Lago Yelcho
A turquoise lake on the Carretera Austral with a hanging glacier above it and trout fishing on it.
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Yelcho lies along the Carretera Austral south of Chaiten, a long lake of glacial turquoise with the Yelcho glacier hanging above its eastern side and coming into view from the road. A trail from the Ventisquero sector climbs a couple of hours through forest to a viewpoint facing the ice. The lake and the Futaleufu river that feeds it are among the better known trout waters in Chile, fished with fly under licence, and lodges along the shore work on that. The Puente Yelcho, a suspension bridge on the Carretera, crosses the outflow and is a standard photograph on the route.
What you actually see
- A turquoise glacial lake - along the Carretera Austral.
- A hanging glacier above it - reached by a two hour trail.
- Trout water - fished under licence from lodges on the shore.
- The Yelcho suspension bridge - over the lake's outflow.
When to go
December to March. A full day.
Honest expectations
It rains here most days. The glacier trail is muddy and steep in places. Fishing is licensed and lodge-based rather than casual. Services along the Carretera are far apart.
Nearby
Chaiten is north; Futaleufu is east towards the border.
What to pack for Lago Yelcho
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
