Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Hiking in Bariloche Argentina for Fall Adventures
As mentioned in my previous notes, Bariloche in Argentine Patagonia is a major destination for leisure tourism, but it also has quite a few resources for outdoor hiking. However, due to time and energy constraints, most tourists tend to overlook these. Today, I spent the whole day hiking the Glaciar Castano Overo trail in Nahuel Huapi National Park, which can be considered as a pathfinding trip for fellow enthusiasts.
Firstly, I recommend checking the website Barilochetrekking for information on hiking in Bariloche. It provides comprehensive details about the main hiking trails, including their length, difficulty, estimated hiking time, and related refuge information. You can first understand the relevant information and then choose a suitable route based on your own circumstances.
Since we needed to return on the same day, our choices were limited. Considering the difficulty of the routes and the scenic appeal, we ultimately chose the Glaciar Castano Overo trail, which is of moderate difficulty and officially recommended to take 5 hours round trip. Here are some related suggestions:
1. To get from the center of Bariloche to the starting point of the main trails, you need to take a dedicated bus. There are two companies operating this service, and we chose Transitando lo natural. The round-trip ticket costs 25,000 pesos per person (about 160 yuan at the black market exchange rate).
The one-way trip to the starting point Pampa Linda takes about three hours, departing at 8:00 AM and returning at 5:00 PM.
2. The trail we took was not very difficult. I think it was slightly more strenuous and challenging than the leisurely hiking trail we did at Llao Llao the other day, but not by much.
It was mostly a gentle slope, and the path was mostly wide and well-trodden, making for a comfortable and slightly springy walking experience.
3. Along the river and down to the riverbank, there are many burdock-like plants, so it is recommended to wear long pants and high-top shoes; otherwise, it can be quite uncomfortable.
Refer to photo P12.
4. The scenery along the way is average, not as good as the recent trails we have taken, but the final waterfall still looks quite spectacular, with a drop of nearly 100 meters. There are about ten waterfalls of varying widths hanging on the cliff, as shown in photo P6 for reference.
Additionally, you can enjoy the scent of raw wood along the way, making for a pleasant hiking experience.
5. There were very few visitors on the trail. We saw fewer than 10 people during the two-hour hike, which is a stark contrast to the experience of having 40 people pass by every six minutes on the Fitz Roy hike.
Therefore, this trail offers a more wild and secluded experience.
These are the main points that come to mind. If you have any questions, feel free to discuss in the comments section.
