The crater lagoon
Clear water on top.
Rocagus — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Togomaxi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · MARIANA GISEL P — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ayi.funes — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mewoorange — CC BY-SA 4.0
Batea Mahuida is an old volcano on the border between Argentina and Chile, about ten kilometres from Villa Pehuenia and some 1,948 metres high. Its name mixes Spanish and Mapuche: batea, an upturned trough, and mahuida, mountain, «the trough-shaped mountain», for its flat top. Its crater holds a clear lagoon, and the summit gives a rare view of a chain of volcanoes, including Lanín, Villarrica, Llaima and Copahue, and of the lakes Aluminé, Moquehue and Icalma. The Mapuche Puel community runs a snow park on its slopes, with gentle ski runs, sledding and snowmobile trips in winter. In summer you drive up to the antenna viewpoint, then walk, ride or cycle to the crater lagoon. In winter, activity fees are paid to the local community.
Clear water on top.
Lanín and Villarrica.
Skiing and sledding.
About 10 km from Villa Pehuenia, on the Chilean border
In summer drive to the antenna viewpoint, then walk, ride or cycle to the crater.