Day Trips from Bariloche: The Best Excursions in the Lake District

Bariloche sits at the edge of one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet - a patchwork of deep blue lakes, beech forests, and snow-capped Andean peaks stretching in every direction. That geography makes day-tripping effortless: some of the best excursions start within 5 km of the city centre, while others take you deep into Patagonian wilderness. Here are the top day trips we recommend, with honest transport times, prices, and practical tips.

Circuito Chico - The Classic Loop

The 65 km Circuito Chico is the signature day out from Bariloche, looping west past Cerro Campanario, Playa Bonita, the Llao Llao peninsula, and Bahía López before returning via Lago Moreno. You can cycle it (rental bikes from approximately ARS 10,000 per day as of 2026 at shops along Morales and Elflein streets), or take Colectivo Line 20 from the city terminal - tickets cost approximately ARS 800 each way and run every 30 minutes. Allow 4–6 hours for a relaxed loop.

The highlights:

• Cerro Campanario (km 5.8) - a 1,049 m peak with a chairlift (teleférico) to the summit. The ride takes 7 minutes and costs approximately ARS 7,500 per person return (as of 2026). Open 9:00–18:00 daily. The panorama of Nahuel Huapi, Moreno, Gutierrez, and Mascardi lakes from the top is genuinely breathtaking - arrive before 10:00 to avoid queues.
• Playa Bonita - a pebble beach with mountain views where locals swim in summer (December–February).
• Villa Llao Llao - a small hamlet 25 km from the centre, home to the iconic Llao Llao Hotel and Resort (see our where to stay in Bariloche guide).
• Bahía López - a quiet bay with a trailhead to Cerro López (full-day hike, bring your own food and water).

Isla Victoria and the Arrayanes Forest

A full-day catamaran excursion to Isla Victoria is one of the most popular trips in Patagonia. The boat departs from Puerto Pañuelo (near the Llao Llao Hotel, reached via Line 20 bus) at 10:00 most mornings and returns around 18:00. Tickets cost approximately ARS 35,000–42,000 per person (as of 2026) and include the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi entry fee.

On Isla Victoria - the largest island in Nahuel Huapi - you walk through forests and visit a deer sanctuary. The boat then crosses to the Bosque de Arrayanes on the Quetrihué peninsula, a unique woodland of cinnamon-coloured arrayán trees (Luma apiculata) that inspired Walt Disney’s concept for Bambi’s forest, according to local legend. Allow 1.5 hours on the island before the return crossing.

Book through GetYourGuide or directly at the Puerto Pañuelo dock - arrive 30 minutes before departure. The catamaran runs year-round but may cancel in high winds; always confirm the day before in winter.

Puerto Blest - Patagonia’s Hidden Fjord

Puerto Blest is one of the wettest and most dramatic spots in Argentine Patagonia, sitting at the end of a narrow lake arm that receives over 3,000 mm of rain per year. Access is only by boat - the same catamaran that visits Isla Victoria can continue to Puerto Blest (book the extended “Cruce de Lagos” route for approximately ARS 50,000 per person as of 2026).

At Puerto Blest you walk to Cascada Los Cántaros, a 45 m waterfall, and have lunch at the refuge-style restaurant overlooking the lake. This is also the gateway to the Cruce de Lagos, the legendary journey to Puerto Montt in Chile via a series of lakes and short bus hops - a classic multiday adventure if you have extra time.

Cerro Otto

Cerro Otto (1,405 m) rises directly behind the city and rewards with a 360-degree view of the entire lake district. A gondola (teleférico) departs from a base station on Av. de los Pioneros, roughly 5 km from the centre - reach it by taxi (approximately ARS 3,500 one way) or the Line 50 bus. Gondola tickets cost approximately ARS 10,000 per person return (as of 2026). At the summit, a rotating restaurant serves lunch and afternoon tea. Open daily 10:00–18:00.

For hikers, a marked trail to the summit takes about 2.5 hours from Barrio Belgrano. Moderate fitness required.

El Bolsón - Craft Beer and Mountain Markets

El Bolsón sits 130 km south of Bariloche (1.5 hours on Route 40) and offers a completely different atmosphere: a relaxed, artisan town surrounded by fruit farms and ancient forests. The Feria Regional - a large open-air craft market on the main square - operates Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00. Entry is free.

El Bolsón is Argentina’s craft-beer capital by per-capita brewing output, and a cold pint at one of the microbreweries on Avenida San Martín is a right of passage. Buses depart Bariloche terminal hourly with El Valle or Andesmar for approximately ARS 5,500–7,000 return (as of 2026). The ride follows the Rio Azul valley - the scenery is excellent.

From El Bolsón you can also access Lago Puelo National Park, 15 km further south. Entry approximately ARS 2,500 per person. The park has superb swimming beaches and a short kayak circuit.

Cascada de los Alerces

This 20 m waterfall sits 25 km southeast of Bariloche via Ruta 40 toward El Bolsón. A roadside car park marks the trailhead (free); the walk to the falls takes about 30 minutes each way on a flat, easy path through coihue beech forest. The waterfall is surrounded by ancient Fitzroya (alerce) trees - some over 1,000 years old. Combine with a picnic at the riverside beaches further along Ruta 40.

No bus service reaches here directly - a rental car or taxi (approximately ARS 15,000 for a half-day hire) is your best option.

Lago Gutierrez and Lago Mascardi

For a quieter alternative to the Circuito Chico crowds, drive or bus 20 km south on Ruta 40 to Lago Gutierrez - a turquoise lake with a sandy beach at Villa Los Coihues. Line 50 and some summer bus services stop here. Continue another 30 km to Lago Mascardi for trout fishing and access to the trail to Cascada Los Alerces.

Practical Tips

Getting around: A rental car gives the most freedom and costs approximately ARS 25,000–45,000 per day (as of 2026) from agencies in the city centre. Remis (private taxis) can take you on half-day circuits for a negotiated flat rate - ask at your accommodation. For Isla Victoria and Puerto Blest, the catamaran is the only option.

What to bring: Patagonia’s weather changes fast. Even on clear summer mornings, pack a waterproof jacket, hat, and layers. The afternoon wind on the lake can be fierce.

Best time to visit: November to March for warm weather and full boat schedules. July–August for snow and skiing on Cerro Catedral, though many lake excursions reduce frequency.

Browse guided day trips and combination tours through GetYourGuide - group tours often work out cheaper than hiring private transport for single travellers.