Hiking in the Argentine Lake District

There are plenty of day hikes to be had in Nahuel Huapi from your base in Bariloche. One that rewards with extravagant views is the hike to the summit of Cerro Bella Vista. The trail starts at Tambo de Báez near Colonia Suiza, and slowly climbs through lush forest until you break out above the treeline to the long ridge that leads to the top of Bella Vista. The latter part of the ascent is steep, but more than worth it for the views.

An equally excellent day hike starts a short drive from Bariloche along the shore of Lake Mascardi Lake, hiking the valley under the shadow of the mighty Cerro Tronador with its cracking glaciers and cascading waterfalls. This is an easy day hike to allow yourself to be absorbed in the verdant landscapes of this region of Argentina.

One of the most rewarding days hikes from San Martin is the ascent of Cerro Falkner, which starts an hours' scenic drive from the town. The initial hike is through dense forest, until you emerge from the trees to be greeted by stunning mountain views. On reaching the summit of Falkner, these views open up 60 degrees, taking in Cerro Tronador in the south and distant Lanín Volcano to the north.

Lanín National Park has more volcanoes than just the one that give it its name. Achen Niyeu Volcano makes a great day hike, as the trail takes you a great diversity of landscapes. You trek from the beach of Laguna Verde through lush forests and then up into the black sand of a mountain desert. On reaching the volcano, there is a demanding 45-minute ascent takes you to the edge of the crater, from where panoramic views include mighty Lanín Volcano and its expansive glacier. Elsewhere in the park, Lake Huechulafquen is the trail head for many other treks, including short hikes from Puerto Canoa.

For those looking for more of a challenge, there are a number of superb multi-day hikes to be had in the Argentine Lake District.

In Nahuel Huapi National Park, a four day/three night hut to hut trek has you traversing rocky slopes, hiking from exposed ridges into deep valley and along deep blue lagoons, as you visit peaks including Cerro Navidad and the Turista Peak on Cerro López. Accommodation is in refugios, and the rough terrain makes it a good idea to hire a porter.

A shorter but wilder two day trip is the Paso de las Nubes, which has you hiking up in the clouds from Pampa Linda right up in the Andes around Cerro Tronador hard against the Chilean border. Crossing the 1335m pass on this trek affords you one of the most perfect panoramas in the Lake District. Crampons are provided for glacier walking on this hike. 

One of best ways to experience Lanín National Park , is on a four day/three night wild camping trek that starts with a boat ride across Lake Lolog to a trailhead leading up the Auquinco Valley, fording streams and hiking through remote forest. Mountain passes with views of Lanín lead across the ash-field of Achen Niyeu Volcano to its crater, and then down to the araucaria trees around Laguna Verde and the open pastures around Lake Paimún. The final leg of the trek skirts the slopes of Lanín itself through more forest to a hanging glacier.

Tackling the snowy-capped summit of Lanín Volcano is the biggest natural high the Argentine Lake District can offer. On this two-day ascent, you'll spend camp overnight at 2400m, before setting off before dawn to reach the peak in time for a truly breath taking sunrise and then descending to reach the trail head in the mid-afternoon. This is not a technical climb, but you need a good level of physical fitness to tackle Lanín and the last section requires the use of crampons and an ice axe: your guide will give full instruction, and the first day includes ice walking practice.