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These two places share the same starting point.
Leave the Plazoleta de las Colectividades (on 7 Lagos Avenue) and follow Cacique Antriao street for 1 kilometer. Here the street ends and you should follow a road upwards until you reach the next sign, (approximately 700 meters). Continue the road for another kilometer and you will notice that it opens into two alternatives. To your right you will reach the Inacayal Waterfall, to your left you will reach the Mirador Belvedere. You can also reach this point by car. |
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• Mirador Belvedere
Once comfortably seated at El Mirador you should be able to identify the panorama in front of you. The first lake is lake Correntoso, which is 27 km2. You will also see the Correntoso River which send it waters into the Nahuel Huapi Lake. The mountain range in front of you is the Andean Range that separates us from Chile. You will probably be able to distinguish Mounts Macal, Dormilón, Tres Hermanas, The Pantojo Volcano, Mounts Rincón, Titlis or Matus and Campana. You will also see lake Nahuel Huapi and three of its seven arms: The Machete, the Rincón and the Ultima Esperanza. The second one is famous among anglers. You will also see the building of Hotel Correntoso, the first big hotel of this region (1924) and an urbanized part of the valley. |
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• Inacayal Waterfall
As we have already explained, when the road splits, you should turn left and follow the trail to the waterfall. At this point you will be at 1000 meters above sea level which justifies the rich presence of "caña colíhue". This is a perennial plant, Chusquea Culeou, which flowers and produces fruit once every 25 years and then dies. When this happens there is a higher proliferation of country mice probably due to the fact that there is an abundance of food. Other changes you will notice in the under forest is that trees don't grow high. They are rather bushy and twisted. An example of this are the "maitén chico" (Maytenus Disticha), the "maitén duro" (Maytenus Magellanica) very appreciated for its hard wood and the "canelillo" (Drimys Winteri). This last one is considered a sacred tree by the Mapuche tribes for its curative virtues. In fact its bark has a high percentage of Vitamin C and the infusion made out of it was given to people suffering scurvy. |
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You will also see lower examples of the Nothofagus Family or False Beech: "coihue" (Nothofagus Dombeyi) and "lenga" (Nothofagus Pumulio).
On the way you will come across "michay" (Berberis Darwinii) and "calafate" (Berberis Buxifolia). These two bushes are very similar to one another and they resemble a small leafed wild holly. Depending in what season your walk is going to take place you will either see them in full bloom exposing bunches of tiny yellow flowers or in full production of tiny purple edible berries. The saga has it that whoever tries these berries will always return to Patagonia. A michay infusion is said to have healing effects on those suffering urinary problems. From the calafate bark and roots a potent yellow die can be extracted. The local fauna is represented mainly by birds: The "chucao" which you hear but seldom see, the wood pecker, the "ratoneras" and "rayaditos". Among insects it is worthwhile mentioning a butterfly that envelopes de "canelillo" leaves in a very characteristic cover. As the trek proceeds, you will find watching spaces that can fit up to 10 people and from which you can watch the Nahuel Huapi Lake, the Andes and urban Villa La Angostura. Further on you will see the 50 meter drop of the Inacayal waterfall. It is generated by the waters of the Arroyo Las Piedritas, which in turn origins from the snow at the higher peaks. The water is cold, transparent and fast moving. |
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A variety of ferns, violets and red Alpine ourisias can be found on its margins. The type of rock of the ravine through which the water slides is of glacial origin. It later became eroded by the water. As a general rule the ravines in "V" are of fluvial origin and the ravines in "U" are of glacial origin. Examples of the latter are the ravines of Rio Machete, Rio Pireco and the Nahuel Huapi arms.
Photos: Archivo Interpatagonia.com |
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See also: Hotels in Villa La Angostura and other accommodation venues |
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