Argentina
Nahuel Huapí National Park

The Nahuel Huapí National Park is the oldest and most visited park in Argentina. It is located in the Northwest region of Patagonia, beside the Andes mountain range. It is composed by parts of the provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén. Its 71.000 hectares protect many wonders, like the immense Nahuel Huapí Lake, the 3478 meter Mount Tronador or Mount Catedral, a skier's Mecca. It is an earthly paradise, a perfect place to practice sports in the wild.

Starting point

The closest city to the park is San Carlos de Bariloche. This city has been the capital of the tourist industry in Argentina for decades. It is a beautiful city, built by the banks of Lake Nahuel Huapí, behind the Andes mountain range. It was founded in 1902 by German and Austrian colonies, and has not lost its characteristic Alpine architecture, its houses are made of wood and stone and its roofs are slanted. It has a population of 80.000 people and an excellent tourist infrastructure, with 5 star hotels, an airport, international ski resorts, camping grounds and a very busy tourist information office.

The adventure

The Nahuel Huapí National Park occupies the Southwestern region of the province of Neuquén (Los Lagos Department) and the Western extremity of Río Negro (Bariloche Department). Its Northern limit is near the Lanín National Park and it includes the Los Arrayanes National Park.

According to its vegetation, it is divided in three areas: Andes region (zona altoandina), Patagonic steppe region (estepa patagónica) and the Southernmost sub Antarctic forest in the world (bosque subantártico). The climate alternates an intensively cold Winter with a pleasant, warm Summer. The park is full of arqueologic and historic sites, it is the evidence of a 10.000 year old cultural past.

Because of its mountains and lakes, streams and cliffs and its excellent infrastructure for mountaineering and outdoor life (trails and shelters), it is an excellent place for trekking, climbing, mountain biking, skiing, rafting, diving, horse-back riding, paragliding and other nature sports. We will only mention some of the most outstanding options, but the area of the park is huge and there is an adventure for everyone.

Trekking in Mount Tronador - Black Glacier

Mount Tronador, 3.478 meters high, is the tallest peak in the park. Its slopes harbors ten glaciers, there is ice breaking off constantly, producing loud noises. The black Glacier (Ventisquero Negro) is an excellent place to observe this.

From Bariloche, access is easiest through the road that goes to lake Mascardi, after the fork that leads to Lake Roca and the Los Alerces waterfall. 77 km separate the city from the park. From Pampa Linda, the access valley to Tronador, it is easy to get to the Black Glacier, up the main trail, after 8 km of hiking or cycling. This glacier is nourished by the constant ice avalanches that fall from Río Manso Glacier, 700 meters above. Adventurers can walk on the ice formation with the aid of crampons. Inexperienced hikers can do it safely if traveling with a guide.

It is also possible to walk there from the trail that starts in Saltillo de las Nalcas, two waterfalls near Pampa Linda. Travelers must take the detour that goes to Mount Volcánico and follow the Manso river to the Black Glacier.

Another option is visiting the Otto Meiling shelter, 2.100 meters above the sea, 18 km away from Pampa Linda. The trail can be done on a horseback for two hours, followed by a one hour hike. There is also a steep hiking trail that lasts approximately four hours. The shelter has a privileged view of the glaciers. Climbers can use it as a base camp when planning to climb any of the Tronador´s three peaks: Argentino, Chileno and Internacional. These are excellent places for ice climbing.

Mount Catedral: Skiing, trekking and more

The enormous Mount Catedral, located 22 km from Bariloche and accessible to motor vehicles, offers plenty of options in for lovers of sports and nature. During the long snow season, which can last from May to October, this mountain means the most important ski center in South America. It has 50 runs and 27 airlifts. Snowboarding and free-riding are also practiced, and the park's technology can produce snow when unaided by nature.

