Things to do in Bariloche

Hiking

4 Refugios traverse

Bariloche’s classic traverse: Frey, Jakob, Laguna Negra and López without coming down to town.

• Villa Catedral → Frey10 km · +700 m · 4–5 h
• Frey → Jakob9 km · +530 m · 8–10 h
• Jakob → Laguna Negra10 km · +850 m · 8–10 h
• Laguna Negra → López8 km · +500 m · 5–6 h
• López → Circuito Chico4 km · 2–3 h

Hiking

Refugio Frey

Granite spires above Laguna Toncek on Cerro Catedral. A climbing icon.

• Villa Catedral → Frey10 km · +700 m · 4–5 h

Hiking

Refugio San Martín (Jakob)

On the shore of Laguna Jakob, among peaks and lenga forest.

• Tambo Báez → Jakob14 km · +800 m · 5–6 h

Hiking

Refugio Italia (Laguna Negra)

Climbs from Colonia Suiza to a mountain lake ringed by rock walls.

• Colonia Suiza → Laguna Negra11 km · +800 m · 5–6 h

Hiking

Refugio López

A balcony over Lake Nahuel Huapi on the slopes of Cerro López.

• Circuito Chico → López4.5 km · +820 m · 3–4 h

Hiking

Cerro Llao Llao

A short forest climb to a lookout over the lakes and the Llao Llao hotel.

• Puerto Pañuelo → mirador3 km · +230 m · 2,5 h round trip

Hiking

Arrayanes trail (Llao Llao)

An easy walk in Llao Llao Municipal Park among cinnamon-barked arrayanes.

• Centro de informes → lago Moreno3 km · +35 m · 2 h round trip

Hiking

Arrayanes Forest (Villa La Angostura)

The Quetrihué peninsula forest: a 12 km trail, or arrive by boat.

• Villa La Angostura → Bosque de Arrayanes12 km · 5–6 h round trip

Hiking

Tronador & Pampa Linda

Glaciers, the Ventisquero Negro and trails to Refugio Otto Meiling, about 80 km away.

• Pampa Linda → Otto Meiling13 km · +1,050 m · 5–7 h

Hiking

Laguna Ilón

From Pampa Linda, up through lenga forest to a lake facing the Castaño Overo glacier. You can camp there.

• Pampa Linda → Laguna Ilón8 km · +600 m · 4–5 h

Hiking

Five Lagoons traverse

Five days in the high mountains, Colonia Suiza to Pampa Linda. A guide is recommended.

• Colonia Suiza → Pampa Linda36 km · 5 días

Hiking

Elves waterfall

A short walk near Lake Gutiérrez, perfect with kids.

• Seccional Gutiérrez → cascada600 m · +10 m · 1 h round trip

Hiking

Mount Bella Vista

A steep climb through forest and scree from Tambo de Báez, with 360° views of peaks and lakes.

• Tambo de Báez → cumbre9 km · +940 m · 7 h round trip

Hiking

Mount La Buitrera

Rock formations like giant mushrooms in the steppe, and condors on the cliffs. Private land, entry fee.

• Estancia → cumbre3.5 km · +600 m · 2 h

Food

Manush

Craft brewery with several spots around town. Pints and plates to share.

Food

Rapanui

Chocolate and ice cream from one of Bariloche’s best-loved names.

Food

Mamuschka

A classic downtown chocolate shop, famous for its Russian-doll look.

Food

La Fonda del Tío

The locals’ favourite canteen: huge plates, friendly prices.

Food

El Boliche de Alberto

A classic grill with generous portions, plus a separate pasta house.

Food

Familia Weiss

Mountain cooking and smoked specialities with Central European roots.

Food

Alto El Fuego

A highly recommended grill for proper Argentine beef.

Food

Cervecería Patagonia

Lakeside brewery on the Circuito Chico, with tours and tastings.

Food

Curanto in Colonia Suiza

Food cooked underground on hot stones, plus a craft fair and tea houses.

Road trips

Circuito Chico

About 60 km taking in Campanario, the Llao Llao, Punto Panorámico and Colonia Suiza.

60 km full loop

Road trips

Seven Lakes Route

One of Patagonia’s most beautiful scenic drives, through lakes and forest.

184 km from Bariloche · San Martín de los Andes

Road trips

San Martín de los Andes

A mountain town on Lake Lácar at the end of the Seven Lakes.

184 km from Bariloche · San Martín de los Andes

Road trips

Villa La Angostura

A forest village on Lake Nahuel Huapi, gateway to the Arrayanes Forest.

80 km from Bariloche · Villa La Angostura

Road trips

Villa Traful

A quiet village on Lake Traful, with lookouts and its sunken forest.

100 km from Bariloche · Villa Traful

Road trips

El Bolsón & Lago Puelo

Craft fair, berry farms and turquoise Lake Puelo, about 130 km south.

120 km from Bariloche · El Bolsón

Road trips

Colonia Suiza

The area’s first European settlement, 25 km away at the foot of Cerro López.

25 km from Bariloche · Colonia Suiza

Road trips

Circuito Grande

A full day from steppe to forest: Limay river, Valle Encantado, Traful and Villa La Angostura.

240 km full loop

Adventure

Rafting on the Manso river

Turquoise rapids between mountains: a family trip from age 5 or a wilder stretch to the border.

Adventure

Paragliding

Tandem flight with an instructor over the lake and the city.

Adventure

Canopy

Ziplines through the treetops of the Andean forest.

Adventure

Windsurf

Patagonian wind and crystal-clear water on Lake Nahuel Huapi.

Adventure

Kayaking

Paddle the bays and beaches of Lake Nahuel Huapi.

Adventure

Horseback riding

Through forest or steppe, from age 6.

Adventure

Mountain bike

Forest singletrack and downhill runs on Cerro Catedral.

Adventure

Fly fishing

Trout rivers and lakes with a fishing guide.

Boat trips

Isla Victoria & Arrayanes Forest

From Puerto Pañuelo: trails, beaches and rock paintings on the island.

Boat trips

Puerto Blest & Los Cántaros waterfall

Sail the Blest arm through Valdivian rainforest and waterfalls.

Viewpoints

Cerro Campanario

A 7-minute chairlift to one of the most famous views in the world.

Viewpoints

Cerro Otto

Cable car and a revolving café with 360° views. Closed in November and May.

Viewpoints

Cerro Catedral

Lifts up to trails and mountain cafés with the lake at your feet.

Snow

Ski & snowboard at Catedral

South America’s largest ski resort, with over 120 km of runs.

Snow

Piedras Blancas

Snow park with sleds and long slides, minutes from downtown.

Snow

Snow on Cerro Otto

Sleds, a zipline and snowshoe walks at the summit.