QuilaQuina Romance – Patagonia Argentina
Quila Quina is not an easy place to find. Unless you stop by the quaint little town of San Martin de los Andes that is nestled between the high reaching Andes mountains and lakes of Patagonia, it is not likely that you will even hear of Villa Quila Quina. Quila Quina is just a jump, skip and hop away from San Martin but is virtually unknown. This however, is one of its most redeeming characteristics. I can’t imagine a better place to spend a relaxed day soaking in the beautiful nature.
Quila Quina sits right on Lake Lácar where one begins their journey along the ‘7 Lake Crossing’ in Patagonia. Although it is possible to drive there, or even bike for those who are more ambitious, I would recommend jumping aboard one of the boats that leaves from the beach on the east side of town of San Martin on a regular schedule. There is a navigation company that makes four trips a day to and from Quila Quina for 30 pesos. You can buy your tickets in the office situated right on the docks and jump on board. The quick 35 minute boat ride provides fantastic views and as you dock on the other side of the lake, it feels as if you have landed on some secret island of the indigneous Mapuches.
Right by the dock you will have an opportunity to purchase hand made crafts from the locals, and possibly enjoy a light snack at a new cafe that was just being built while I was there. But once you abandon the others from the boat and begin to adventure around the small community, it is likely that you will not see any other visitors while there.
Argentina Travel
Area Lacar – Quila Quina
Ubicacion
Lugares del recorrido
18 km – Paraje Quila Quina 26 km – Lago Escondido
Descripción del paseo Quila Quina
La Villa Quila Quina se ubica a tan solo 18 kilómetros de la ciudad, sobre la margen sur del lago Lácar. Se trata de un conjunto de casas residenciales que tienen su origen en el loteo que la Administración de Parques Nacionales llevara a cabo en el año 1942 de las tierras que, apenas cinco años, expropiara a los pobladores originarios (mapuches) con motivo de la creación del Parque Nacional Lanín.
De esta manera, y mientras Usted sigue tratando de entender qué sucedió (encontrará ayuda al respecto en Historia ) desde el punto de vista turístico es nuestra obligación insistirle que no deje de visitarla.
El circuito comienza tomando la ruta nacional 234 (Ruta de los Siete Lagos) para, luego de cinco kilómetros disfrutando de las vistas del lago Lácar, encontrar a la derecha la entrada al balneario Catritre (una extensa bahía con playas de arena, un camping organizado, un camping agreste, restaurante y área de picnic) y un kilómetro más adelante, también a la derecha, el desvío que conduce a Quila Quina.
Camino a Quila Quina
El camino, de ripio consolidado, sinuoso y de montaña, asciende desde los 640 metros sobre el nivel del mar hasta los 900 metros, mientras el bosque de robles domina la escena y empiezan a aparecer las primeras casas de los pobladores, con sus cercos de palos, corrales con chivos y ovejas, huertas y el humo de las cocinas económicas escapando por las chimeneas.
Es importante tener extrema precaución al volante ya que en buena parte el trayecto se angosta demasiado.
Espléndidas vistas del cordón montañoso y el lago extendiéndose allí abajo lo acompañarán en el descenso. Encontrará dos miradores naturales en los cuales podrá estacionar y maravillarse ante la vista panorámica de la Villa, sus playas, el muelle con las lanchas, el arroyo Grande y el graznido de las bandurrias cruzando el cielo. Aproveche para descansar del volante, camine un poco y elija alguna de las artesanías en madera que los niños (ellos mismos las hacen) le ofrecen en el puesto ubicado a la vera del camino.
Quila Quina
Antes de ingresar a la Villa propiamente dicha, a mano izquierda verá un estacionamiento y el ingreso a la cascada del Arroyo Grande, distante a unos 500 metros por un sendero de fácil tránsito peatonal. Ubicada en tierras de la comunidad mapuche, los guías lo acompañarán a conocerla ( $ 5 el acceso por persona) ofreciéndole también productos elaborados por ellos en lana y madera, dulces caseros y otras artesanías.
Apenas continúe la marcha encontrará cartelera informativa de los servicios del lugar (camping organizado con restaurante, camping agreste, área recreativa diurna, y el muelle con confitería, servicios sanitarios y alquiler de actividades náuticas). Quila Quina es una península, y el camino vehicular permite recorrerla en apenas tres kilómetros. Si no tiene impedimento físico, caminar es la mejor forma de disfrutarla a pleno, por lo que nos atrevemos a sugerirle dejar el auto estacionado en el muelle y lanzarse a la aventura.
Caminando por el bosque de robles
De espaldas al lago, tome a la derecha. Primero podrá descansar en el mirador del cerro Abanico; un cartel explicativo le permitirá comprender la formación de este particular macizo rocoso y aspectos relacionados a la geología local.
