Tinquilco Lake, Glacial lake in Huerquehue National Park, Pucón, Chile
Tinquilco Lake is a glacial lake in Huerquehue National Park situated at about 700 meters elevation and drained by the Quinchol River system. It forms the gateway to a hiking route that connects several interconnected water bodies throughout the park.
The lake was formed through glacial processes during the last ice age as part of a broader network of water bodies in the Araucanía region. This glacial activity shaped the landscape and created the interconnected system of lakes we see today.
Mapuche communities have deep roots in this territory and maintain their traditional practices in connection with the landscape. The lake and surrounding forests remain part of their way of life and spiritual relationship with nature.
The lake marks the start of a hiking route through the park that connects several lakes and takes several hours to complete. Visitors should be prepared for changing mountain weather and terrain that ranges from forest trails to higher elevations.
The lake basin is home to one of the largest Coihue trees in the country, standing among forests that remain minimally disturbed by human activity. This ancient tree represents a rare example of the native vegetation that once covered the region more widely.
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