Parks and the outdoors in San Carlos de Bariloche

16 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around San Carlos de Bariloche.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Catedral Alta Patagonia
Skiing
It has the biggest ski centre in South America, with a skiable area of 2 km² (0.77 sq mi), over 100 km (62 miles) of ski runs, and a lift capacity of 22,200 skiers per hour. It is located 19 km (12 miles) from Bariloche. If you enjoy hiking, there is trail to the Frey refugio which takes about 6½ hours (4 up, 2½ down). Look for the trailhead in the far corner of the parking lot.
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Cerro Campanario
Beautiful view of the lakes and mountains around—hike it (30 min, departs near the bottom of the lift) or take the ski-lift (AR$8000, ~USD$8). Get in with bus #20, 21, 10 from the center and get off at km 17.8. After the Campanario you can go on with the Circuito Chico during the same day.
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Cerro Frey trek
Considered by many as the best 1-3 days trekking in Bariloche. When it's cold enough you can skate in the lake near the refuge. When there's not too much snow you can climb the granite "agujas" (needles) near the refuge which have ways for all levels, or head to Lago Jakob. There are two ways to get in and out: the main one is from Villa Cathedral (bus #52, every hour), another (a bit longer) one starts from Los Cohiues and goes along the Gutierrez lake (bus #50).
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Cerro López
In late spring/summer/early autumn there's a trekking trail to the mountain shelter (not as easy as Otto's). It takes about 3 hours to get there and can be quite tiring, but the views from the shelter are impressive. Be sure to bring along water and some fruit to keep your energy. Colonia Suiza, a Swiss-like borough, is nearby.
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Cerro Otto
Viewpoint over the area of Bariloche. Transport there includes in the price of the cable car which cost AR$70 both ways (bus+cable car) or less one way while the other way you can hike or take a mountain bike(9 km from the city, about 2½ hours when hiking down). The rotating restaurant at the top has some impressive vistas of the region (average meal costs about AR$25) and there are some nice hiking trails behind the restaurant.
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Cerro Tronador
Visit the black glacier (ventisquero negro), see the Cerro Tronador and a waterfall over an overhanging cliff named Saltillo de las Nalcas, near the village of Pampa Linda. The busride takes about two hours, and costs AR$90 return or AR$45 one-way (Transitando, 20 de Febrero 300, Bariloche). There is an additional entrance fee to the national park of AR$50 (foreigners). With this bus, you have to hike the last 7 km to the glacier, which is a beautiful experience as there is a hiking trail and the road shows amazing landscape. Some tourist buses take you right to the sights. Near the lookout there is confiteria which sells overpriced food although location is remote and the place astonishing.
Drink
Cerveceria Artesanal Lowther
Good food and beer coupled with incredible panoramic views of the nearby lake and mountains. Beers were mostly ale styles with an IPA, brown ale, and a fruity frambuesa. Hearty portions of well cooked and presented food. The matambre a la pizza is a favorite as are the fajitas (which serves 2).
Tue-Sun 18:00 - 00:00, closed Mon
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Circuito Chico
This beautiful 25-km route can be biked or hiked. You can also do it by bus during summer (line 10). If you hike it, take bus 20 towards Llao Llao till "El Muelle". See map above for track.
Eat
Familia Weiss
Traditional Argentinian food with German influences. Dishes included lake trout, venison, etc. Rustic atmosphere.
Thu-Mon 12:30 - 15:30 and 20:00 - 23:30, Wed 15:30 - 20:00, closed TueAR$20,000
Drink
Grisu
This is a must-visit place. It has wood-like walls and it is designed in such a way that it is easy to get lost if you don't know your way around. It has a very quiet place with a huge window showing the Nahuel Huapi lake. There are no laser effects but the bartenders are experts and it is worth watching them doing all sorts of tricks.
See
Huemul Project Site
In the early 1950s, an Austrian scientist named Ronald Richter attempted to build the world's first fusion power plant on an island in a lake in the Andes, the undertaking being known as the Huemul Project. A couple of years and an equivalent of several hundred million US dollars later it came into light that Richter never had got any proof of his design actually functioning in the first place. As the patron of the project, President Juan Perón, was ousted in 1955, Richter was arrested for fraud. Today the ruins of the project can be visited on the island, and the city itself remains a center of Argentinian nuclear research.
Drink
Kunstmann
Small brewery with huge windows looking out onto the lake. Beers are mostly lager styles, including a pale lager, a fairly light bodied bock, and a strong beer called Gran Torobayo. They also have an obligatory IPA for those who aren't tired of that over-tired style.
Daily 12:00 - 00:00
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Los Arrayanes National Park
A forest of rare, orange-colored trees that only grow on a local island (and one in Japan) near Villa la Angostura. There are several cruise boats; the newest (luxurious) ship is called the "Cau Cau". Take the circuit bus out of Bariloche and catch a boat (near the Hotel Llao Llao) and have lunch, hike or bike, and enjoy the afternoon in the forest.
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Sendero de los Arrayanes
Nice 3 km hike starting close to the Lao Lao golf course. Beautiful views to Lago Moreno.
Do Not mapped
Cruce de Lagos
All-day cruise of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the National Park. Numerous stops allow you to wander in Andean rain forest, eat at the Hotel Puerto Blest and enjoy the stunning scenery from the turquoise waters of the lake. Buy the pass for a one hour cruise on Lago Frias which brings you near the snow covered volcano, Tronador. Lago Frias is milky jade green in color and the ride includes a short stop at the Chilean frontier. US$230 per person - also known as Cruce Andino.
Do Not mapped
Pampa Linda & Mount Tronador
Up to 4 days of hiking with nice tails, and a hostel, to and from Bariloche. Consult with the local national park office.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Carlos de Bariloche (CC BY-SA 4.0).