Lago Belgrano is an example of how complicated the water system can be in Patagonia. It is a glacial lake. In other words, it is the result of glacial erosion. It is fed by water from the surrounding mountains. Which is what gives it its very special, bright colour. The first thing you will notice is how luminous the water looks. Even if the weather is grey, it remains turquoise coloured. Which is great for photographers! Lake Belgrano is one of Patagonia's magnificent landscapes. Something you should see during a trip to Argentina.
If you like trekking and big open spaces then you'll love the country around Lake Belgrano. It's a typically Patagonian landscape, where you feel very small next to such grandiose nature. Silence reigns. It is very peaceful. There are few tourists. I had a very rare sensation of complete peace.
Anyone who visits Lago Belgrano (Belgrano Lake) – also known as Lago de los dos colores (the Lake of Two Colours) – cannot fail to be mesmerised by the beauty of the place. The lake is actually famous for the incredible turquoise colour of its waters. Its name is a homage to Manuel Belgrano, one of the main leaders of the Argentine War of Independence and creator of the Argentinian flag.
Belgrano Lake is glacial in origin and is mainly fed by the waters of small rivers and streams, such as río Volcán, as well as by melt water from the surrounding volcanoes and mountains. Water from the lake flows as far as Chile.
I have fond memories of this immense expanse of turquoise water, which I first encountered on a hike I I did in Perito Moreno National Park. Though this isn't one of the absolutely essential places to see when visiting Argentina – in contrast to Los Glaciares National Park – I do recommend it to fans of glacial landscapes and hiking. Something else of interest about this area is that it is home to the rhea: a kind of Argentinian equivalent of the ostrich.