Senior Spanish School

LAKE PERITO MORENO

This is a medium-sized lake with a neck dividing it into two separate sectors: the Eastern Lake and the Western Lake.

Although it is not a spectacular fishing ground, the Eastern Lake has a couple of places helping to break the monotony of waiting for the bite.

One of them is on the section of shore at the mouth of the Casa de Piedra stream, that flows down from Jacob lagoon. The rainbow trout is one of the several species that can be caught here, although the most attractive one is the "fontinalis", which is also frequently fished.

All the length of this shoreline can be easily transited, although its front end is swept by the full strength of the dominant western winds, this being somewhat inconvenient. This is the reason why it is preferable for fly fishermen to visit it only on calm days or days with a gentle breeze from the east.

Another recommended fishing place is the mouth of Goye stream, born in Negra lagoon. The most advisable way to reach this sector is by leaving Colonia Suiza, and traveling down Provincial Route N° 79.

West Lake Perito Moreno is characterized by being almost completely inaccessible from the coast. The sector belonging to Angostura stream, joining it to Lake Nahuel Huapi, near López Bay, is really outstanding for fishing.

Estimated area: 11.8 km2
Maximum length: 6.7 km
Maximum width: 2.9 km

VILLA LLAO LLAO


Twenty-four kilometers from San Carlos de Bariloche, there is a splendid group of bungalows by the shore of Lake Moreno. This is a beautiful village that was created in the 90's by the Llao Llao Hotel.

The city has a small but booming commercial area, a harbor, an important hotel offer, and a spectacular natural environment that matches Patagonian splendor. It also has a beautiful chapel.

Saint Edward's Chapel stands on the top of a hill, enjoying an excellent panoramic view of the hotel and most of the village. Inside the building, you can admire the stained glass windows by artist Marcos Jerman and a valuable painting by Raúl Soldi.

Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, the raison d'être of the village, was opened in 1938. As it is located on a rise between lakes Moreno and Nahuel Huapi, it offers an exceptional view. It was reopened in 1993. It has 164 rooms plus luxurious suites, a tearoom with a winter garden, a heated swimming pool, and a golf course with 9 holes.

When tourists arrive at the hotel parking lot, they are greeted by a panoramic view of Lake Moreno and the cottages in the village. They can also see snowcapped Mt Tronador, between López and Capilla hills.


LLAO LLAO MUNICIPAL PARK
Llao Llao Municipal Park is a protected nature reserve that includes a recreational conservation area of wilderness woodland. It is located between kilometers 26 and 31, in Circuito Chico.

It has a surface area of 1,200 hectares. Within it one can clearly distinguish Llao Llao peninsula and Conejos Island, with its high canopy mixed wood including coihues, cordilleran cypresses, bushes, canes, climbing plants, mosses and ferns, the habitat of diverse species of birds, reptiles and small mammals.

On the lakeside areas, the vegetation mass consists of myrtles, pataguas, chilcos, pañiles, marsh grasses such as nalcas and ferns. The latter are found on riverbanks inside the wood as well as at river mouths.


PUERTO PAÑUELO
Right across Llao Llao Hotel, it is the most important lake harbor and departure point for the excursions over Nahuel Huapi lake and to cross over to Chile. The arrival and departure of the beautiful catamarans that ply the lake is an attractive sight.

CERRO CATEDRAL


Catedral has everything for relaxation or for sport, for a future skier and for the expert. The massif with its imposing Gothic spires produces a sensation of eager anticipation in the prospective skier. Cerro Catedral is therefore a veritable "cathedral of skiing", an activity that finds here its most harmoniously dazzling environment:

Cerro Catedral annual brings together beginners, intermediate and advanced learners and internationally competitive skiers. Every year it celebrates the National Snow Festival with a firework display and a torchlight procession down the mountain that thrills the visitors from different parts of the country and the world that come here to share this magic moment.

During winter, in the Antonio M Lynch winter sports center, national and international skiing and the other snow-related sports are practiced here.

Its 200 hectare skiing surface area, its 97 kilometers of ski runs, the varied styles and skill levels of its slopes, and their magnificent views afford both beginner and expert skiers everything they need to do major skiing. Oh! And I almost forgot the snow, all the snow one has here.

