Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes - Villa La Angostura - Sunset at Lago Correntoso

One of the things I did enjoy while in Villa La Angostura was to watch the sunset at Lago Correntoso which has a beautiful shore with a pebble beach.


Located right at the edge of the city, Lago correntoso is one of the seven lakes of the Patagonian region which renders spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes - Villa La Angostura - Where to stay

There are many lovely venues to stay at Villa La angostura, from Hotels af all star ratings, to Air B&B and Hostels. I Bumped into the " La Angostura Hostel" by reference from some locals.

Located at 157 8407, A. L. Barbagelata, not more than 10 blocks from the downtown area, it is a very nice house with ample common areas, a well supplied kitchen and a comfy bed, which fills all my check boxes.

The price is fair and the staff is very friendly and helpful.

 

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes - Villa La Angostura - Bosque de Arrayanes III

At the end of the trail you will find the Arrayanes forest, which used to be bigger and without other native species in the past.

a series of walkways takes around the forest, not much to see but tall trees, nevertheless they are majestic in their own way.

Definitely worth visiting, specially on a sunny day.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes - Villa La Angostura - Bosque de Arrayanes II

Now after you made it to the end of the trail you will find the "Bosque de Arrayanes" (Myrtle forest) which is not that big but it will give you an idea of the size of the trees.

The Trees are great if you are into trees, but for photo purposes they are very limited. The real treat for me was the view of the lake and the sight seeing points.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes - Villa La Angostura - Bosque de Arrayanes

My original idea was to spend a day in Villa la Angostura chilling out and preparing for the second leg of the trip which would be another 100 clicks.

But then I saw that "Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes is just outside the city, maybe 3 clicks from downtown, so off I went to spend the morning and early afternoon there. There´s a small entrance fee to the park and you can either walk or bike the 20 km trail. I biked (Helmet is mandatory)

There is only one trail which is well marked and gives you estimated time walking or biking. If you bike you will swear the first two kms which are up hill with stairs that are flimsy even for walking, meaning you have to carry your bike and gear till you hit the nice part of the trail which allows you to bike.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes - Villa La Angostura - Where to stay

Gotta tell ya that I had not booked a place to stay in Villa La Angostura, cuz I did´nt know what time I was going to make it there or if I would make it there that day.

Fortunately I made it there with plenty of daylight to look for a hostel, not that the town is so big anyway.

After checking out some other leads I had, I found "La angostura Hostel" located at 157 8407, A. L. Calle Barbagelata. I stayed there for two nights and was very satisfied with the rooms, common areas and kitchen which had all the utensils to cook a fresh trout I bought at the local fish store.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes - Villa La Angostura

So, halfway in between Bariloche and San Martin de los Andes you will find "Villa La Angostura". Having alraedy switched provinces from Rio negro to Neuquen.
Nestled in the Northern part of the Nahuel Huapi national park and surrounded by forests, Lakes and Mountains, its considered one of the most beautiful areas in the mountainous part of Patagonia, being rightfully called "The Garden of the Patagonia"

I spent a whole day to rest before starting the second leg of the trip, the town is really samll and tranquill and has some very nice surrounding areas to walk or bike on.

You might want to look for the covered bridge at one of the cities entrances.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes - From Bariloche to Villa La angostura

The seven lakes route is one of the most attractive destinations of the Argentine Patagonia ,it really starts in Villa La Angostura but really, I wanted to start in Bariloche to have bragging rights.

the distance is roughly 90 clicks from Bariloche to La Angostura, most people camp in between, but since I was at the end of the season I decided to do the trip in one day, (totally doable if you are in basic shape)Also I wanted to train for the second leg from V. La Angostura to San Martin.

I have to mention that the trip is all on good asphalt , a bit tight since the road does not have a curve but this is the most scenic part of Ruta 40 that goes all the way to Tierra del Fuego.

It has too many hills to count and is mostly and windy and windy (as in wind) specially when it hits a straight stretch around the Lake Nahuel Huapi which it circles around.

I know that this is a very frequented road by both cars and bikes, but I was really lucky since it was the end of the season plus some covid scare and I was practically the only cyclist on the road.

The trip was splendid, with a wonderful sunny day.

I stopped for lunch at the tip of Lake Nahuel Huapi and continued to Villa La Angostura arriving at 5pm.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Biking the Seven Lakes

And finally, the main purpose of my trip to Bariloche. Bike the seven lakes from Bariloche to San Martin de los Andes, crossing two provinces in a 210 click voyage.
Before even travelling to Bariloche you need to have a proper bike to do the trip. There are several options. One being renting a bike in Bariloche and paying an extra fee to return it in San Martin, or bringing it back yourself by bus.
According to my research that was more than double the price of bringing it down with me, for that there are also two options.
1- Flying it with you, for which you need to procure a bike box, taxi it to and from the airport.
2- Shipping it by bus and avoid all the airport hussle.I took the second option shipping it 3 blocks from where I live in Buenos Aires. the company name is "Via Cargo" and they have offices all over Argentina.