La escuelita rural de la comunidad mapuche (ciclo lectivo setiembre/mayo), playa La Puntilla, retamas y robles, lo acompañarán hasta la entrada al sendero natural El Cipresal (media hora de recorrido, 400 metros de distancia) dónde conocerá la importancia de una de las tres coníferas del parque nacional Lanín.
Al final, verá el puente sobre el arroyo Grande y el camino que lleva hacia las áreas de acampe y el resto de las casas de los pobladores (considérelo una etapa “extra” que implica una hora de caminata, consulte en los campings cómo llegar).
Si lo prefiere, inicie desde allí el regreso tomando a la izquierda. Durante el recorrido verá algunas de las casas residenciales características de la urbanización de la Villa, la seccional del guardaparque, y una extensa alameda que bordea el camino, para llegar nuevamente al lago luego de aproximadamente 700 metros.
Aproveche para recuperar aliento hurgando entre las artesanías de los puestos ubicados en el muelle, dónde encontrará –además de las clásicas cucharas en madera- originales productos como frutos secos para infusión, platería y hasta cuchillos encabados en astas de ciervo totalmente artesanales.
Puede olvidarse del mundo sentado en la arena de la extensa playa, y luego de un chapuzón en las aguas del balneario visitar la fuente de agua mineral carbonatada naturalmente, un interesante fenómeno geológico que se complementa con nuevas panorámicas de la villa y el lago.
Fuente: San Martin de los Andes.gov.ar
Description Tour: Quila Quina
Villa Quila Quina is located just 18 kilometres from the city on the Southern coast of Lácar Lake. You will find some residential houses which have their origin in the division into lots that the National Park Administration did in 1942. Those lands, not more than five years ago, have been expropriated from the original Mapuche settlers when Lanín National Park was created.
In this way, and while you still try to understand what happened (you can find help in History) it is worth vsiting it.
The circuit starts taking the National Road Nº 234 (the Road of the Seven Lakes) and after five kilometres enjoying the views of Lácar Lake, you will be able to see on the right the entrance to Catritre beach (a wide bay with sandy beaches, an organized and a wild campsite, a restaurant and picnic area) and one kilometre further, also on the right, there is the detour which leads to Quila Quina.
The way to Quila Quina
The mountain way is not paved, with plenty of bends, and it ascends from 640 metres above sea level to 900 metres. The Oak forest dominates the scene and the first houses of the inhabitants of the area begin to appear, with their log fences, farmyards with goats and sheep, vegetable gardens and smoke from economic kitchens escaping from the chimneys.
It is important to be extreme cautious while driving since almost the whole way is too narrow.
Splendid views of the mountain range and the lake stretching down can be seen while reaching the place. You will find two viewpoints where you can park you car and take delight in the panoramic view of the town, its beaches, the pier with the boats, the Arroyo Grande (Big Stream) and the squawk of the Bandurrias (a kind of bird) across the sky. Take a rest of the steering wheel, walk a bit and choose one of the wooden handicrafts that children make and offer in the stall located by the roadside.
Quila Quina
Before entering the Village itself, on the left you will see a parking lot and the entrance to Arroyo Grande Cascade, about 500 metres distant along an easy trail for walkers. Located in the lands of the Mapuche community, the guides will accompany you (access $ 3 per person) and they will also offer handmade products in wool and timber, homemade marmalade and other handicrafts.
Just straight on, you will find an informative board explaining the services of the area (an organized campsite with a restaurant, a wild campsite, daytime recreation area, and the pier with a snack bar, toilets and rental of water sport activities). Quila Quina is a three-kilometre peninsula, which you can visit by car or walking if you do not have physical problems. The best way to enjoy it is walking, so we suggest to leave your car parked at the dock and seek for adventure.
Walking through the forest of Oak trees
Facing the lake turn left. First you can stop for a while in Cerro Abanico viewpoint. An information board will let you understand the formation of this particular solid rocks and local geology aspects.
The rural school of the Mapuche community (learning period September / May), La Puntilla beach, Retama and Oak trees, will be present along the way until the entrance to the natural trail “El Cipresal” (half-hour journey, 400 metres distant) where you will get to know the importance of one of the three conifers of Lanín National Park.
At the end, you will see the bridge over the Arroyo Grande (Big Stream) and the way leading towards the camping areas, and the rest of the residents’ houses (consider it as an “Extra” stretch that will take an hour walk, ask for information about how to arrive at the campsites).
You can start the return from there taking the way to the left. During the tour you will see some of the residential houses typical of the village, the Park Ranger’s House, and lots of Alamo trees along the way, to get back into the lake shore again after approximately 700 metres.
Take the chance to regain breath looking at the crafts from the stalls located on the pier, where you’ll find -in addition to the classic wooden spoons- original products such as fruit for infusion teas, silverware and even handmade knives made of deer antlers.
You can forget about the world sitting on the sand of the wide beach, and after swimming in the water, you can visit the source of the naturally carbonated mineral water, an interesting geological phenomenon that is complemented with new views of the city and the lake.
Category Archive: Naturaleza