Ranco Lake

About

Covering 410 square kilometers, Ranco Lake is the largest lake in the Los Ríos Region and the fourth largest in Chile. Apart from its size, what sets Ranco Lake apart from other large lagos in the area is that there's no volcano visible from its shores. During summer months, the myriad of beaches are a popular destination for locals who come to sunbathe, swim, and enjoy the view of the mountains and islands. If you don’t fancy a swim, the 6-mile out-and-back hike to the Piedra Mesa viewpoint will reward your efforts with the best views of Ranco Lake, its islands, and the green surroundings - just decide which you’d rather do before your stop as the viewpoint trail is some distance from the lake. Please note: you must increase your stop time to 3 hours if you’d like to hike to the viewpoint.