Guided hikes along the trails and climbs of Sierra Grande. Medium-difficulty trails in the mountains surrounding the city of Sierra Grande, with a guide. Contact: Sierra Grande Tourism Office

Trail 2 – “Cerrito Llao Llao” and Villa Tacul – Bariloche

A very pleasant walk through the forest, with stunning landscapes and an unparalleled view from the viewpoint of “Cerro Llao Llao.” Once there, you can continue to Villa Tacul and enjoy its beaches, ideal for diving and spending a beautiful afternoon.

• Starting point: “Circuito Chico,” 1300 meters from Puerto Pañuelo and the Llao Llao Hotel.
• Duration: Between 50 minutes and 1.2 hours. From the starting point to “Cerro Llao Llao”: 1 hour and 10 minutes. To Villa Tacul: 50 minutes if you go from the viewpoint of Llao Llao, otherwise, 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Difficulty: Low (it has some slopes that may be difficult for older people).

Trail 3 – “Bahía López” – Bariloche

A simple and pleasant hike, ideal for beginners. It offers spectacular views of “Brazo de la Tristeza,” “Bahía López,” and the eastern side of “Capilla” hill.

• Starting point: Parking lot of the Alun-Nehuen Hotel, in “Bahía López.”
• Duration: 1.30 hours
• Difficulty: Low

Trail 4 – “Lago Escondido”

A beautiful route which consists of two trails that can be combined as an alternative hike: “Lago Escondido” and “Puente Romano.” The first takes you through the Coihue Forest, with its characteristic natural tunnel formations, and continues to the lake, which is notable in summer for the pleasant temperature of its warm waters. From there, you can continue to “Bahía de los Troncos,” from where you can enjoy incredible views of “Cerro López”, “Cerro Capilla”, the mouth of “Bahía López”, and the headwaters of “Brazo Tristeza”

Meanwhile, the trail to “Puente Romano” is a pleasant, short walk that leads to an old stone bridge built by the National Parks in 1937.

• Starting point: Playground located in front of the Ranger’s House.
• Duration: 20 minutes (one way to “Lago Escondido”).
• Difficulty: Low.

Trail 5 – Crossing the four shelters – Bariloche

This is an Andean trek that connects the Frey, Jakob, “Laguna Negra,” and López refuges. A trail for those seeking a physically and technically demanding experience. Overnight stays are provided at the refuges, which provide dinner and breakfast. This trek can also be completed part-way.

• Duration: 4 or 5 days.
• Difficulty: High.
• Walking time per day: between 4 and 9 hours.

Trail 6 – “Cerro Tronador,” “Pico Argentino” – Bariloche

At 3,554 meters above sea level, “Cerro Tronador” is the highest elevation in Nahuel Huapi National Park. From its summit, you can enjoy an incomparable view. It is also an excellent opportunity to practice high-altitude climbing. Bring an ice axe and crampons.

• Duration: 3 days.
• Difficulty: Medium/high.
• Walking time per day: between 6 and 12 hours.

Trail 7 – Double Crossing of the Andes – Bariloche

A journey through the history and culture of an entire people. South of “Cerro Tronador,” explore the legendary Vuriloche Crossing, retracing the path of the legendary Jesuit route, once used to reach Lake Nahuel Huapi. During the tour, visit villages that live self-sustaining, as well as hot springs and places few tourists can access. Crossing into Chile, you will reach a picturesque town called Cochamó. Returning through the mountain range to Paso El León, you will encounter the Manso River, filled in its middle reaches with rapids and waterfalls that belie its name.

Paso Córdoba Protected Natural Area and Red Moon Valley

The Paso Córdoba Protected Natural Area is located 12 km from the city of General Roca and is accessed via provincial route N° 6 south of the “Negro” river. Its extensive area offers a variety of environments with distinctive flora and fauna.

At the entrance to the Paso Córdoba Protected Natural Area, you can choose from a variety of trails clearly marked on the entrance sign. The trail markings offer the possibility of combining motorized and pedestrian excursions, such as the Nautical Club and the “Lagunitas” area, the Virgen Misionera trail, canyons, “Tres Cruces” viewpoints, and Red Moon Valley, which is undoubtedly the most popular spot for residents and tourists.

The Red Moon Valley offers a reddish landscape with vegetation typical of this type of clayey soil, predominantly containing hematite; from higher vantage points, the surrounding landscape can be seen, including the city, the ranches sector, the riverbed, and the main plateau to the south. Foxes and maras are common, as well as birds such as vultures and small mountain birds. Due to its high sensitivity to erosion, only hiking is permitted at this site. In addition to its present-day landscape, the Moon Valley is highly valued for its paleontological value.

The tour begins in San Carlos de Bariloche, an iconic tourist city in Patagonia, and one of the headwaters of the Patagonian Train. This suggested four-day circuit begins with an urgent proposal: the Beer Route. The production of craft beer is an art that has become deeply rooted in Bariloche where there are about 25 enterprises of this type. It is an obligatory appointment to know the secrets of its elaboration, and to carry out tastings and pairings with the exquisite local gastronomy.