Cerro Catedral is located 19 kilometers from San Carlos de Bariloche, in Nahuel Huapi National Park. To get there from the city center you have to go along Avenida Bustillo to kilometer 8, and from there to the Salmon Pisciculture complex along an 11-km side road and, after going through Villa Catedral, you get to the base of the mount at 1,000 m altitude.

This is one of the country's and South America's main ski centers. It is at 2,388 meters above sea level, and has about 200 hectares of skiing slopes, with over 70 runs for all levels and excellent elevation devices.

With its 200 hectares of skiing area, and its 97 kilometers of ski runs at all skill levels and for all types of skiing, together with the spectacular views it offers of snowcapped peaks and lake Nahuel Huapi, it has everything the skier could wish for to obtain maximum enjoyment.

The mount is located in an open area, enabling full appreciation of the Cordillera in all its magnitude. The visitor can enjoy the mountain from one of the snack bars on the mount, while enjoying a hot chocolate drink with local cakes and sweets.

Villa Catedral harbors the traditional Hotel Catedral, and at the foot of the mount lies the refurbished Hotel Pire Hue, with its major restaurant. Among other lodging options are the Punta Cóndor and Alp I time-sharing apartments. Outside the Villa, on the lake route lie the Hostería del Viejo Molino and Bungalows Pailahue, both of very high category and with personalized service.


ELEVATION MEDIA
A number of elevation devices can take you from the foot of the Mount to the different platforms that offer snack bars and restaurants for every taste and requirement You can get back to the bottom by skiing down the different runs (in winter), or using the cableway or the sextuple, quadruple or double chairlifts.

The cableway is a shuttle-type installation with two 25-passenger cabins. These cabins move along a support cable in opposite directions (while one leaves the lower, or drive station, the other is simultaneously leaving the upper station). The latter is at an altitude of 1,885 meters.

Six metal towers serve as supports for the cable run and as maneuvering points. From the cabins one has a view over the Mount, its vegetation and ski runs, and of all the other elevation and towing devices used by skiers.

At 1,900 meters altitude is the Punta Nevada top-notch snack bar. From that point, the Lynch chairlift will take you to the summit, where you have the Refugio Lynch, the highest snack-bar/restaurant in all Patagonia.

Nevertheless, the last word in elevation media on Cerro Catedral is "Séxtuple Barrilete", a six-skier chairlift. It offers a combination of the comfort of a cableway with the best qualities of a chairlift. It leaves the foot of the Mount from the Las Terrazas mall, taking the traveler to Barrilete, where you can switch over to the quadruple chairlift for the trip to the summit.

Other ways of getting to the summit are:

Total capacity: 33 media transporting 22,200 skiers an hour.

When you have got to the top of Cerro Catedral, you will find many different places to have lunch and enjoy the view, since as well as skiing one can admire the majestic Tronador glacier, look at the huge expanse of Nahuel Huapi lake, see Victoria Island, admire the serenity of Lake Gutiérrez and look at the nearby Mt Otto.

The day wears on and you go on skiing, but you are already thinking of the enjoyment of pre-ski while zooming down the wide runs of Punta Nevada or enjoying the deep snow in Piedra del Cóndor, or the intermediate lenga forest or the "bumps" on Carlitos, or the varied run options for beginners. The next day, you will be able to go down by Amancay, Pista 6, Militares or other more difficult ones, each with its own special charm.

After this one can share the mountain convivial atmosphere of the bars and snack rooms after final descent. Varied teas with cakes including strudel, or jacuzzis and saunas, come together, forming the menu of options in pre-ski.

Thus we will come to a time when we will ask ourselves in surprise if this experience is our last one, or will be the beginning of a new lifestyle. Only those who have never been on this mount can say goodbye to Catedral.


THE SKIING CATHEDRAL
Whether you want to practice skiing in winter or enjoy an imposing view from the summit, Cerro Catedral offers you a major infrastructure of services, media and recreational activity.
It is a permanent venue for important social and cultural events, among them snowboard and professional and amateur skiing competitions, all events included in the International Skiing Federation's Annual Calendar. As from the 1997 season, artificial snow cannon were installed, that guarantee skiing activity in favorable weather conditions.

Skiing is something even a child can do, and you will be able to find teachers that will provide entertainment for the tots and peace of mind for their parents. Also, families will find every item of comfort at the same center. All information about the condition of the runs, weather conditions and ski courses can be obtained from the Ski Schools themselves.

