Bariloche Small Circuit

Through this well-known Circuito Chico, visitors may get to the most representative scenes of the mountain range landscape and the main commercial and recreational spots in this wonderful southern city, known worldwide.

During the first part of the tour, the urban architecture of this City in Río Negro may be observed as well as the houses raised by the first pioneers in the area, the Nautical Club and Melipal neighborhood.

Little by little, the excursion leads to a more natural area. The buildings are left behind and new splendid sceneries appear very close to Lake Nahuel Huapi. Then everything changes. There are new aromas and colors: cypresses, maitenes, coihues and ñires, among other typical trees take hold of our smell and sight.

In the summer, everything turns to red and yellow when the rose hip bushes, the blackberries, raspberries and gorses bloom to paint a new landscape.

Silence, Peace, Quietness …

Very close to the City of Bariloche, barely 8 kilometers away, there lies Playa Bonita, a very quiet beach located right in front of Huemul Island. A few kilometers away, is Bahía Serena, a small swim spot with a boat ramp. This is an ideal place to rest and enjoy silence.

The base of Campanario Hill, 1,050 meters above sea level, lies 17 kilometers away. The summit may be reached by chairlift. Afterwards, the circuit leads to San Pedro Peninsula and, later on, to Llao Llao Peninsula.

San Eduardo Chapel, Puerto Pañuelo and the famous Llao Llao Hotel are soon sighted. This old refurbished hotel offers one of the most classic postcards in Bariloche and features some of the most praised panoramic sights: the national park and Lakes Perito Moreno and Nahuel Huapi.

Llao Llao Municipal Park is in charge of protecting coihues and cañas colihue, climbing plants, bushes and many other species in the area.

Following the Circuito Chico, and after getting past other beautiful sites such as Villa Tacul and Lake Escondido, the union of Lakes Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno is reached, where visitors may cross the Angostura (narrowness) bridge. There is no doubt that this is the perfect moment to enjoy the beach on the abovementioned lakes.

The tour also leads visitors through the mountain cemetery, the Swiss settlers’ hamlet and the panoramic point of Lake Moreno, at the 40th kilometer marker.

Finally, the return covers El Trébol Pond up to the joint with Bustillo Avenue, which leads straight to the downtown area.

Circuito Chico is an excellent choice to see and enjoy Bariloche. In just 60 kilometers, the wonders of nature in Southern Argentina may be admired: lakes, mountains and forests.

• Type of tour: contemplative
• Difficulty: low.