Copahue, Lagoon, Volcano
Crater and Amphitheater
Copahue
The access is 19 km. from Caviahue traveling on route 26. Its name
comes from Araucano dialect and means sulphur or rite associated
to a cure. Its hot springs are world famous and acquire its physical
or chemical properties due to gas emanations and the products of
chemical transformation of the substrate, loading with salts and
gases and acquiring its characteristic temperature.
The main active hot springs are:
Copahue, Las Máquinas, the crater of Copahue volcano, Las
Maquinitas and the Amphitheater.
The activity of these "hot springs" is limited to the period between
the 1st. of December and mid-April during which all facilities
and services are available. The thermal treatments are conditioned
to a previous mandatory medical indication in the existing old baths
or in the modern Centro de Balneoterapia which, with a capacity
of 2,500 daily baths, enables you to enjoy your treatment in combination
with physical therapy, cosmetology or sauna, among other services.
The outdoor thermal facilities correspond to Del Chancho and Verde
lagoons. Numerous water springs are also found for drinking and
due to their thermal characteristics and uses are called: De Vichy,
Sulfurosa, Del Limón and Del Mate.
Caviahue also offers thermal service using the waters from the
volcano crater. Both places have quality hostelry.
At the Copahue-Caviahue Thermal Center specific treatments can
be programmed for osteo-articular, dermatologic and respiratory
diseases.
Lagoon and Volcano crater
You leave on horseback, traveling 4 km. along route 26. Then the
Arroyo Blanco and Las Mellizas lagoons must be passed in order to
later ascend some 925 m. on the northwest slope of the volcano;
some eternal snow patches are encountered, and the last 100 m, must
done on foot. The groups must be guided by a "baqueano"or guide.
The crater, formed as a result of post-glacial volcanic activity,
is found occupied by a lagoon of some 3 hectares in area, fed by
rainfall and ice melting.
The gas emanations heat the lagoon waters to temperatures oscillating
between 20 and 40 degrees centigrade and load them with gases and
mineral substances causing them to reach a high degree of acidity.
Amphitheater
It is found at the northwest occupying a depression surrounded
by rock formations.
The thermal manifestations have less intensity than in other areas,
being limited to small bowls or respirators.
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