- Saltos del Petrohué (Petrohué Falls) — Staggering turquoise water rushing through volcanic rock inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. It’s the best place in the region to see glacial-fed water color against the backdrop of the Osorno/Calbuco volcanoes; short walks and boat connections to the rest of the park make it easy to visit in a day.
- Lago Llanquihue & Puerto Varas — A huge, mirror-like lake with postcard views of Osorno Volcano and a compact, friendly town whose German-style houses, bakeries and lakeside walks feel very local. Stay a night in Puerto Varas, rent a bike and follow the shoreline for unbeatable sunset photos and cheap empanadas.
- Volcán Osorno — The classic cone that defines the Lake District skyline; you can hike, ski (seasonal) or take the chairlift for panoramic
- Saltos del Petrohué (Petrohué Falls) — Staggering turquoise water rushing through volcanic rock inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. It’s the best place in the region to see glacial-fed water color against the backdrop of the Osorno/Calbuco volcanoes; short walks and boat connections to the rest of the park make it easy to visit in a day.
- Lago Llanquihue & Puerto Varas — A huge, mirror-like lake with postcard views of Osorno Volcano and a compact, friendly town whose German-style houses, bakeries and lakeside walks feel very local. Stay a night in Puerto Varas, rent a bike and follow the shoreline for unbeatable sunset photos and cheap empanadas.
- Volcán Osorno — The classic cone that defines the Lake District skyline; you can hike, ski (seasonal) or take the chairlift for panoramic views over a string of lakes. The volcanic landscape and easy access make it a region-defining climb that you won’t replicate elsewhere.
- Frutillar and the German heritage concerts — A tidy lakeside town known for wooden houses, cakes (kuchen) and a high-quality music scene centered around dramatic lakeside concerts. Even if you don’t catch a festival, the combination of architecture, views and live music is uniquely Lake District.
- Islas and Churches of Chiloé (Castro’s palafitos & Iglesia San Francisco) — Stilt houses in Castro and the wooden parish churches scattered across the island (several UNESCO-listed) are a cultural landscape you can’t find anywhere else in Chile. Trilingual markets, mythic local folklore and seafood prepared in Chilote style make Chiloé a cultural highlight, not just a photo stop.
- Angelmó Market, Puerto Montt — A chaotic, salty seafood market where fishermen offload catches and cooks bend over steamer pots. Eat fresh ceviche, try curanto-style shellfish or buy hand-carved souvenirs — it’s the most honest way to taste the region’s maritime culture.
- Cochamó Valley (Hidden gem) — Granite walls, lush temperate rainforest and multi-day trekking routes often likened to a Chilean Yosemite, but without the crowds. It’s my personal favorite: long approaches, basic campsites, and wild granite face scenery make it a brilliant place to get off-grid and feel like you’re discovering the Lake District.
- Peulla & Lake Todos los Santos boat trip (Hidden gem) — A short, scenic ferry across impossibly green water to a tiny mountain village surrounded by rainforest and waterfalls. Peulla’s short hikes, hot springs nearby, and quiet guesthouses are a peaceful contrast to the more touristed lakeshore towns.
- Termas de Puyehue (Puyehue Hot Springs) — Natural thermal pools set against volcanic slopes where you can soak in mineral-rich water after a day of hiking. The volcanic activity that feeds these baths is core to the Lake District experience — relaxing in them with snow or rainforest views is very regional.
- Alerce Andino National Park (Hidden gem) — One of the best places to see ancient alerce trees (Chile’s giant, slow-growing conifers) in a damp, mossy forest that feels primeval. Trails are quieter than the main parks and the presence of those massive, living “age records” is a distinctly southern-lakes encounter.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
v2.webp)











Best Backpacking
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.