Puelo River valley: Llanada Grande and Lake Tagua Tagua

The Puelo River valley runs from the Argentine border down to the Reloncaví Estuary, with turquoise water, mountain lakes and villages such as Llanada Grande, reached by ferry across Lake Tagua Tagua. You enter on Route V-69, the same road that starts in Ensenada, where our base is. This guide covers getting there, what is in the valley and how to prepare.

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Quick factsUpdated 25 October 2026

Where: Cochamó district, Los Lagos Region
Río Puelo (village): District capital, by the river mouth on the Reloncaví Estuary
Llanada Grande: 52 km from Río Puelo and 184 km from Puerto Montt; about 600 people
Crossing: Lake Tagua Tagua ferry, from Punta Canelo to Punta Maldonado
From Ensenada: Route V-69, through Ralún and Cochamó
Fishing: September to May, catch and release
Rain: About 2,354 mm a year in Puelo

The turquoise Puelo River between rock walls and forest, with a bridge behind

The Puelo River valley, from Argentina to Reloncaví

The Puelo River rises in Argentina and enters Chile through a glacial valley, forming lakes such as Inferior and Tagua Tagua before it reaches the Reloncaví Estuary. It is known for its turquoise water and views of Yate Volcano.

Río Puelo, the village

Río Puelo, also called Puelo, is the capital of the Cochamó district and sits close to the river mouth. It has the town hall, police, a school and the only fuel station in the area: fill up before heading up the valley.

The villages upriver

From Río Puelo you enter the valley: Las Gualas, Lake Tagua Tagua, Llanada Grande and, further up, Primer Corral and Segundo Corral, close to the Argentine border.

A horse beside a wooden barn in a Llanada Grande meadow, with a waterfall on the hillside

Llanada Grande, the valley village

Llanada Grande is the main village in the valley: 52 km from Río Puelo, at 305 m above sea level, with about 600 people. It has a police station, a 24-hour health post, firefighters, shops, cabins, guesthouses and restaurants with local food, plus an airstrip.

Primer Corral and Segundo Corral

Upriver, Primer Corral is about 20 km from Llanada Grande and has a footbridge over the Puelo. Segundo Corral is about 12 km further, with basic services and a landing strip. Segundo Corral holds the Semana Corraleña festival on 22 and 23 February.

Summer festivals

From late January through February the valley villages hold traditional festivals, with local food and Chilean-style horse races.

Lake Tagua Tagua and the ferry to Llanada Grande

To reach the upper valley you cross Lake Tagua Tagua. A ferry for about 10 vehicles runs from Punta Canelo to Punta Maldonado, and there are also small private boats. From Punta Maldonado it is about 32 km of gravel road to Llanada Grande, with a connecting minibus. Ferry times change by season: confirm them with the Cochamó town hall before you go.

Waterfalls and Parque Tagua Tagua

The lake is ringed by forested hills, and waterfalls drop from its walls straight into the water. On its shore is Parque Tagua Tagua, a private protected area with trails.

A kayaker on Lake Las Rocas, with forested hills and mountains behind

Lakes Las Rocas, Azul, Inferior and Totoral

Beyond Llanada Grande the valley has several mountain lakes, linked by gravel roads, trails and stretches you can only travel by boat.

Lake Las Rocas and Lake Inferior

Lake Las Rocas can be seen from a few points on the road through the forest. About 100 m lower is Lake Inferior, which the Puelo passes through before it reaches Tagua Tagua. Between Lake Inferior and Lake Puelo there are rapids that only specialized boats can run.

Lake Azul and Lake Totoral

Lake Azul has a peninsula, Isla Nautilus, and boat services. A trail of about 12 km, with many ups and downs, runs from Lake Verde to Lake Azul. Lake Totoral is on the route to the Huemul Valley, more than 30 km from Llanada Grande.

Things to do in Puelo and Llanada Grande

The valley is a place to stay for several days: it has no big organized attractions, just nature, fishing, horseback riding and trails.

