entrance fee
$250 ARS (foreigner)
$150 ARS (local)
Highlights
Lago Nahuel Huapi
Cerro Tronador
Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi is a national park in Río Negro, Argentina and easily accessible from San Carlos de Bariloche. Established in 1934, Argentina's oldest national park derives its name from Lago Nahuel Huapi, the massive lake at its center. In Mapudungun, the indigenous Mapuche language, nahuel means "puma" and huapi means "island." The lake is allegedly home to Patagonia's version of the Loch Ness Monster, Nahuelito, who was allegedly first sighted in the lake in 1922, by Martin Sheffield, a North American gold prospector. To this day, no photographical evidence can confirm the creature’s existence. Despite being far from the ocean and at high altitude, the lake is home to kelp gull and imperial (blue-eyed) cormorant, both traditionally oceanic birds.
The mountains of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi feature world-class trekking and an extensive network of refugios. In winter, tourists hit the slopes at Cerro Catedral, South America's largest ski-snowboard resort, located only ~20 km from Bariloche.
Trekking & Refugios
Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi features world-class trekking supported by a network of refugios. Before you hit the trails, visit Club Andino Bariloche (CAB), the mountaineering organization that manages all the refugios in the Bariloche area. CAB can provide information on trail conditions and refugio prices and availability (as of 2017, Refugio Frey was the only refugio requiring a reservation). Before visiting CAB, pick up a complimentary map from the Intendencia Parques Nacionales office, located across the road.
Club Andino Bariloche
Av. Morales y 20 de Febrero
GPS: -41.135306, -71.310353
Intendencia Parques Nacionales
San Martín 24
GPS: -41.134577, -71.310373
Cycling in Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi
Cerro Catedral Loop
Distance: 17 km (loop only)
Ascent: +647 m
Road conditions: 80% paved
Cerro Catedral is a mountain 19 km southwest of Bariloche and home to Argentina’s largest ski/snowboard village. Enjoy fantastic views of Lago Nahuel Huapi and the surrounding park as you ascend (on pavement) to the ski village. From Cerro Catedral you have two options: (1) turn around and enjoy the paved downhill; or (2) continue the loop and make the sharp descent to Lago Gutierrez on corrugated ripio (poor condition).
Bicycle Patagonia Tour
The first route of the travels from Bariloche to El Bolsón on Ruta 40 through Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. View this route.