Upon arriving in Bariloche I took public transport from the airport to the city, got off at the shipping depot and hopped on my bike.

I stayed a day in Bariloche and departed early in the morning.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn -Another place to stay - Hopa House Patagonia

 I have to mention that Bariloche is an all year round tourist destination, so there are tons of places to stay. I am limiting myself to two places I personally stayed at.

Hopa house, located at Onelli 125 is very well located, close but not to close to the downtown area. Its a wee cheaper and a bit basic lodging but the breakfast included rocks.

I only spent a night cuz it was closer to the place I had to pick up my bike for the trip i will narrate ahead.

But was very satisfied with Location, staff and common areas of the place.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn -Where to stay - Selina Bariloche

I believe I already mentioned the Selina chain of Hotels which double as Hostels. I stayed for the first time in Cordoba (Argentina) this year.

They all seem to abyde by the same standard and one cool thing is that the wifi password is the same for all, so when you get there you´re hooked up.
The one in Bariloche is pretty cool, cuz it used to be a Hotel previously and was bought by Selina, so it has an outdoor pool and a heated one too (not included in the rooms rate).

The beds are confy and the rooms clean with ample bathrooms. Now if you are on foot you´ll have to climb a pretty steep road to get there, so if you are not already in shape you will be at the end of your stay.

 

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Another place to eat- La Marca Patogónica

As I mentioned before, I was on a mission to eat Patagonian trout in Bariloche, so besides cooking my own, I went to several restaurants to taste the different preparations.

One evening I went to "La marca Patagonica" locatedat at Urquiza 230, smack beside the "Centro Cívico square", you wo´nt find anything more downtown.

warning: it can be a tourist trap if you order without checking the menu, but if you stick to the specials, which are mostly local game and fish, you´ll be o.k.

I went for the grilled trout with rustic potatoes, something very simple whit no side effects.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Tour to Cerro Tronador

Totally not a fan of paid tours, theye are way overcharged, not bring you to the right place at the right time and tie you up for the whole day.

Never the less I did like the Tour to Cerro Troandor which included "Cascada de los Alerces" (below) and "Ventisquero negro" Glacier (Last pic), specially cuz I had just come back from a 200 click bike trip, so I needed some Pick me up and bring me time.

Organized by the biggest tour company in Bariloche, Called "Turisur" it will have tours to all of the major places of interest. This one was a whole day experience leaving at 8am and back at 6pm, with a long route and a pretty sympathetic tour guide.
The Alerces waterfall and the "Ventisquero Negro" glacier are a must see in Bariloche.

Not to mention that I paid 25 bucks for the whole day excursion, not including lunch of course.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Lake Trout

Patagonia is a world renowned spot for trout fishing, even if you do not practice the sport you may consider eating some fresh Patagonian lake trout at a restaurant or if you are staying at a place where you can cook, you can buy some at any local fish store.

 

There´s also the smoked or pickled variety, one of the eatable souvenirs you might consider bringing back home.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Rosehip paradise

 

If you ever had Rose hip tea or jam you know what I'm talking about. I will not get to explain what Rose hip is, but suffice to know that its basically a plague in Bariloche, brought by Europeans like most yummy things here, you will see them in every trail, beside the road and everywhere that is available for the bush to grow.

It is quite thorny all over, even the fruit has some prickles around it, so beware if you want to harvest some, do wear gloves.

If you go to Bariloche in late summer, or early fall you will see the bushes in full bloom, so fill free to collect some, nobody will tell you otherwise.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Restaurante Familia Weiss

Now in Bariloche you will find a wide variety of restos, touristy, family owned small, big, but i do recommend "Familia Weiss" which is one of the oldest still in bussiness restaurants that serve local
game with a German- Austrian twist.

Located at Valte O´Connor 401 in downtown Bariloche across the neo gothic Catholic Cathedral

I recommend all the trout and venison dishes and also the desserts are spectacular, specially those with berries.
I had the "Ciervo a la Cazadora" and "Peras al Borgoña", very good and not expensive at all.

Trip to Bariloche in Autumn - Hot Chocolate mandatory

In Bariloche you will find a chocolate shop in every corner and good ones too, a reflection of the German, Swiss and Austrian immigrants.

In That department one of my favourites is "Hot Chocolate" which is served in most stores

Now I´m not talking bout a thick chocolate mixed with milk and not water like some supermarket bought stuff.

I do recommend drinking hot chocolate at one of the famous chocolate stores, specially during the winter months.