Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina
A very short, easy walk in Quila Quina, on the shore of Lago Lácar, to the Arroyo Grande waterfall — a roughly 60 m drop. Suitable for the whole family, about 20-30 minutes round trip.
Quila Quina is one of the most visited spots on the southern shore of Lago Lácar, with a volcanic-sand beach reachable both by gravel road and by boat from San Martín de los Andes. From the pier, a short, flat trail heads into the forest to the Arroyo Grande waterfall, a roughly 60-meter drop through the vegetation.
It's one of the shortest, most accessible walks in the whole of Parque Nacional Lanín — just 20 to 30 minutes round trip — so it pairs easily with a beach day at Quila Quina or with other excursions on Lago Lácar.
Trail access is managed by the Quila Quina Mapuche community, with a token entry fee.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 0.7 km
- Duration: 0.5–0.75 hours
- Elevation gain: 40 m
- Max altitude: 680 m
- Best season: Dec – Apr
- Trailhead: Muelle de Quila Quina, unos 18 km de San Martín de los Andes (por lancha o camino)
- Park / area: Parque Nacional Lanín, Neuquén
Nearby trails
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina trek take?
Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina takes 0.5–0.75 hours to complete, covering 0.7 km with 40 m of elevation gain, rated easy.
Is Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina suitable for beginners?
Yes, Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina is rated easy and is a good choice for someone new to hiking.
Do I need a permit to hike Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina?
No, Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina doesn’t require an advance permit.
When is the best time to hike Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina?
The recommended season is Dec – Apr. Sliabh’s map shows current daylight hours and a live weather/solar panel for the exact trailhead.
Where does the Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina trailhead start?
The trailhead is at Muelle de Quila Quina, unos 18 km de San Martín de los Andes (por lancha o camino), in Parque Nacional Lanín, Neuquén province. Sliabh’s 3D map and downloadable GPX track show the exact starting point.
Can I download an offline map or GPX track for Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina?
Yes — Sliabh provides a downloadable GPX track and an offline 3D map for Cascada Arroyo Grande — Quila Quina, so it works with no signal on the trail.
Lanín National Park · Hiking in Northern Patagonia