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 Estimated reading time: 2 min. |
  Marcelo Sola |
To go on this excursion, we must go to the base of the mount, lcoated only 9 Km. from downtown Villa La Angostura. For such purpose, we will go along Arrayanes Avenue heading for Bariloche along Nationa Route 231 and, after 3 Km., we will turn left into rubble Provincial Route 66, along which we will travel the 6 Km. left to get to our final destination.
At the base of Mount Bayo, the local guide will be expecting us. He will escort us during the whole tour as he will explain to us all the details about the local flora and fauna. |
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We will be provided tame horses which are used to touring around the mountain carrying tourists who wish to behold the splendid scenery of the region. They will be equipped with complete riding harnesses which will provided us enough comfort so as to enjoy the experience to the utmost.
Once everything is ready and once we are on the equines, we will leave through a small path heading for the intermediate area of the mount. The important thing here is that one can find the animal's pace so that it may go up steadily. It is ideal to lead it with long strides to prevent it from balking in the middle of the journey.
As we go up, the guide will tell us the story of how the ski resort was founded. This is the only winter resort in the country belonging to private hands. |
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Little by little, we will get deep into a forest area wehre the vegetation becomes thicker. We will be crossing a site with hundred-year-old lengas and coihues.
We will learn that the beards hanging from the lengas are a lichen that only breeds in unpolluted areas. The best thing to do is take a deep breath and inhale the purest oxygen. |
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We will soon discover that the road we are traveling is a ski run used by beginners during the winter season. The zigzagging trail will lead us all through the mountain slope with bends we will surpass on horseback. |
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The guide will tell us that some years ago there was a big fire on the slope opposite the mount. This fire burnt a considerable number of hectares with lengas. If we watch closely, we will notice that the mountain colors change near the top and we will see dry or burnt remains of what used to be a thick forest.
Almost withthout noticing, we will be passing through the intermediate area of Mount Bayo, where we will pay attention to the lifts. A visitor may wave at us from the chairlifts. We will also watch the machinery used during the winter to condition the trails and we will notice the grass planted by man in an attempt to make the soil firmer, thus counteracting erossion.
We will continue with our march. We will be at more than 1,500 m.o.s.l. and, by then, the panoramic sight will be impressive. |
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As we approach the top of the mount, we will notice the horses are tired by the way they brathe. A few minutes will be enough to reach the 2,000 meters, where we will get a fantastic view of the entire region. |
When we get to the summit, we will get off the horses, which will wander about in the pastures to recover their energy for the way back, at the same time we move along a small trail towards the Mount Bayo vantage point.
The panoramic sight we will get from there is unique. The silence and the feeling of quietness, at the same time our sight gets lost in the horizon, are amazing
Form the vantage point, we will see the crystal-clear waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi. On the other side, the City of San Carlos de Bariloche. Towards the right lies Victoria Island, then the Quetrihué Peninsula and the various arms of the lake. |
In front, we will appreciate the majesty of Mount Tronador with its ever snow-capped needle. Downhill, we will observe the urban lands and, to the right, we will spot Lake Correntoso.
After a few minutes of beholding and some good shots by our camera, we will return to the mount base on horseback . |
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We will drive along Arrayanes Avenue in direction to Bariloche through Nº 231 National Route. After riding 3 kilometers , we will turn left onto Nº 66 Provincial Route with gravel and we will drive for the last 6 kilometers to get to the place. |
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