Villa Traful

If there were a prize for the most beautiful lake in the region, Lago Traful would win for its clarity, serenity, and wild surroundings. Small log houses peek through the cypress forest along the way to Villa Traful, a village of about 500 inhabitants. The town consists of log cabins, horse corrals, two fishing lodges, shops for picnic and fishing supplies, a school, a post office, and a park ranger's office. Well-maintained campgrounds border the lake, and ranches and private fishing lodges are hidden in the surrounding mountains. By day swimmers play on rocky beaches on the lake, a kayak cuts the still blue water, and divers go under to explore the mysteries of a submerged forest. Night brings silence, stars, and the glow of a lakeside campfire.