Skiing is usually associated with good eating. In this area there is a wide offer: restaurants, snack bars, mountain kiosks. Likewise, in the city and at the ski center there are a great number of places where one can rent ski gear and clothing.

There are several schools of skiing and/or snowboarding. There are specialized teachers for the enjoyment of the tots and for parents' peace of mind. You can also find skiing and snowboarding schools with programs for beginners and for perfecting all the levels. You can take private or group lessons.

If the traveler arrives by car in the summer, taking the fork at Km 10.5, he/she will be able to visit the "Virgen de las Nieves" Grotto, the patron saint of the local mountain people, and will later arrive at Villa Los Coihues on the shores of Lake Gutiérrez.

The mount is not only for the skiers. Among activities possible for those who do not enjoy skiing are: hang-gliding, mountain biking, trekking, sled rides, snow motor-biking and four-tracks.

For those with the energy left to enjoy some night life there are discos, pubs, shows in the different restaurants, and a casino. There are also a pharmacy, public restrooms, a first-aid facility, parking lots and bus services to the city every 10 minutes.


SKIING SLOPES
The mount has two slopes that are suitable for skiing:

1) ROBLES CATEDRAL

RUNS

Punta Princesa
This run may be recommended for all kinds of skiers. It is an easy one, offering a wide variety of surfaces, from flat and level to medium-steep with some bumps. Being surrounded by rocky formations, it is a psychologically suitable place for beginners to learn. Due to its height and location, this run maintains its snow cover until the end of October, thanks to which it can be used for spring skiing.

De la Garganta
This is a run for experienced skiers. There are two possible points of access: the first lies to the left of La Hoya ski lift when you unhook, and the other is on the slope coming down from Punta Princesa. The run goes down the middle of a canyon with overhanging walls, and is considered technically difficult.
It opens out onto a narrow path leading to the exit of the third stage of the Punta Princesa chairlift.

Pista Seis "del Bosque"
This run is exclusively for advanced skiers, It is 100 m wide, and it is lined with trees on both sides. You can get there taking a right turn below the exit point of "Poma 2000". It links with the Bosque run or alternatively with a trail leading to Plaza Oertle, called "De los Leñeros" ("The Woodsman's Trail"). It is an exciting run due to the uneven terrain.

Amancay
A difficult run. As in the case of the Seis or Del Bosque runs, you approach it from under "Poma 2000". It goes through wooded areas and offers splendid views for those who enjoy nature when skiing. It leads onto the parking lot, after a short stretch on the tele-ski at the foot of the hill.

De las Nubes
For "hot ski" enthusiasts. "Bumps" and a pretty steep slope are the features of this run, that goes along both sides of the ski lift by the same name. It can also be approached by unhooking oneself on the right of La Hoya ski lift.

Carlitos
Recommended for highly expert skiers. This is one of the most difficult runs on the mount. It is an (usually) iced-over steep run with high bumps. It starts below the center ski lift hookup point, and at its most distant corner, reaches Plaza Oertle. The wooded stream running on its left side increases its difficulty.


2) ALTA PATAGONIA

De la Palmera
This is for real experts. It starts on the right of the unhooking point of the third stage of the Piedra del Cóndor chairlift. This run is an untrodden stretch of virgin snow which could be called a "deep snow skier's paradise". The difficulties it presents would be those precisely due to the poor skiing condition of the snow: most often deep and wet, although on cool, dry days skiing here becomes a veritable pleasure. During September and October, the months of spring snowfall, skiing on this run is an incomparable experience.

Del Segundo Lomo
This is an ideal place to try outside-run skiing. Like the former, it is a very difficult run, not only because of the steepness of the slopes, but also because of the conditions of the snow: mostly deep and wet. Its woods and its difficulties make it an ideal spot to do outside-run skiing.

Punta Nevada
Most days this is the paradise of powdery snow. One can therefore state that this is the best place for skiing at every level. The most commonly practiced variants are:

a) taking the T-bar from Punta Nevada you unhook on the right and get to a well-flattened run, with a middling, smooth slope with a few low bumps, up to the terminus of the cableway. Here you cross over to your left, going under the cableway station, and then turn right, going along a straight medium-sloped track with bumps up to Barrilete.

b) Take the Filo Chairlift, whose unhooking point is to the right of the Refugio Lynch Chairlift. Here we have a double option: going left to the run between the two chairlifts, or resuming the right run towards the real ridge.

