Caviahue – Lake, Waterfalls and Volcanic Landscapes

Caviahue brings together Lake Caviahue, waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and trails for different seasons. The town lies on the lake’s western shore and is the closest settlement to Parque Provincial Copahue. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Caviahue, you can choose what to focus on during your stay: walking and trekking trails, activities on the water or winter sports each offer a different side of the destination.

Waterfalls and forest trails

Cascada Escondida lies west of Caviahue; the trail starts on the road toward the ski resort. The 1,800-metre route passes through a forest of lengas, araucarias and ñires. In summer, it can be hiked; in winter, it can be explored on snowshoes. The route’s length and forest setting give the outing its own character, without providing a basis for estimating how long the walk takes.

Laguna Escondida is also a destination for nature lovers: the small natural lagoon lies beyond the town and offers views of Caviahue, Lake Caviahue and Copahue Volcano. From the tourist information office, reach the trailhead by taking 8 de Abril Street to Volcán Copahue Street. In summer, the route leads to the lagoon as a trekking trail; in winter, you can use snowshoes, touring skis or snowmobiles. This gives you a choice of different ways to reach the same destination, depending on the season.

Cascadas del Agrio lies near Caviahue. The loop trail is approximately 1.5 kilometres long; the waterfalls are 500 metres from the tourist information office. The signposted trail can be hiked in summer. In winter, snowshoes and guided cross-country or touring skis are options. The waterfalls were shaped over millions of years by volcanic processes and glaciation. The headwaters of the Río Agrio and its tributaries lie in Parque Provincial Copahue, where several waterfalls can be found between the rivers.

Lakeside trails and winter activities

The trail to the 7 Cascadas starts where the Río Agrio flows into Lake Caviahue. From there, it climbs southwest through basalt formations. If you’re looking for a route with a clearly described climb and volcanic terrain, you’ll find a different kind of trail here than on the forest path to Cascada Escondida. Registration is mandatory for the ascent to Copahue Volcano. This applies to guides, visitors, residents and researchers.

Kayaking and windsurfing are available on Lake Caviahue within the protected area. Cerro Caviahue Ski Resort has 22 ski runs across 325 hectares of skiable terrain. Throughout the season, the Escuela de Ski & Snowboard de Caviahue Ski Resort offers private and group ski and snowboard lessons for five or more people, for all ages and skill levels. So Caviahue can be explored not only through hiking and nature trails, but also through activities on the lake and in the snow.

When choosing a holiday apartment or house, you can consider which experiences you want to make the focus of your stay.

For the broader travel overview: Departamento Ñorquín.