Overview
After the energy of Buenos Aires, we were ready to trade city streets for mountain trails. We spent a week in Bariloche at the start of hiking season (late October)—snow still clung to the higher peaks, but the lower-altitude trails were open and perfect for exploring. Since we hadn’t packed for multi-day treks (no hiking poles or camping gear), we focused on scenic day hikes in Bariloche. While Bariloche has plenty of 8-10 hour or multi-day routes, we did fine incredible shorter hikes for those who, like us, want to get out into nature without renting a car.
Each of the hikes below is:
✅ Accessible by bus
✅ Free to hike
✅ Half a day or less—great for morning or sunset adventures
Recommended Hikes
- Cerro Otto
At 1,400 meters (4,600 feet), Cerro Otto offers stunning panoramic views, multiple trail options, and even a mountaintop café for a post-hike treat.
Personal Experience:
This was our first day hike in Bariloche, and I underestimated it. I had read that it was a casual uphill climb—wrong. From the start, it’s a steep ascent that gets your heart pumping. We’re experienced hikers (living in Colorado, we’ve climbed plenty of mountains), but this one definitely made our legs burn. The footing can be slippery in spots, and the top half is very exposed—so wear sunscreen!
We also tried the service road one morning, which is a much more gradual climb, though it takes a bit longer. Either way, the views at the top make it all worth it.
Route Options:
- Direct Route (Under the Cable Car)
- Difficulty: Hard
- Time: 1–2 hours to ascend (2–3 hours round trip)
- Directions: Trailhead near Avenida de los Pioneros, just past the police station.
- Details: Steep with loose rocks and full sun exposure. The final section has incredible views, but I wouldn’t recommend descending this way—it’s too slippery.
- Berghof Refuge Trail
- Difficulty: Medium/Hard
- Time: 1–2 hours to ascend (2–3 hours round trip)
- Directions: Start near Avenida de los Pioneros and Tupungato.
- Details: A moderate, shaded ascent through the forest with a few steep sections. The Berghof Refuge near the top is a great spot for a break. This is the best trail for descending.
- Service Road
- Difficulty: Medium
- Time: 1–2 hours to ascend (2–3 hours round trip)
- Directions: Start at Los Cipresales and follow Subida al Cerro Otto.
- Details: Gradual switchbacks on a wide dirt road. Not as scenic, but a good option for a gentler climb.
So hop on a bus, lace up your shoes, and get out there. You won’t regret it.
- Cerro Llao Llao
One of the best panoramic day hikes in Bariloche, with stunning views of Lake Moreno, Lake Nahuel Huapi, and the surrounding Andean peaks.
Personal Experience:
Getting to this hike was an adventure in itself. We were still figuring out the bus system and didn’t realize how much money we needed on our SUBE card (it turns out this stop costs more since it’s one of the last ones—have at least 6,000 ARS per person). Despite our little mishap, we made it!
The hike starts with a nice, easy incline. About 45 minutes in, you’ll reach an intersection—go left for a detour to the lake or right for the lookout. The final ascent is about 30 minutes, with small viewpoints along the way. The views from the top? Easily some of the best of our trip. Snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes—it’s one of those spots where you just sit and take it all in.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance/Time: 7 km (4.3 miles), ~2 hours round trip
- Directions: Take the #10 bus to Puerto Pañuelo (~3,000–5,000 ARS round trip). Walk 1.4 km (0.8 miles) to the trailhead.
- Details: A mix of forest trails and open viewpoints. If you have extra time, add the Tacul Trail to Playa Tacul for a lakeside extension.
- Villa Tacul Trail
A peaceful day hike leading to a stunning lakeside beach—perfect for a break, a swim, or a picnic.
Personal Experience:
We added this onto our Cerro Llao Llao hike, thinking, “It’s all downhill, how hard can it be?” Well, what goes down must come up. The walk to the lake was an easy downhill, but we were reminded of the uphill on the way back. But fun trail to a beautiful water view.