Piedra del Cóndor
An excellent place for intermediate and advanced skiers. From the third stage downwards there is good quality snow. It is great for speed skiing on a medium slope with a variety of bumps.

"Intermedia"
Only for experts. Third Stage to Piedra del Cóndor. A very busy run, with very large bumps. When the ice is very "dicey", this is a terrible run for inexperienced skiers. It is the most difficult of the conventional type ski runs. Unless the traveler is an excellent skier, he/she should avoid this run.

Del Primer Lomo
Recommended for experts. In a way, it is a variant of the "Intermedia", on the same chairlift. Its snow condition is the same. It is also accessible by the long T-bar, if you unhook after the exit point from the third stage.

La Avalancha
Only for the top experts. This is the track joining Punta Nevada with Intermedia. One of its difficulties is the high speed at which it is taken by most skiers.

VILLA CATEDRAL
To get to Cerro Catedral, the tourist must first arrive at Villa Catedral, at the foot of the hill.

Villa Catedral, together with Villa Llao Llao, Villa Angostura and other such places in the National Parks were founded as a result of the policy of creating urban tourism centers all along the Cordillera.

In the vicinity of San Carlos de Bariloche, this Villa was laid out around the great Hotel Catedral.

CERRO TRONADOR

For thousands of years a thick icecap has covered the summit of Cerro Tronador. From its three peaks, eight descending tongues of ice model the landscape. With incessant movement, they dig down and push everything out of their way, rolling away the stones, gravel and earth. This slow yet steady task can be seen on visiting the Black Snowfield.

This giant, called Anon by the aboriginal population, is 3,478 meters high and is the highest peak in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Its present name, Tronador, refers to the roaring sound produced by the constant breaking off of enormous blocks of ice.

The three peaks of the mountain are known as the Argentine (3,410 meters above sea level), the Chilean (3430 meters above sea level) and the International (3478 meters above sea level) All of them are excellent challenges to mountain climbers who usually come to Bariloche during the summer. This is a show that cannot be missed.

The road to Tronador starts in Bariloche on Onelli street, which leads you to National Route Nº258. Pampa de Huemuleo is crossed in order to get to Lake Guitierrez, after crossing the Pilmayen and Melgarejo streams. At km18, on the shore of the lake, there is an inn with a uniquely lovely beach, two piers and a boat ramp. In this place, you can go for a guided ride around the area. As you leave this lake behind, you begin skirting the eastern tip of Lake Mascardi.

If you continue along this way you will get to a fork in the road. To the left you will see the start of National Route Nº254 and the road to Tronador (gravel). This is the road you should take, crossing the bridge over Manso Superior River up to Pampa Linda.

Almost at the end of this road, you will get to Manso River Glacier, better known as "Ventisquero Negro" (Black Snowfield), since it is covered with earth, sand and stones. Your trip ends a little further ahead, at the base of Cerro Tronador. A track leads to a huge natural rocky amphitheater called "Garganta del Diablo" (Devil's Throat) where there is a spectacularly high meltwater fall.


LOS ALERCES CASCADE
Los Alerces Cascade is a variant of the above excursion. Instead of crossing the bridge over Manso Medio River, you continue along the road skirting Lake Los Moscos and Manso River, until you get to a 300-meter-track that reaches this impressive waterfall. In a beautiful setting surrounded by mossy larches, you can admire Manso River strongly cascading between the rocks for a distance of 20 meters or so.

The return journey is along the same road.

Having left Lake Gutierrez behind, and instead of reaching the city the same you started de trip, you can opt for an alternative route. You can take a taking a gravel road that brances off to your left going slightly back to Lake Gutierrez. Some kilometers ahead, you will skirt the lake again, go past Villa Arelauquen and later reach a grotto called "Virgen de las Nieves" (Our Lady of the Snows). You return to the city along Bustillo Avenue.


CERRO TRONADOR VIA LAKE MASCARDI
This beautiful excursion offers the interesting possibility of visiting the area around Cerro Tronador and sailing on Lake Mascardi. You set off from the city on National Route Nº 258 toward Mascardi Harbor in order to embark on the Victory II cruise boat. You will have a wonderful one-hour-trip to Hotel Tronador. From this place, you may go up a path to the waterfall, and you can look over the 70-meter drop that gives origin to it.


