approach, the setting moon treated us to breathtaking views at every turn.
If you are driving up from San Martin de los Andes once you pass Junin there are no places to stop for snacks or petrol so plan accordingly. The last 20 minutes of the approach takes you into Parque Nacional Lanín on unpaved, boneshaking roads through a forest of araucaria, also known as monkey puzzle trees. On arrival at the visitors centre at the base of the volcano there is a small visitors centre, toilets and food hut selling basic warm snacks. Don’t rely on this foot hut however as the open times might vary and you’ll definitely need water and substantial snacks or lunch to keep you going!
In the visitors centre, usually open 8am - 8pm, you’ll find information about the volcano and the surrounding park including the animals and insects which inhabit the environment. There are also examples of different types of volcanic rock which was a great way to teach our children a bit more about volcanos. The guide will also provide information on the walking routes. To summit the volcano you need 3 days and the right equipment (you have to show this at the visitors centre before setting off). Whilst the view of the volcano was certainly enchanting we knew for us that with two little ones heading to the summit would be out of the question. However we were keen to reach the foot of the volcano to get a clear view of the peak beyond the forest which sits between the visitors centre and the volcano.
To be honest, I wasn't sure if those with shorter legs would handle the route to the base; it's always tricky to gauge before actually seeing the trail! In reality, the path proved to be a very gentle climb, easy underfoot, allowing even our 18-mo nth-old to confidently navigate the terrain. Keep an eye out for lizards along the way; you'll often hear them rustling before you spot them! Around 25 minutes into our adventure, we reached a fork in the path, opting for the right-hand route that swiftly led us to the base of the volcano. The view was absolutely worth it, truly awe-inspiring to witness the volcano up close, and we were fortunate to have a clear blue sky.
All in all, the hike to the base took an hour and a half, including the time we spent capturing photos and spotting lizards. We had allocated an entire day for Parque Nacional, so after returning to the car park, we hopped into the car and took a short, 5-minute drive to the shores of Lago Tromen.
To access the lake, you need to pass a barrier. Simply inform the visitors' center of your intention to head to the lake, and they will let you through. A stony beach stretches along one side of the lake from the small car park. Shallow, glacial streams carry water to the lake, providing a perfect play area for little ones. We spent an hour playing pooh sticks and building bridges with the driftwood we found. For the daring, a dip in the lake is exhilarating—though brace yourself, as signs warn that the water is cold and deep!
A trip to Volcan Lanin and Lago Tromen is well worth the drive; we returned home with broad smiles and the majestic image of the impressive volcano etched into our memories. It was a fabulous start to 2024.
Did you know? The volcano is still considered ‘active’ however the last eruption was over 10,000 years ago. Lanin comes from a Mapuche word meaning ‘died of overeating’.
