GENERAL DESCRIPTION
San Carlos de Bariloche is surrounded by a gorgeous landscape. Mountains, lakes and forest turns this corner of the world in an exceptional place for outdoor activities. We can find a very extensive net of hiking trails in the mountains nearby. While we gain altitude, we will pass the tree line to reach breathtaking views of the surroundings.
Hiking is also a great way to be in contact with the natural environment, feeling the temperature, the wind, hearing the sound of the rivers and the singing of the birds; seeing the great variety of trees, bushes and flowers. It also gives us the opportunity to share with other people our impressions, thoughts and feelings, transforming a walk into a day that can fill us with unforgettable experiences.
The Nahuel Huapi National Park offers numerous options for hiking, with different fitness level.
FULL DAY HIKES
BELLAVISTA PEAK
This hike starts in Colonia Suiza, a small cozy town 23 km (14 miles) away from Bariloche. The path ascends progressively through a Coihues and Lenga forest until the timberline where we can see the landscape all around. Bella Vista is a prominent peak, so it has a great 360° view. The way down is following the northridge, to get into the forest and finish in the community “Tambo Baez”.
Level of fitness: Intermediate
Best time of the year to do it: Spring-Summer-Fall
Duration: 6/8 hs
Colonia Suiza: 800 mts, 2624 ft
Bellavista Peak: 1770 mts, 5807 ft
Tambo Baez: 850 mts, 2790 ft
Elevation gain: 970 mts, 3182 ft (up) // 920 mts, 3018 ft (down)
CATEDRAL PEAK
We will take advantage of the chair lift of the Catedral ski resort to get the ridge of the mountain. The hike follows the ridge with spectacular views of the surroundings. On the way down we will cross high altitude lagoons and we will appreciate the transition from the high altitude desert to the dense forest in a slowly way. In the middle of the way we can have a break in Frey mountain hut, used by climbers and hikers to spend the night. Then, the trail goes down into the forest until we get back to the parking spot.
Level of fitness: Intermediate/Advanced
Best time of the year to do it: Spring-Summer-Fall
Duration: 8 hs
Trailhead on the ridge: 2050 mts, 6725 ft
Ski resort parking: 1050 mts, 3445 ft
Elevation gain: 1000 mts, 3280 ft (down)
CHALLHUACO PEAK
We will drive 45 minutes following a gravel route into the mountains, leaving the town behind. Once into the beautiful Lenga forest the trail goes up gently to timberline and then follows a ridge to the summit. This area is particularly interesting because it is on the edge between the forest and the steppe, giving us the possibility to spot birds such as the magnificent condors, or local eagles; and enjoying the views of the transition landscapes and lakes.
Level of fitness: Intermediate
Best time of the year to do it: Spring-Summer-Fall
Duration: 6/8 hs
Trailhead: 1340 mts, 4396 ft
Challhuaco peak: 2080 mts, 6824 ft.
Elevation gain: 740 mts, 2427 ft
HALF DAY HIKES
LLAO LLAO LLAO HILL
Located West of downtown, this trail goes through an impressive Coihue (Nothofagus dombeyi) forest. These giants of the forest can grow up more than 40 mts/130 ft high. Once we gain altitude we will find a forest of Andean Cipres (Austrocedrus Chilensis) mixed with other local species. To get to the top, the path climbs gradually and from the summit of this hill we will have great views of the surroundings, the most prominent peaks and a huge extension of the lakes.
Level of fitness: Easy
Best time of the year to do it: Spring-Summer-Fall
Duration: 4 hs
Trailhead: 850 mts, 2790 ft
Llao llao hill: 1010 mts, 3313 ft
Elevation gain: 160 mts, 525 ft
FUNDACIÓN TRAIL
This easy trail goes through the humid forest of the Western side of Bariloche. Making special emphasis on observing the native vegetation of the Patagonian Andean forest, it goes across an Arrayanes forest (Luma apiculata), a very special tree from this region of Patagonia. It also have beautiful viewpoints on the shore of Moreno Lake.
Level of fitness: Easy
Best time of the year to do it: Spring-Summer-Fall
Duration: 4 hs
Trailhead: 840 mts, 2756 ft
Endtrail: 800 mts, 2624 ft
Distance: 2,8 km, 1,75 miles.
PIEDRA DE HABSBURGO
To get the trailhead of this hike we will drive up to Otto peak´s ridge following the steep switchbacks of a gravel route. We will left the car at the parking spot and follow the trail that goes on the southern slope of the peak. It leads us through a beautiful Lenga forest, a variety of native tree that grows over 1000 mts/3280 ft high. The hike is mild all the way through and it ends in the Habsburgo lookout, with great panoramic views of the whole area.
Level of fitness: Easy
Best time of the year to do it: Spring-Summer-Fall
Duration: 4 hs
Trailhead: 1350 mts, 4430 ft
Endtrail: 1310 mts, 4300 ft
Elevation gain: 220 mts, 720 ft
Distance: 7 km, 4,4 miles.