COLONIA SUIZA


This is an interesting "cherry" on top of the trip along "Circuito Chico" as it is located in the area between Lake Moreno and National Route Nº 237. This small village is framed in a wild mountain environment and its picturesque wooden houses give it a very special charm.

Colonia Suiza is bisected by the Goye stream, named after its Swiss founders, surnamed Goye. A great number of the local inhabitants are descendants of these hardworking pioneers.

Two main attractions of the colony are the fish farm station located on Lake Moreno Este and the fine fruit orchards, where authentic regional preserves and other products are on sale.

Colonia Suiza was the area where Swiss and French immigrants settled. Nowadays, their descendants dedicate their efforts to the production of canned foods, jams and preserves and homemade fruit liqueurs. They also offer tourists a chance to sample traditional curanto, a typical Araucano dish made of meat and vegetables cooked over heated stones in a hole in the ground.

Many camping grounds act as bases for budding mountaineers who use the trails around Colonia Suiza to reach the refuges or lagoons in the area.

LOS ALERCES NATIONAL PARK

Los Alerces is one of the most attractive tourist centers of Central Patagonia as its spectacular natural beauty alternates virgin woods with lakes, falls and rapids, mountain ranges and majestic glaciers, which is northhwest of Chubut, the city of Esquel being the main entrance point, located about 300 kilometres south of Bariloche, a part of the Andean region and bordering Chile. It covers an extension of 263000 hectares.

It is called Los Alerces ("the larches") because it has the most densely populated larch wood in the country. It was created in 1937 with the aim of protecting this tree, one of the largest and longest-living in the world, since it had become an endangered species due to overexploitation at the beginning of the century.

The larch or lahuán (Fitzroya cupressoides) is a 30 meter high tree, on average, however, some of them can reach 50 meters height. In some cases, the trunk is 3 to 4 meters in diameter. Trees that are 2,000 to 3,000 years old show the prehistoric origin of the forest. Even when its larches characterize the Park, there are some species that are more abundant than the larch itself. For example: cinnamon, mountain range cypress, coihues, mañiúes, mutisias with orange flowers, chilcos with red flowers, virreinas with purplish flowers and liutos with yellow flowers.

As regards the native fauna of the Park, there are pumas, "comadrejitas enanas" (small weasels), gray foxes, pudúes, huemules (a variety of deer), ratones-topos, and among the birds, hualas, grebes, black-crowned night-herons, peuquitos, patos espejo, chimango caracaras, Magellanic woodpeckers, Chilean flickers and Austral thrushes.

There is also an interesting collection of native fish, such as the Patagonian pejerrey, the puyén, the peladilla and the Creole trout, and other foreign species, such as some salmonids and trouts.

You get to Los Alerces National Park along Route Nº259 (or 258) and Nº 71 (partially paved). The average temperature in summer is 20ºCelsius and the season extends from November 15 to April 15; average temperature in winter time, -2ºCelsius. Altitude: 520 meters above sea level. It snows from May to September.


LAKES AT LOS ALERCES
There is a beautiful and complex system of lakes at the Park where many rivers and streams flow and have their source. The clear lakes are surrounded by mountain ranges covered with thick woods of coihues, cypresses and lengas, and inhabited by a varied fauna.

One of the most beautiful lakes in the area is Lake Futalaufquen, with silver-blue waters, reaching Lake Verde through the fast-flowing Arrayanes river. From this spot you can follow a short path that takes you to Menéndez lake, with bluish green waters.

At the point where the three branches of Menéndez lake meet, the tourist can admire Torrecillas icefield, a glacial block 2,200 meters high. The landscape is completed with some more lakes, mountains, some of which are over 2,000 meters high, and falls and torrents that come down from the heights.

On the other hand, due to the construction of the Futaleufú hydroelectric power station, the lakes Quiñé, Epú, Culá and Situación lakes merged into a single lake called Amutuy Quimey,.

From Puerto Limonao you board for the start of the most attractive excursion in the region, sailing across the waters of Futalaufquen lake, Arrayanes river, Menéndez and Verde lakes.