The water is insanely clear (and cold!), and the beaches are quiet. If you’re here in the summer, bring a towel and take a dip!
- Difficulty: Medium
- Time: ~2 hours round trip
- Directions: Follow the same trail as Cerro Llao Llao but take the turn toward Playa Tacul. There will be a fork in the road with well noted trail signs to follow.
- Details: A mix of light elevation gain and descent. The return has a gradual incline.
Sendero de los Arrayanes — Mirador Lago Moreno
A gentler hike for days when you want movement without the intensity of Cerro Otto.
Difficulty: Easy to Medium Distance: 6.4 km (4 miles) round trip, about 2 hours Directions: Take the #10 bus — same as Cerro Llao Llao — but get off at the Llao Llao Park entrance, about 0.8 km before the Cerro Llao Llao trailhead. The trail starts from this park entrance on the left side of the road.
We didn’t have time for this one but I researched it thoroughly. It runs through beautiful coihue and alerce forest and ends at a panoramic viewpoint over Lake Moreno, Isla de los Conejos, Cerro López, and Bahía López. Nothing like the altitude views from Cerro Otto or Llao Llao, but the forest walk itself is peaceful and the lake views are lovely. A good option for families or anyone who wants a gentler day.
Cerro Campanario — Short, Steep, Worth It
Difficulty: Medium Distance: About 1.2 km (0.75 miles), 30–45 minutes one way Directions: Take the #10 bus to the Cerro Campanario stop. The trail starts at the base of the cable car.
We didn’t get to this one either — we ran out of days — but it’s high on the list for next time. National Geographic supposedly named the view from the summit one of the eight most stunning panoramic views in the world. The hike is short but genuinely steep. There’s a café at the top, which is a perfect reward after the climb. As with all steep descents in Bariloche, go slow on the way down.
The Town Itself
Bariloche surprised me with how busy and city-like it felt.
I expected a Vail-scale mountain town. It’s bigger than that — built up the
mountainside, hilly, bustling, very touristy. Good restaurants, tons of tour
operators, and chocolate shops absolutely everywhere.
The chocolate deserves its reputation. Overpriced, yes.
Worth every peso, also yes. The melt-in-your-mouth quality is not an
exaggeration — I went into multiple shops and I regret nothing. Get the hot
chocolate too. These coffee shops will put chocolate into anything and that is
a feature not a bug.
The highlight of Bariloche for us had nothing to do with
restaurants or tourist attractions. Our Airbnb had a grill in the backyard.
There was a grocery store within walking distance. Ribeye cuts in Argentina
cost about $5 for a beautiful thick piece of meat. We bought charcoal, figured
out how the keg-style grill worked (learning curve, eventually rewarding), and
grilled steak every single night. Sometimes sausage. Always vegetables on the
side. After a long hike, sitting outside in the Patagonian evening, eating
steak we’d grilled ourselves for almost nothing — that’s the memory I come back
to when I think about Bariloche.
Sometimes the best part of a place isn’t on any itinerary.
Quick Logistics Summary
Getting there: Fly into Bariloche Airport — it’s small but
direct flights come from Buenos Aires and other Argentine cities. The transport
from the airport is worth researching ahead of time; the public bus option
exists but timing can be tricky. Your Airbnb host is a good resource — ours
connected us with an affordable pickup service directly.
Getting around: The #10 bus handles most of the hikes listed
here. Load your SUBE card generously. Download offline maps. Know your stops
before you board.
Best time to go: October/November for shoulder season quiet
and good trail conditions. Check specific trail status for anything at higher
altitude — some routes don’t open until later in the season.
Gear: Trail runners were fine for everything we did.
Trekking poles would have helped on the steep descents. Layers, sunscreen, and
a packed lunch are the essentials..
If your looking for more day hikes in Argentina check out my article Day Hikes from San Martín de los Andes (And Why We Almost Didn’t Go)