The next day a transfer of 200 kms by route to Ingeniero Jacobacci is proposed to board “La Trochita”, a historic steam train that runs on narrow gauge tracks dating from 1922. In an hour and a half this unique formation runs through the 43 kms that separate Jacobacci from Ojo de Agua, where the proposal is to enjoy lunch in this place located in the middle of the Patagonian plateau and return to Jacobacci also aboard the Old Patagonian Express.

After a well-deserved rest in this quiet town, which is the head of the so-called “South Line” in the Province of Río Negro, we go in search of adventure to the “Carrilafquen Chica” and “Grande” lagoons, where different nautical activities can be carried out. From there, a tour of the Plastic Waste Recycling Plant is suggested to learn about this interesting project that will generate genuine fuel for “La Trochita”, from the recycling of plastics from the population of municipalities on the South Line.

In this area, livestock, particularly activity, stands out, so it is possible to know the way of life of the “crianceros” (breeders), how they work and perform their tasks, and have lunch in a rural establishment. Later, to continue learning about the productive activity in the area, a visit to the “Maria Isabel” deposit, a diatom mine, one of the most prominent in the production of sanitary stones for cats and pets. It is necessary to take into account to request authorization a few days in advance to enter this factory.

In the late afternoon, you will have to go to the old train station to board the Patagonian Train, where you will travel throughout the night to arrive in the morning at the city of Viedma, capital of the Province.

The experience on this train is a journey in itself. From the mountain range to the sea, the railway crosses the entire Patagonian steppe; the landscape is a desert, barely dotted by small towns. Inside the train, it will be necessary to take advantage of the daytime hours to admire the Rio Negro geography in its entirety, dine in the dining car, and then rest in a comfortable private cabin. In the morning, have a breakfast watching through the window how the landscape is changing to finally arrive at Viedma, where this circuit ends.

It should be noted that the route could well be done in the opposite direction, since the two head cities of the Patagonian Train have good accessibility to arrive by land or air. It is advisable to check the schedules and frequencies that may vary throughout the year and to book in advance, especially if you plan to board the train with your own vehicle, a service that is also offered and it facilitates the logistics of the route.

On the southern shoreline of the Rio Negro there is the capital of the homonymous province, Viedma, which is one of the entry portals to the Argentine Patagonia, located in the northeast of the region. The city of Carmen de Patagones is located on the north bank, with which they make up a Tourist Region.

To discover the treasures of the Río Negro Coast, a five-day itinerary is proposed, arriving in the city of Viedma that receives daily frequencies of flights and buses from different destinations in the country.

Viedma is characterized by its pleasant waterfront and lush vegetation, by the spas and calm waters, inviting to carry out different activities related to nature. The city was declared the “Birthplace and National Capital of Canoeing” and has numerous nautical clubs that offer this crossing.

Taking Provincial Route No. 1, 30km from the Rio Negro capital, you get to “El Cóndor”, an ideal beach resort for those seeking rest and tranquility. This small tourist village is characterized by the extension of its beaches and invites you to enjoy and discover nature with different recreational options: beach resorts, wind sports, water sports and fishing. It is recommended to visit the waterfront, the Río Negro Lighthouse and the Malvinas Memorial; and the largest Barranquero Parrot Colony in the world stands out, reaching 175 thousand specimens.

Taking the coastal road that links “El Cóndor” with the Port of “San Antonio Este”, you have the possibility to visit different beaches such as “El Espigón”, “Playa Bonita”, “La Lobería” and a place unmatched by its nature: the Punta Bermeja Wildlife Reserve, a permanent roost of more than 4,000 one-haired sea lions that has a wildlife interpretation center and wildlife guards that accompany visitors to contemplate the sea lions and other species of the region.

Returning to the coastal path, beaches such as “Bahía Rosas” and “Bahía Creek” invite you to enjoy exceptional natural settings to spend the day with your family, ending the “Camino de la Costa” in “Puerto San Antonio Este”.

It is recommended to continue the tour of Río Negro and visit San Antonio Oeste characterized by the Bay of San Antonio, where you can navigate on adventure excursions and make exciting marine fauna watching living an experience that allows you to get closer to the pure and wild nature of the San Matías Gulf.

At 15 km, “Las Grutas” is located, and this is the tourist center that owes its name to the sea forming deep caves called “Grutas” on the wall of its cliffs. The warm waters that allow you to enjoy the beach until the last hours of the day are the characteristic feature of the destination.

During the months of August, September and October, specimens of the southern right whale approach the shores of the San Matías Gulf. The onboard sightings are made in semi-rigid boats for 10 to 12 people, and are offered from “Las Grutas” or from “Puerto San Antonio Este”. It is a fascinating and intimate experience, where these giants of the sea approach the boats and can be carefully observed in their habitat.