When Arrayanes river is very low, and it is not possible for the boat to leave Puerto Limonao, the excursion is done by land to the Arrayanes river, taking the motorboat at Puerto Chucao on Menéndez lake.

On the right side of Futalaufquen lake there are hostels, bungalows, cottages, camping grounds and small stores for tourists.

LAKE GUTIERREZ


This sheet of water has shown a very curious behavior. Many years ago, the locals considered it a very good place to fish. Nowadays it is thought of as a low yield area for fishing. The causes of this situation seem to be the urban development of its northern tip, the strong impact on Gutiérrez stream which joins it to Lake Nahuel Huapi and the changes in certain natural spawning areas like the Pescadero stream.

The fact is that ichthyology research carried out by Universidad del Comahue, with headquarters in San Carlos de Bariloche, have shown a really interesting population of salmonids, with catches of almost 3 kilograms. The existing varieties are Fontinali, Brown and above all, Rainbow trouts.


The lake has two entry points:

1) Villa los Cohiues: You turn right and, after approximately one kilometer you arrive at an open camping ground. Among the areas suitable to fish, the most recommendable ones are the area around the mouth of Pescadero stream and all the shore area, where the park ranger's house is located (always outside the summer season). From this spot you can get to the mouth of Van Tritter stream by boat.

2) The other access is along National Route Nº 258 to El Bolsón. This takes us, some 21 kilometers ahead, to the southeast extreme where Torrontegui stream empties into the lake. As well as being really well protected from the predominant winds, this easily transited shore is the most productive one on this lake. The best moment to come is at the beginning of the season, when the water level of the stream is higher and there are still some Rainbow trouts in the area hungrily, awaiting the spawning season.

Estimated area: 16.4 km2

Maximum length: 9 Km

Maximum width: 1.5 Km

Maximum depth: 111 meters

SURROUNDINGS

In the surroundings of the town there are a wide range of tourist circuits to enjoy the hills of the area. Due to their proximity, El Bolsón, Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes towns can also be visited, all of them preceded by the natural beauty of the Seven Lakes Route (Camino de los Siete Lagos).

The following is a list of suggestions:

CIRCUITO CHICO
This is one of the most traditional excursions in Bariloche and includes a long tour. "Circuito Chico" is a trip to be repeated regularly because it offers multiple options: walking along paths through the woods, horse riding, climbing slopes, beaches and campfires, restaurants and tearooms, as well as elevation means to get to spectacular places.

Visitors are sure to thoroughly enjoy this tour.

In springtime you wind along narrow paved roads lined by walls of broom in full flower. In summer time Playa Bonita, Playa Serena, Villa Tacul, Arroyo Angostura or Lake Moreno may be enjoyed: their offer include beaches, fishing, windsurfing and water sports.

During the fall, golden poplars are reflected mirror-like in the water of the lakes, and the red hues of lengas are seen on the hills. In winter, to the majestic backdrop of mounts Millaqueo, Capilla, López, Tronador, Catedral, Ventana or Otto, you may enjoy the spectacular snow-capped peaks against the blue sky.

Besides all these options, you may also enjoy walking along the paths of Cerro Otto on a night with a full moon, getting a beautiful view of the town.

Tour
The trip starts at Exequiel Bustillo avenue, that skirts Nahuel Huapi lake. At km 8 of this road you arrive at Playa Bonita, where you may admire the view of Huemul island.

Ten kilometers from here, after enjoying different types of landscape, you get to the bottom of Cerro Campanario. From its base you can take the chairlift reaching 1,050 meters above sea level. From this place you get one of the most beautiful and fascinating views of the region: Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, El Trébol lagoon, San Pedro and Llao Llao peninsulas and Victoria island.

On top of the hill there is a tearoom where you can sample traditional European confectionery, including a balcony from which you can admire one of the most complete and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Returning to Bustillo avenue, at km 20, in front of the Regatas Club, you enter San Pedro peninsula to access the vantage point. From this place you can also visit the "Gruta de la Virgen" (Our Lady's Groot) and Puerto Bueno.

After touring San Pedro peninsula, at km 24, you get to Llao Llao villa, where San Eduardo chapel and Llao Llao hotel can be viewed, the latter a symbolic building by the great architect Alejandro Bustillo in 1939.