Mount Catedral is not one mountain, it is three: Catedral Norte, Catedral and Catedral Sur, successively. Among the incredible amount of possibilities to enjoy, the Frey-Jakob route must be mentioned, uniting two classic mountaineer shelters. It is about six hours long, along well-marked trails, departing from Frey shelter. It borders Tonchek Lagoon and rises until Schmoll Lagoon and the "Soccer Field" (named after rock formations that resemble bleachers). Then it goes through the Rucao Valley and ascends Mount Brecha Negra. It ends in Jakob Lagoon. It is a height journey, full of incredible landscapes.

Kayaking, rafting and canyoning in the Manso river

Although the word "Manso" river means "tamed" in Spanish, the Manso river is a savage and mighty river, fill of white water rapids, wedged into steep cliffs and full of small falls. This river unites lakes Mascardi, Los Moscos, Hess, Roca, Steffen and Martin, along 100 km. Because of its characteristics and its beautiful surroundings, it is ideal for kayaking, rafting and even canyoning. It is a Class IV. Beginners can start out in the inferior section, Class II and III. Turbulent rapids, falls and pools guarantee adventure fun and adrenaline.

The lakes: SCUBA Diving and more

The great amount of lakes, excellent for camping, are one of the park's main attractions. Lake excursions are a classic of Nahuel Huapí tourism, specially in Lake Nahuel Huapí, which reaches Chilean territory. The most popular excursions are the ones that go to Victoria Island, the Arrayanes Forest and Port Blest.

Although the waters are cold during the whole year, its possible to practice SCUBA diving in almost all of them. The experience is full of unforgettable surprises, like schools of trout and underwater forests. Lakes Mascardi and Gutiérrez are recommended.

The park is also abundant in lagoons, like Negra, Schmoll, Tonchek, Jakob and Hualahué. Many of them are difficult to access, high above the sea, among mountains. This makes them attractive to trekking lovers. They are also ideal for bird watching.

Finally, lovers of solitude cab try out lakes Guillelmo and Steffen, far away from the classic tourist circuits.

7 Lake route on a bicycle

The 7 Lake Route (Corredor de los 7 Lagos) unites lakes Espejo, Espejo Chico, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Traful and Hermoso through Road 234, it is one of the musts in the Nahuel Huapí National Park. Although the Summer is full of visitors, it is worth trying out. An ideal way to travel the route is on a bicycle, for those who are fit and have a good mountain bike. There are excellent camping options in all the lakes and the landscape is overwhelming. Although it is a road, it is full of ups and downs and there are many trails that leave the road towards unexpected sites. The circuit begins in the picturesque town of Villa La Angostura, 90 km from Bariloche, and ends in San Martín de los Andes, inside the Lanín National Park.

Encantado Valley

67 km Northeast of Bariloche is Confluencia, where the Limay and Traful rivers meet. The place looks like a lake, because of the Alicurá Dam. The Encantado (Enchanted) Valley got its name because of its main attractions: Curious, beautiful rock formations formed by erosion. "The Finger of God" and "The Valley Sentry" are the most famous examples.

This place is ideal to spot condors, also called "Spirit of the Andes". In this region, the condor has excellent nesting spots and ample food because of dead animals in the nearby steppe.

Other Mountains and Ascents

Outstanding among others, Mounts Crespo, Cuyín Manzano, Campana, Milaqueo, Capilla, Santa Elena, Bastión and López. These reach heights between 1.800 and 2.400 meters.

We recommend consulting in the Bariloche Mountaineering Club (Club Andino) for detailed information on ascents and trekking. It is one of the most prestigious mountain institutions in Argentina. It was founded on the 13 th of August of 1931 by Otto Meiling, Emilio Frey, Juan Neumeyer and Reynaldo Knapp, pioneers of mountaineering in the region:

www.clubandino.com.ar
cab@bariloche.com.ar
+54-2944-422266

From Mascardi to Lake Hess: An Autumn Trekking

Mauricio Bianchi, an adventurer, leapt into a 4 day trekking between Lakes Mascardi and Hess, crossing rivers and camping in the forests. An intense trip full of contact with nature and fun with friends (more information).