Primary inflows Basin countries Chile Settlements Villarrica, Pucón Surface elevation 230 m Inflow source Trancura River | Primary outflows Toltén River Surface area 173 km (67 sq mi) Area 173 km² Outflow location Toltén River Cities Pucón, Villarrica | |
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Similar Villarrica, Caburgua Lake, Ojos del Caburgua, Calafquén Lake, Tinquilco Lake | ||
Lake Villarrica, also known as Mallalafquén (its pre-Hispanic name in Mapudungun), is located about 700 kilometers south of Santiago in Chile’s Lake District in the southeast area of the Province of Cautín. On its east shore lies the city of Pucón, a major tourist attraction and a popular ski resort, and on the west shore lies the town of Villarrica.
Map of Villarrica Lake, Araucania, Chile
Water sports such as sailing, kayaking, sport fishing and water skiing are popular in the summer due to the lake's warm waters (surface temperatures range from 19 to 22 °C). In winter, the average water temperature is around 10 °C.
The Villarrica Volcano, one of the ten most active in the world, is situated to the south of the lake. There are two Chile National Parks close by: the Huerquehue and the Villarrica. The latter is famous for its natural hot springs.