Once on the lake, at km 25, you can see the important and picturesque Puerto Pañuelo. Among different excursions, you can board catamarans and motorboats to visit Victoria Island and Puerto Blest.

From this point the road goes into Llao Llao peninsula and at km 30 a new road starts that leads you to Villa Tacul, over Llao Llao bay.

After going past Lake Escondido and leaving the peninsula behind, at km 33, the road goes over the bridge of Angostura stream where the waters of Moreno Oeste and Este lakes join Nahuel Huapi lake.

If you keep on traveling, you will cross Puente Angostura, over the river of the same name, that joins Moreno lakes and Llao Llao Peninsula. You get to "Punto Panorámico" (Panoramic Point), at km 40, 945 meters above sea level, from which place you can admire the majestic scenery offered by Moreno lake and Llao Llao peninsula.

If you go around Moreno Oeste lake, at km 42 there is a bridge that lets you cross the lake to get to the shore of the El Trebol lagoon. Three kilometers further on you get back to the starting point of your trip, Bariloche.


CIRCUITO GRANDE
This is one of the longest and most complete excursions (250 kilometers) and takes the whole day long.

The trip starts at National Route Nº237, you skirt Limay river and after 35 kilometers you get to the Auditorium, Roman circus-shaped. At this point there is a vantage point ("La Platea") from which you can see the picturesque river.

The trip continues to Valle Encantado, where you can see strange rock figures known as Dedo de Dios (God´s finger), Centinela (guard), Tren Expreso (Express Train) Los Siameses (The Siamese) and others.

Before getting to Villa Traful, at one bend in the road you will find El Mirador (The Vantage Point) and from 70 meters height above the lake you will have an incomparable view. The villa has small hotels, cottages, camping grounds and cafés.

Fifteen kilometers away from Villa Traful you get to Puerto Arrayán and to El Portezuelo (26 kilometers away from Villa Traful and 61 kilometers from Confluencia). Then you take National Route Nº234 or the Seven Lakes Route and you get to Villa La Angostura, skirting Lake Correntoso.

After going through a place called Quintupuray you get to Ruca Malén. If you keep on travelling to the south you will circle the marvelous Lake Espejo.

Twenty two kilometers away from El Portezuelo and leaving Espejo lake behind you, you will get to National Route Nº231, that leads to the west to Cardenal Samoré (Peyehue) Pass, Chile.

To the south, taking the same route, you will get to Villa La Angostura, at the entrance of Quetrihue peninsula. In this charming mountain villa, surrounded by spectacular scenery, you may visit Cerro Bayo with its skiing slopes, the superb Manzano Bay, the fall at Bonito River as well being able to enjoy excellent gastronomy. If you keep on traveling you will get back again to National Route Nº237, taking you back to San Carlos de Bariloche.


CERRO OTTO


Taking De Los Pioneros avenue and Sara María Furman avenue, only 5 kilometers away from Bariloche you get to the base of Cerro Otto. At this point there is a cable car, that takes tourists to the revolving tearoom/café.

The top offers varied activities: guided walks through the woods, cycling excursions on mountain bikes, rock climbing, sled trips and Nordic skiing in winter time.

Along the road you can admire thick lenga woods and many chalets built with the typical regional architecture. You will also find Piedras Blancas Center, with café and skiing slopes, among many other typical local activities that take place all year round.

The winding road continues to the top, from where a view of Nahuel Huapi and Gutierrez lakes and the Tronador and Catedral mounts can be enjoyed, as well as the San Pedro and Llao Llao peninsulas.

The ascent can also be done on foot or by bike, in which case it will take about two hours. You come back to the town taking the same road.

Cerro Otto Cable Car
The cable car transports 500 people an hour and travels 2,100 kilometers from "Estación Superior", at a regular speed of 3 meters/second, both in descent and ascent.

The tourist enjoys the trip completely protected against weather conditions, as the 42 compartments are closed and built on a steel frame, covered with polyester fiber and glazed with Plexiglas.

Revolving Tearoom/Café
After a twelve-minute ascent you get to Estación Superior, at 1,405 meters above sea level. After walking a few meters along the large gallery, you get to the top of Cerro Otto, where there is a nice chapel: El Jardin de la Oración (Garden of Prayer). This panoramic spot exhibits artistic images of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Virgin Mary.

