Bariloche Department: Trails, Nature and Culture

Lakes, forests and excursion routes

Nahuel Huapi National Park, whose administrative headquarters are in San Carlos de Bariloche, offers visitors a variety of activities: mountaineering, boat trips, hiking, camping, horseback riding and rafting. The options range from excursions on the water to activities in the mountains. The bike park at Cerro Catedral also offers a variety of experiences, with forest trails, downhill runs of varying technical difficulty and a 4X track for mountain biking.

The Circuito Chico is Bariloche’s traditional excursion route, connecting the city, forests, lakes and mountains in a scenic landscape. From kilometer 30, the route includes a turnoff to Villa Tacul at Llao Llao Bay and continues toward Lago Escondido. You can also reach Colonia Suiza via the Circuito Chico. Visitors can explore farms and campgrounds there and enjoy tea. The route is also lined with tea houses, restaurants, steakhouses and beer bars serving regional cuisine, as well as shops selling local handicrafts.

At the summit of Cerro Campanario, there is a lookout point and a café offering panoramic views. The beaches at Villa Tacul are suitable for diving. Those who prefer to explore the landscape on foot will find trails of varying difficulty: the trail to Lago Escondido passes through the Bosque de Coihues to a lake whose water is described as pleasantly warm in summer.

Hikes by duration and difficulty

The Cerrito Llao Llao–Villa Tacul hike is easy and takes between 50 minutes and 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on the section and starting point. The hike at Bahía López is also considered easy and takes about 1.5 hours. These two time estimates provide a concrete guide to shorter hikes, while the route and starting point determine the duration of the first hike.

For multi-day outings, the Travesía de los Cuatro Refugios is a challenging Andean trek with a high difficulty level; it takes four to five days. The Cerro Tronador–Pico Argentino ascent is a high-altitude climb of moderate to high difficulty and takes three days. These descriptions distinguish a multi-day Andean trek from a high-altitude climb, without assigning both trips the same duration or difficulty level.

Other trails lead to notable destinations: From the summit of Cerro Otto, at 1,400 meters above sea level, a trail passes through a lenga forest to Piedra de Habsburgo and returns along the same route. After about an hour on foot, you reach Bosque Tallado, with 60 sculptures by artists from around the world. A short walking trail leads to Puente Romano, an old stone bridge built by the National Parks administration in 1937.

Landscape, culture and regional activities

In the Área Natural Protegida Río Azul–Lago Escondido, trekking routes pass through lenga, coihue, ñire and Andean cypress forests, as well as Valdivian and high-Andean landscapes. There is also a network of 13 interconnected mountain refuges. Activities on the Circuito Río Azul include rafting, canyoning, camping and hiking. A lookout point on the Río Azul offers views of the clear, winding river and its valley as far as Lago Puelo, with Cerro Tres Picos in the background.

Road and cycling routes can also be distinguished by length and mode of transport. The Circuito de Mallín Ahogado is approximately 25 kilometers long and can be traveled by car or bicycle. The Camino de los Nogales is a 10-kilometer route through an agricultural area that can be traveled by car, bicycle or on foot. Along the way, you reach Rinconada de Nahuelpan on the slope of Cerro Piltriquitrón, where you’ll find Cascada de Nahuelpan and opportunities for horseback riding.

The valley of El Bolsón brings together organic farming, handicrafts, confectionery and beer production, and tourism. The Feria Regional Artesanal de El Bolsón, which dates back to the 1970s, is part of the area’s cultural and productive tradition. During the summer season, activities at Cerro Perito Moreno include walks, a climbing and adventure park, horseback riding, snow play and local mountain cuisine. Alongside hikes and scenic routes, crafts, regional products and seasonal activities are therefore also worth considering when planning a trip.

When looking for a hotel in Bariloche Department, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: short hikes, multi-day treks, scenic routes, or cultural and culinary experiences. The destinations and activities described here offer different ideas to help you decide.

Río Negro as a wider travel region

Río Negro can also help you plan a trip beyond Bariloche Department. The Tren Patagónico connects Viedma and San Antonio Oeste with San Carlos de Bariloche. The journey takes you through changing landscapes, from the Atlantic coast across the steppe to the Andes. Check the train schedule before planning your trip.

Explore more destinations

Llao Llao, San Carlos de Bariloche, Villa Mascardi, Río Villegas, El Foyel, Puerto Blest, Adolfo Alsina Department, Pilcaniyeu Department

For the main travel overview: Río Negro.