Cochrane/Pueyrredón LakeBest Time to Visit Cochrane/Pueyrredón Lake
Visit in the austral summer (December-February) for the mildest weather and best access to outdoor activities.
Weather & Climate near Cochrane/Pueyrredón Lake
Cochrane/Pueyrredón Lake's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 0°C to 20°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 9° - 20° | 15° | 26 mm | - | - | 7.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 17 mm | - | - | 6.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 7° - 18° | 12° | 33 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 5° - 15° | 7° | 43 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 3° - 10° | 4° | 52 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 1° - 7° | 1° | 39 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 0° - 7° | 1° | 33 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 1° - 9° | 2° | 51 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 2° - 12° | 4° | 39 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 5° - 14° | 7° | 21 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 7° - 16° | 12° | 20 mm | - | - | 6.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 9° - 18° | 13° | 20 mm | - | - | 6.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Cochrane/Pueyrredón Lake
Drive the Carretera Austral (Chile Route 7) to the town of Cochrane, which is the usual gateway to lakes and hiking around the area. Cochrane is reached by road from the north/south; the nearest regional airport serving the area is Balmaceda/Coyhaique (fly into Balmaceda and continue by road).
From Cochrane follow local gravel roads and signed forest/park tracks down to lakeshores and trailheads-access within the lake area is by vehicle on local roads and then on foot. There is no frequent public rail service; local buses or private transfers from Cochrane are the normal option for visitors.
Tips for Visiting Cochrane/Pueyrredón Lake
- Aim for early morning visits when winds on Patagonian lakes are typically calmer - you'll get the best mirror-like reflections and clearer light for photography before the usual afternoon breezes pick up.
- Use the town of Cochrane as your base and approach the lake via the Carretera Austral; short drives from town lead to accessible lakeshore viewpoints so you can avoid long, unmarked backcountry approaches.
- Many visitors stay near the main shoreline; walk a little farther along lesser-used bays to find quiet viewpoints and more wildlife activity (including waterfowl) that are often missed by day-trippers.