You can also get to the large balconies offering views of the surrounding landscape. If the weather is nice, from the revolving tearoom/café you can see these majestic views. The floating platform revolves smoothly and with clockwork synchronization. The rotating speed of the café may be set between 20 and 40 minutes per revolution.

The Perfect End
As close to heaven as the superb inspiration of their Italian creator Michelangelo, his three masterworks are exhibited here: David, The Pietá and Moses.

They are three life-size copies, made of marble powder and acrylic resin according to exact replicas and moulds taken from the original sculptures. They were acquired in Florence, Italy, and the task was supervised by the Italian State.

It is worth mentioning that 100 per cent of company profits is distributed among the regional hospitals of Bariloche and Israeli Ez Rah in Buenos Aires.


VICTORIA ISLAND AND ARRAYANES FOREST


With a surface of 3,700 hectares and 20 kilometers length, this island is the largest in the lake. You get here from Puerto San Carlos or Puerto Pañuelo, at Llao Llao. From San Carlos you need to travel 11 kilometers (30 minutes by boat), and from Puerto Pañuelo, at km 225 in Ezequiel Bustillo avenue, it takes 1 hour 40 minutes.

In both cases you get to Puerto Anchorena at Isla Victoria. Once there, you may visit the ex-pine nursery. You can also take the chairlift that will take you to the top of Bella Vista hill, at 900 meters, along a narrow lane of hundred year-old coíhues and native cypresses, returning from the hill along the "blue walkways" with a series of spectacular natural vantage points.

With a first-class gastronomy center, the island represents an important natural reserve that also has cave paintings over 500 years old.

Once the excursion is over, the tourist boards the ship to sail to Puerto Quetrihué, in the peninsula by the same name, where you can visit the internationally famous Arrayanes Forest. It is an area of woodland, unique in its species in the world, with hundred year-old trees. The bark of this tree forms thin cinnamon-colored flakes with white spots. It has white flowers similar to orange blossom and purplish tasty fruit. The Arrayanes Forest has been declared an "untouchable" area and a natural monument.


SEVEN LAKES IN BARILOCHE


This excursion includes all the variety of landscapes that may be enjoyed in this privileged region. The trip to San Martín along a wooded road crosses rivers and streams and skirts several lakes (Nahuel Huapi, Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner and Machónico) on whose shores there are beaches and several panoramic lookout points.

Going round Lacar lake you arrive at San Martín de los Andes to have lunch and visit the town. On your return through Cordoba Pass the landscape is different. After going round Meliquina lake, the wood disappears and is replaced by strange but beautiful rocky formations. When you arrive at Confluencia, the winding blue Limay river adds its touch to a magical view of the Valle Encantado and the "Anfiteatro" (Amphitheater). To get back to Bariloche, you just have to follow the river bank up to its starting point at Nahuel Huapi lake.


MANSO RIVER - BARILOCHE


It is fed by the Manso, Castaño, Overo and Los Alerces glaciers, all of them located on the eastern slope of Tronador hill. For a total of 100 kilometers, this impressive river flows through the Nahuel Huapi, Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner and Machónico lakes which form the Manso basin, one of the five basins protected by the Nahuel Huapi National Park.


CERRO CAMPANARIO


The trip starts at Bustillo avenue, skirting Nahuel Huapi lake. At km 8 you will find Playa Bonita and after that there is a road known as "Cruce Catedral" leading to "Virgen de las Nieves", Cerro Catedral and Gutierrez lake.

Remaining on National Route Nº237, and skirting Nahuel Huapi lake, you go past Puerto Moreno, Playa Serena, the Jockey Club racetrack and at km 17, you get to the Cerro Campanario chairlift. You can go to the top of the hill, at 1,050 meters altitude. There is a cross in memory of the first mass celebrated by Msgr De Andrea on February 2, 1930.

The beautiful tearoom at the top offers a chance to admire one of the most fascinating and exciting views in the region: Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, El Trebol lagoon, San Pedro and Llao Llao peninsulas, Isla Victoria, Otto, López, Goye, Catedral and Capilla mounts and the wonderful mountain range surrounding San Carlos de Bariloche.

In winter, the chairlift runs up to around 6 p.m. and in summer time, when nightfall is later, till 7:30 p.m.



OTHER DESTINATIONS NEAR BARILOCHE