Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
you can overnight there or push on to
descend through spellbinding forest back
to Villa Catedral (4hr). Mountain biking,
abseiling and horseriding are other
popular summertime activities on the
mountain. Buses marked “Catedral” leave
from Moreno 470 in Bariloche.
straddle the borders of Argentina and
Chile. Wildlife includes Patagonian hares,
guanacos and condors, although in the
height of summer, humans rule the roost.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Nahuel Huapi has three distinct zones
- northern, central and southern - and
helpful guardaparques are stationed at
key points to advise on trekking, fishing
and camping.
PARQUE NACIONAL NAHUEL
HUAPI
Spanning a whopping 7050 square
kilometres, the magnificent PARQUE
NACIONAL NAHUEL HUAPI
( W nahuelhuapi.gov.ar) is deservedly one
of Argentina's most visited national parks.
It incorporates both Bariloche and Lago
Nahuel Huapi , a sapphire-blue glacial lake
flanked by forest-quilted slopes. In the
park's wild heart lie forests of cypress and
beech trees, crystal-clear rivers, cascading
waterfalls, lupin-filled meadows, ancient
craggy glaciers and formidable snow-
capped summits. Nahuel Huapi's crown
is Cerro Tronador , an extinct volcano
whose three icy peaks (around 3500m)
The northern zone
he park's northern zone , which lies
just south of the town of San Martín de
los Andes (see p.114), adjoins Parque
Nacional Lanín (see p.112). This zone
is defined by sky-blue Lago Traful ,
accessible from a turn-off on the Seven
Lakes Route (see p.116). Also here is the
Paso Cardenal Samoré , a popular overland
pass into Chile.
The central and southern zones
he central zone , which incorporates the
pretty Bosque de los Arrayanes (see p.116)
TREKKING IN NAHUEL HUAPI
Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi has an outstanding network of well-marked trails as well as
numerous campsites and refugios (basic staffed mountain huts, AR$90-100) to overnight in.
Trails link many of these refugios , allowing hikers to embark on multi-day treks or return to
Bariloche every couple of days for a hit of civilization.
The hiking season runs from December to March, although snow at high altitudes
sometimes cuts off trails. January and February are the warmest and busiest hiking months,
although this is also prime time for tábanos - intensely annoying biting horseflies that infest
the lower altitudes. Spring in the park can be quite windy, while in autumn the leaves of the
ñire and lenga trees turn a brilliant shade of red. Before heading for the hills, trekkers should
visit Club Andino Bariloche (see p.119), where knowledgeable staff give out trekking maps
and can answer questions about the status of trails, campsites and refugios as well as transport
to trailheads. They also register solo hikers for safety reasons. Club Andino offers regular guided
trekking tours to Pampa Linda (AR$250), 90km southwest of Bariloche, from where you can
hike to Refugio Otto Meiling, which cowers dramatically beneath Cerro Tronador, nestled
between the Castaño Overa and Alerce glaciers.
ACCOMMODATION
All of the park's refugios are spectacularly sited in
the park's southern zone and have bathrooms with
cold water and dorms (bring a sleeping bag, all
supplies and a torch). There are authorized campsites
at all major park locations, including Lago Roca near
Cascada Los Alerces, Los Rápidos ( T 02944 461 861) at
Lago Mascardi, and Los Vuriloches at Pampa Linda.
Hosterías within the park are expensive; pleasant
Hostería Pampa Linda , at the base of Cerro Tronador
( T 02944 490 517, W hosteriapampalinda.com.ar),
costs AR$840 half-board.
EATING AND DRINKING
River water is safe to drink untreated, as is the water
from refugio taps. Fully equipped kitchens in the refugios
can be used for a small fee, and hot meals, snacks and
an impressive selection of alcohol can be purchased
(although prices reflect the fact that everything has
been lugged up the mountain by porters).
 
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