O'Higgins/San Martín Lake, Glacial lake in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina and Aysén Region, Chile
O'Higgins/San Martín Lake spans across 1,058 square kilometers between Argentina and Chile, featuring characteristic milky light-blue waters from suspended rock flour.
European settlers from Britain, Scandinavia, and Switzerland established sheep farming communities near the lake during the 1910s, focusing on wool production.
The lake carries names of two independence leaders who guided their nations to freedom: José de San Martín of Argentina and Bernardo O'Higgins of Chile.
Visitors can reach the lake by driving south from Puerto Aysén along Route 7 to Cochrane, then following Route X-72 to access various viewpoints.
At 836 meters deep, this binational lake stands as the deepest freshwater body in the Americas, receiving water from both O'Higgins and Chico glaciers.
Location: Santa Cruz
Location: Aysén Region
Elevation above the sea: 285 m
GPS coordinates: -48.83333,-72.60000
Latest update: April 14, 2025 11:38
Patagonia extends across the southern reaches of Chile and Argentina, encompassing a range of natural landscapes from active glaciers to volcanic peaks. The region presents a mixture of ice, stone and water, with national parks protecting thousands of square miles of undeveloped terrain. The land was shaped by glacial processes that left deep valleys, lakes and dramatic mountain formations. The collection includes prominent locations across both countries. In Argentina, Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre rise above the valley of El Chaltén, while Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few ice formations worldwide that continues to advance. Los Alerces National Park protects ancient alerce trees that have stood for millennia. On the Chilean side, the Marble Caves at General Carrera Lake form carved rock structures, Queulat Hanging Glacier feeds waterfalls, and the towers of Torres del Paine define one of South America's most recognizable mountain landscapes. San Rafael Lagoon provides access to tidewater glaciers, while remote protected areas such as Kawésqar National Park and Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park preserve extensive temperate rainforests. Historical sites like Cave of Hands display prehistoric rock art.
Los Glaciares National Park
133.1 km
Carretera Austral
100.7 km
Southern Patagonian Ice Field
88.3 km
Perito Moreno National Park
116.7 km
Upsala Glacier
114.2 km
Villa O'Higgins
40.7 km
Viedma Glacier
82.1 km
Caleta Tortel
134 km
Brüggen Glacier
110.7 km
Cerro San Lorenzo
139.9 km
Volcán Lautaro
69.4 km
O'Higgins Glacier
48.2 km
Aguja Poincenot
59.2 km
Viedma
81.4 km
Aguja Saint Exupery
59.9 km
Jorge Montt Glacier
84.2 km
Bernardo Glacier
92.8 km
Huemul Glacier
34.8 km
Lago del Desierto Provintial Reserve
36.6 km
Puesto Arbilla
43.2 km
Cerro Huemul
72.9 km
Calluqueo Glacier
139.6 km
Chaltén Mountain Range Natural Site
60 km
Cerro Roma
139.9 km
Eyre Fjord
123.8 km
Mitchell Fjord
111.5 km
Onelli glacier
140.7 km
Loma Del Pliegue Tumbado
64.4 kmReviews
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