Hiking

For day hikes along the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, try the trails of the Circuito Chico in Parque Municipal Llao Llao. For altitude and grand panoramas, take the ski lift to the top of Cerro Catedral and follow the ridge trail to Refugio Frey, returning down to the base of the ski area. West of Bariloche, turn right at Villa Mascardi onto the dirt road to Pampa Linda; from there you can take a day-long hike to the Otto Meiling Refuge or make shorter forays to the glacier and nearby waterfalls. A three-day trek will take you right past Tronadór and its glacier, along the Alerce River, and over the Paso de los Nubes (Cloud Pass) to Puerto Blest, returning to Bariloche by boat.

Paseo de los Duendes. Looking for a child-friendly excursion? The 1-km (½-mile) Paseo de los Duendes—or Walk of the Gnomes—in Villa Los Coihues leads to a small but pretty waterfall. You can also hike onward for a view of the nearby Lago Gutiérrez or follow the 7½- km (4½-mile) trail to Playa Muñoz. Once a campground, this area is still regenerating, and while wide paths make it easy to navigate, it does not have the same impact as other hiking trails. Perito Moreno, Villa Los Coihues, Bariloche, Río Negro, 8400.

Parque Municipal Llao Llao. Llao Llao Municipal Park has two main trails, each approximately 3 km (2 miles) long. One takes you through the mixed forest of coihues and mountain cypresses to the top of Cerro Llao Llao for a stunning view of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The other continues on to the small coastal beaches of Villa Tacul (Tacul Village), where you can paddle in the lake or explore the ruins of what is thought to be an abandoned World War II bunker. Access the park by taking the Route 20 bus to the end of the line or driving along Av. Ezequiel Bustillo until you reach the beginning of the Circuito Chico. Av. Bustillo Km 27.5, Bariloche, Río Negro, 8400.