In the area, it is also recommended to visit the Urban Center, and the Submarine Park, an artificial reef created from the sinking of a ship. Diving in the depths of the ocean near the artificial reef full of underwater life is one of the most rewarding experiences for divers from everywhere who come to “Las Grutas”. This Submarine Park will be the largest in South America, where three ships are already sunk and two more are planned to sink soon.

50 kms from there, the “Salinas del Gualicho” is well worth, and it is a 72mbnm depression from where the salt of marine origin is extracted and sent to Bs. As for its purification, they are the largest salt flats in the country, and the third ones of industrial importance in South America.

You must also see in Río Negro the Patagonian Train, which runs through the province from the sea to the mountains, starting from Viedma and passing through 11 towns until it reaches San Carlos de Bariloche. It is a journey of 827km in which you can enjoy the majestic landscapes of the Patagonian steppe, in a formation that has cabins, a dining car, a cinema and a disco. In addition, there is now the possibility of linking this trip with the historic train “La Trochita”, which runs between Jacobacci and the town of Ojos de Agua.

Continuing this coastal journey in a southern direction, you will find “Playas Doradas”, a quiet tourist village ideal for resting and enjoying the sun. This beach has very fine sands, unique in the country since they are the result of the fragmentation of quartz and silica, which produce the golden reflections that give the place its name. The beach is 3,000 meters long and 500 meters to the sea, and with some gently sloping, it is a unique combination of sea, nature and serenity. Among the activities for tourists, fishing (grouper, dogfish, octopus, mullet), diving, kite surfing, wind surfing, and other sports stand out.

Throughout the tour you can find different gastronomic proposals that take the best of traditional cuisine and new and innovative gourmet proposals. The San Matías Gulf treasures seafood in abundance. Fish and seafood arrive at restaurants within hours of being extracted from the depths to be transformed into delicious dishes in the hands of a group of chefs and cooks who know all the secrets to extract the best of their properties.

The most characteristic products are octopus, scallops, mussels, hake, salmon, and haddock. Seafood is transformed into delicious pickles and casseroles or eaten gratin or in sauces that accompany delicious pasta. Fish such as salmon and haddock and hake are ideal to be grilled and covered with delicate sauces. Grouper, sole, snook and silverside, clams and cholgas are also highly appreciated by consumers.

The area called “Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42” (Andean region of parallel 42) is the place at the Patagonia where more of these opportunities have been developed, combining holistic centers with high mountain activities which make people feel well.

This itinerary starts at the locality of El Bolsón, Province of Río Negro, and proposes a circuit of 4 days experiencing the therapies that are offered in the area such as exuberant nature.

San Carlos de Bariloche is the closest airport. One hundred and twenty-five kilometers to the south, going along Route 40 you reach El Bolsón, a magic place where energy flows through people, fauna, rivers and waters, mountains and forests.

Holistic spaces, therapy centers, lodgings including spa and wellbeing professionals offer multiple proposals for those who seek to connect with their being. Meditation, holistic and Thai massages, tai chi chuan, reflexology, yoga, reiki, floral therapy, acupuncture, head Indian massage, tai na massage, gong baths, aura reading and “astro tarot” are some of the therapies offered. There are also courses, seminars and workshops for those who seek to start or deepen their knowledge in the art of being well.

Only 15 km away from El Bolsón, already in the province of Chubut, there is the locality of Lago Puelo. As its name implies, there is a beautiful water mirror – located within the homonymous National Park – where it is possible to go on gentle navigations or enjoy the mountainous surroundings on trails by the lake.

To the south, in the town of Epuyén, we suggest a visit to the Buddhist Stupa. Stupas are spiritual monuments that represent the compassionate and wise minds of the masters and invite our own mind to awaken to its full potential. You can take photos, go around the Stupa, meditate and be charged with positive energy. Of course, gastronomy is not alien to this trend. In the area, the farms with production free of pesticides that work with seasonal products stand out. You can visit, tour the organic gardens, learn about the production of artisan products, and some of them also offer the possibility of enjoying lunch and snacks in an environment of peace and tranquility.

In this sense, lovers of good living will also find a unique place in Lago Puelo: the place where the first authentically Argentine whiskey is distilled is “La Alazana”, pioneers in the cultivation of exclusive barley varieties for whiskey. The double distillation process is carried out in copper stills of their own design and construction. The microclimate of the “Piltriquitrón” hill valley ensures a long and smooth maturation, giving it the stamp of Patagonian Whiskey. 

Without doubt, this is a circuit that promises a total renewal of body and spirit. It offers an introspective journey, to lose yourself and find yourself, to return there again and again.

Intendancy: Av. San Martín 24, San Carlos de Bariloche (8400), Río Negro.

(0294) 4423111

nahuelhuapi@apn.gob.ar