Puerto Varas Travel Guide

Lake Llanquihue is Chile's largest lake, ringed by towns founded by German immigrants, its shores reflecting volcanoes like Osorno — the heart of the Lakes District scenery. The lakeside road links Puerto Varas, Frutillar and the Osorno base, dotted with breweries, timber houses and lavender fields. You can kayak, cycle and birdwatch at the water's edge; on clear days the snow peaks and turquoise water make a superb self-drive and photography route.Brewery lights shimmer across the deep blue of the lake.

The Saltos de Petrohué lie in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, southeast of Puerto Varas. The falls pour over black basalt lava terraces in emerald-green torrents, powerful and dramatic, with well-built walkways bringing you close to the spray and roar.