The Lake O’Higgins (Lago O’Higgins) was discovered in 1877 by Francisco Perito Moreno, in his advance towards the south. In 1899 his water-drainage was explored by Hans Steffen, who made studies for Chile. That same year, the geographer Luis Risopatrón was in charge to reveal the environs of the lake to later publish the first Chilean map of the area. In 1902, the layout of limits divided the lake between Chile and Argentina in equal pairs.

The colonization of the zone began without state support since the second decade of century XX.

The Chilean Lake was called O’Higgins in its Chilean side only since 1956, after the arrival of two airplanes of the FACH, Air Force of Chile (Fuérza Area de Chile), to the Small ventisquero (Ventisquero Chico).

The town of Villa O’Higgins characterizes itself by its colorful wood houses covered with tiles, ordered in a ten of small group of houses in a checkerboard form that limit with the Hill Santiago (Cerro Santiago) and the aerodrome.

In the environs of Villa O’Higgins is located the Natural Reserve Shöen (Reserva Natural Shöen), that means huemul in language aónikenk. It is administered by the Municipality of Villa O’Higgins (Municipalidad de Villa O’Higgins). It has footpaths of interpretation with footbridges, viewpoints and stairs. From the viewpoints are obtained fabulous panoramic views of Villa O’Higgins, the forests, the neighboring rivers and lakes, as well as of the high summits that limit with the South Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur).

Its vegetation, in the low sectors of the Natural Reserve Shöen (Reserva Natural Shöen), displays typical species of the forest Always Green (siempreverde), under a canopy of species caducifolias, situation seldom frequent. In height grow lenga and ñires forests. It also conserves a numerous and diverse fauna, integrated by species of birds and mammals. Among these last are common the foxes, pumas and huemules. It counts on parks keepers that can orient the visitors and area to encamp in the entrance of the reserve.

Lake O’Higgins (Lago O’Higgins)

The Lake O’Higgins (Lago O’Higgins) is located to 859 feet of altitude. This bi-national lake is the most singular and stranger of the Patagonia. The Lake O’Higgins (Lago O’Higgins) is to the east of the mountain range of the Andes (Cordillera de Los Andes), to the north of the Mount Fitz Roy (Monte Fitz Roy) and limits to the west with the South Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur). It flows into the Pacific Ocean (Oceáno Pacífico) by the mighty River Passover (Río Pascua). The Lake O’Higgins (Lago O’Higgins) is surrounded by snow-covered mountains and it articulates in eight arms of drawer borders. In its turquoise color waters float the fallen icebergs of glaciers.

At the borders of the Lake O’Higgins (Lago O’Higgins) are dispersed establishments of descendants of the earliest pilgrims. The villagers communicate through the lake, with motor boats whose itineraries depend exclusively on the climatic conditions. The strong winds of the west are frequent. Several ventisqueros of the South Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) fall directly to the west arms of Lake O’Higgins (Lago O’Higgins). The largest of them is the ventisquero O’Higgins that reaches a height of between 98 and 196 feet and a wide of 3 miles.

The town is a wonderful base for routes of trekking, climbing and cavalcades. There are signalized footpaths among valleys, access to glaciers and routes of ascent to hills with eternal ice. All your excursions are for one or more days. You can inquire in the Municipality (Municipalidad) about the routes that you can cross and the necessary techniques that you must contemplate for each stroll. Among the most attractive tourist destinies stand out the Hill Submarine (Cerro Submarino), of 6.069 feet of altitude, the most emblematic of the town; the Snow-covered Cord (Cordón Nevado), to heights near to 6.561 feet and the peninsula the Florida (Peninsula La Florida), of mountainous relief and very exposed to hurricane-force winds. The Valley of River Mayer (Valle del Río Mayer) is especially good to practice trekking or cavalcades. From Mayer, you can arrive at the fabulous Lagoon Clear (Laguna Clara) or the Entrance of Mayer (Entrada de Mayer), with fields of pilgrims, three days of distance by horse, roundtrip. Another big attractiveness, only for those who have experience of climbing on ice, is the mountains next to the South Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur).

There is a Municipal Program of Agro-tourism (Programa Municipal de Agroturismo) that contacts with pilgrims who offer areas to encamp, cavalcades, participation in cattle and forest activities, and tasting of typical dishes.