Fishing on the Puelo River

Recreational fishing is the valley's main draw. The season runs from September to May, catch and release. Good spots include Lake Inferior, Lake Azul, Lake Las Rocas and Arroyo Barrancas.

Horseback riding and hiking

The Ventisquero Valley is explored on multi-day horseback trips, and its upper part has a blue glacier. The Huemul Valley has an alerce forest with mañío, Guaitecas cypress and tepa. Near Llanada Grande are also El Toro Glacier and the Ventisquero River.

Wildlife

The valley is home to huemul deer, pudú, pumas and condors. Wild boar is an introduced species.

Hot springs at the valley entrance

Near Puelo is Termas del Sol, with 10 thermal pools. The other hot springs on the road, Ralún and Cochamó, are in our guide to hot springs near Puerto Varas.

The bow of a light blue kayak on turquoise Lake Puelo, with hills behind

Cross the Andes by kayak: Tagua Tagua to Lake Puelo

One of our multi-day trips is Trans-Andean Lakes: 4 days by kayak across Lakes Tagua Tagua, Las Rocas, Inferior and Puelo, in Argentina, crossing the Andes on the water. It needs a minimum of 4 people and is quoted on request; for the border crossing you need a passport or a Chilean ID card. Details are on our sea kayak tours page.

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Getting to Llanada Grande from Puerto Varas

Through Ensenada and Route V-69

From Puerto Varas take Route 225 to Ensenada, where our base is, and Route V-69 toward Ralún, Cochamó and Río Puelo. From there continue to Lake Tagua Tagua and cross by ferry. Llanada Grande is 184 km from Puerto Montt.

Via the Carretera Austral

Another option is Route 7 to Caleta La Arena, the ferry to Caleta Puelche, with no booking needed, and the road to Río Puelo, 36 km away.

By bus from Puerto Montt

Buses run from Puerto Montt to Puelo, about 4 a day on a trip of about 3 hours, and one a day continues to the Punta Canelo ferry landing. Tickets are not sold online.

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When to go and what to bring

Puelo gets about 2,354 mm of rain a year, so bring waterproof clothing even in summer. Summer brings the valley festivals, but January has a lot of horseflies. At some times of year access gets harder because of the weather and the state of the roads: check the forecast and the ferry times before you go, and fill up in Río Puelo.

Wooden house at the TerraSur base in Ensenada, with a cabins and campsite sign and a red kayak

Where to stay: in the valley or in Ensenada

Llanada Grande has cabins, guesthouses and camping. Before or after the trip, in Ensenada, at the start of Route V-69, is Barlovento, the same company and base as TerraSur: cabins in Ensenada and a campsite facing Lake Llanquihue.

Puelo River and Llanada Grande FAQ

Where is Llanada Grande?

In the Puelo River valley, Cochamó district, Los Lagos Region. It is 52 km from the village of Río Puelo and 184 km from Puerto Montt.

How do I get to Llanada Grande?

Take Route V-69 to Río Puelo, then continue to Lake Tagua Tagua and cross by ferry from Punta Canelo to Punta Maldonado. From there it is about 32 km of gravel road to Llanada Grande.

Where is Río Puelo?

Río Puelo is the capital of the Cochamó district, by the mouth of the Puelo River on the Reloncaví Estuary. You reach it on Route V-69 from Ensenada or via the Carretera Austral from Caleta Puelche.

What can you do in Llanada Grande?

Fishing, horseback riding in the Ventisquero Valley, hiking to the Huemul Valley and exploring Lakes Las Rocas, Azul and Inferior.

When is the fishing season on the Puelo River?

From September to May, catch and release.

Are there hot springs in Puelo?

Yes, Termas del Sol, with 10 thermal pools from 36 to 45 °C.

Is there fuel in the valley?

The only fuel station in the area is in the village of Río Puelo: fill up before heading up the valley.

How much does it rain in Puelo?

About 2,354 mm a year. Bring waterproof clothing even in summer.