Argentina > Bariloche

Top Things to Do

This circuit takes you along route 237 towards the Enchanted Valley where you will see remarkable rock formations with well-deserved names such as: Tren Expreso (Express Train) and Dedo de Dios (God's Finger). Continuing on you will go left before crossing the Traful River along route 65 towards Villa Traful. From there you can continue on to Port Arayan, to El Portezuelo where the road converges with route 234 (the road of the Seven Lakes). You will cross Quintupuray alongside Lake Correntoso towards Villa Angostura. Route 231 from Villa Angostura will bring you by Port Manzano until you reach the 237 again bringing you back to Bariloche. This circuit can be done by mountain bike, rental car or tour bus.

Located 82 km from Bariloche on the northwestern shore of Lake Nahual Huapi. Angostura refers to the Isthmus, after which it was named, of the Quetrihue peninsula. The town itself is mostly a tourist mecca, where the buses on their way to San Martin de los Andes stop for morning tea. The main street is filled with artisan shops and cafes as well as hotels and guesthouses.

The real attraction here is hiking, which is best in the nearby Parque National los Arrayanes. The beautiful walk to the tip of the peninsula will take about three hours (12km). The surrounding forest is known for its singluar cinnamon tone, which is exclusive to this area. It is a tree with twisted bark, white flowers similar to orange blossoms and a purple fruit. Some of the trees grow as high as 20 meters.

If you are tired once you arrive, you can take the Catamaran Futaleufu to return, which is a scenic ride, passing along Bahia Manzano. In the wintertime there is skiing at Cerro Bayo, but you are better off carrying on to Chapelco near San Martin de los Andes. This trip can be done by mountain bike, rental car or tour bus.

This stunning town, set off the banks of Lago Lacar, the last of the lakes on the 7 lakes route, makes an excellent day or weekend trip. A smaller version of Bariloche, San Martin de Los Andes is the gateway to the Chapelco Ski Resort. Since the opening of the ski hill, San Martin de Los Andes has become a booming tourist town year round and is a favorite destination of the Patagonian Lake District. A ruling against high rises has helped the town to maintain its charm despite expansive growth. The streets are lined with restaurants, artisan shops and chocolate shops, similar to those found in Bariloche.

If you decide to stay longer than just a day trip there are plenty of wonderful accommodations to choose from. The city of 25,000 now accommodates over 5,000 visitors and continues to grow.

Set off along route 234 from San Martin de Los Andes. Although the first 50km of the route is paved, the second 50km is a dirt road which can make driving difficult, but definitely not out of the question. There are several viewpoints where you can stop off along the way. This makes it an ideal route for cycling or renting a car so that you are not at the mercy of other tourists on a bus when you want to stop and enjoy the view. Note that the road can get busy in high season which may lessen the appeal of cycling.

This village on the banks of Lake Traful, in the heart of Nahuel Huapi National Park, is home to less than 600 inhabitants. The stone and wood houses add to the charm of this village and make it worth the side trip from the 7 lakes route or Villa Angostura.

Set off from Bariloche along Bustillo Avenue and the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The landmarks are described by their proximity to the city center. At 8km is Playa Bonita where there is a wonderful view of Huemul Island. Further along at 28km is Mount Campanario and continuing along the road will begin to loop around towards the Llao Llao Hotel, the most luxurious resort in the area. From there the road will return to the junction of Bustillo Ave and then back to the city. The tour can take a full day by bike or a half-day if you rent a car. Organized tours are also available. This tour can be done by bicycle or rental car; alternatively you can hop on Bus #20 (A$2).

Take a chairlift to the top of the mountain where you can enjoy the view of the lakes (Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno), Llao Llao peninsula, Victoria Island, Cerro Otto and Cerro Catedral. There is a lovely café at the top to grab a coffee and a snack. The chairlift stays open until 6pm in the winter and 7:30pm in the summer when the days are longer. The trip up the mountain takes about 10 minutes.

This ski resort was named for its towering peaks that resemble a gothic church. Although it is not a huge mountain by international standards (6725 foot elevation, 3300 foot vertical) the hill has all the infrastructure of a European ski resort. The ski season here runs from mid-June to early-October.

Equipment and ski clothing can be rented both at the base of the hill and in town. A cable car and chairlift join the base where cafes and restaurants await the après-ski. You can get there by taking the "Catedral" bus (A$2.80) from the center of town. For more information visit www.welcomeargentina.com/catedral/index_i.html

Rafting along the Rio Manso is one of the more popular summer activities in Bariloche. There are several companies in town offering 1/2 day or full day excursions, generally including transfers, snacks and often an Asado (Argentinean BBQ) at the end of the day. Note that November is typically when the waters are at their highest level and the rapids are the most challenging.

5 Km outside of the city center past Belgrano Square is Cerro Otto. De Los Pioneros Ave. will take you straight to a road that winds up to the summit for a wonderful view. Alternatively you can walk or mountain bike (about 2 hours). There is also a cable railway that will take you to the top where a revolving cafe awaits you.

A great excursion for a half day. From Port Panuelo across from the Llao Llao hotel you can catch a boat to the island (1/2 hour). From there you can tour around the island and take in the view from Cerro Bella Vista or walk through the Myrtle forest which has been declared a natural reserve and natural monument.

Cerro Viejo is an amusement park with entertainment for children including a luge slide and a ski museum. Ave Bustillo KM 1; 02944-427644