Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
destination - the place to go for hiking,
camping, fishing, watersports, biking,
climbing and skiing.
A series of spectacular national parks
runs down the region's serrated Andean
spine, providing easy access to the
wilderness. The northernmost of
Patagonia's national parks is Parque
Nacional Lanín in Neuquén Province,
accessible from both the sleepy fishing
town of Junín de los Andes or its
dressier neighbour San Martín de los
Andes . As you head south, the dazzling
110km route between San Martín de
los Andes and the upmarket village
of Villa La Angostura affords roadside
vistas of snowcapped peaks reflected in
picture-perfect lakes as well as the first
glimpse of the gigantic Parque Nacional
Nahuel Huapi .
The route continues south to the
lakeside party town of Bariloche , the
region's transport hub and base for hiking
in Nahuel Huapi in summer, skiing in
winter and gorging on chocolate and
locally brewed beer all year round.
Further south, in the province of
Chubut, the dusty town of Esquel is
within day-trip distance of the Parque
Nacional Los Alerces , a dramatic
wilderness area of lakes, rivers, glaciers
and thousand-year-old alerce trees; it also
boasts one of the world's most famous
trains, the Old Patagonian Express .
Lanín's southern sector is best explored
from San Martín de los Andes (see p.114),
set on the eastern shores of the park's
Lago Lácar , or on the nearby section of
the Seven Lakes Route (see box, p.116).
Optimal visiting months are from
October to mid-May, when there are
organized excursions and regular buses.
JUNÍN DE LOS ANDES
It is impossible to avoid trout in
pint-sized JUNÍN DE LOS ANDES ; they not
only populate the Río Chimehuín, but
decorate every street sign and dominate
every menu. Junín is well positioned for
tours to the Parque Nacional Lanín , in
particular the area around Puerto Canoa,
the main base for treks around the
volcano and boat trips on Lago
Huechulafquen . Castelli ( T 02972 491
557) runs buses to Puerto Canoa from
Junín twice daily (1hr; AR$31), skirting
alongside the lake and passing campsites
and fishing spots such as the Boca del
Chimehuin along the way.
For something to do in town, take
a stroll around the Vía Christi sculpture
walkway, which starts at the base of Cerro
de la Cruz, a fifteen-minute walk west of
Plaza San Martín at the end of Avenida
Antártida Argentina. A path winds
through a pine-forested hillside dotted
with sculptures and mosaics depicting the
Stations of the Cross, which fuse Catholic
and Mapuche symbolism. If you are
thwarted by bad weather, check out
the Paseo Artesanal instead. Behind the
tourism office on the main square various
cabins (daily 10am-5pm) sell Mapuche
crafts alongside woollen knits and
handmade wooden crockery.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMAT ION
By plane Chapelco Airport ( T 02972 428 388), which
Junín shares with San Martín de los Andes, is 19km south
of town. A taxi to the centre costs around AR$100; on
your return, the hourly bus run by Castelli between Junín
and San Martín will drop you off at the airport on request
(AR$5).
By bus The bus station is three blocks from the main
square at Olavarría and F.S. Martín.
Destinations Neuquén (3 daily; 6hr); San Martín de los
Andes (12 daily; 1hr).
PARQUE NACIONAL LANÍN
The imposing snow-clad cone of extinct
Volcán Lanín rises 3776m at the centre of
its namesake PARQUE NACIONAL LANÍN
(entrance AR$50). Lanín sits on the
Chilean border, spanning 4120 square
kilometres of varied Andean terrain.
Fishing enthusiasts flock to its glacial
lakes and trout-filled rivers, campers
enjoy lakeside pitches at free or
Mapuche-run campsites, while trekkers
take advantage of the park's hiking trails.
Forests of monkey-puzzle trees (also
known as araucaria or pehuén ) are the
trademark of the northern section of the
park. Volcano views are best from Lago
Huechulafquen , 22km northwest of Junín
de los Andes.
 
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