El Bolsón - Río Negro - Patagonia - Argentina
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delcampo@elbolson.com
Tel.:
(02944) 49-2297
Ruta 40 Norte entre Maipú y J. B. Justo
delcampo@elbolson.com
Tel.:
(02944) 49-2297
Ruta 40 Norte entre Maipú y J. B. Justo
The Craft Fair of El Bolsón is one of the main attractions of the town. With more than 50 categories of products, it has a famous reputation for creativity and quality.
This is an activity “par excellence” through which the rural character and scenery can be appreciated. There are tourist operators that offer trips of varying difficulty and length. Some of them are: Cabeza del Indio, Mirador del Río Azul, Bosque Tallado, Cascada Escondida, Jardín Botánico, Cerro Amigo and Camino de Los Nogales.
You can hire these services which include food and appropriate equipment at any of the travel agencies in the city.
The various mountain huts to which you can climb to are: Cajón del Azul, Hielo Azul, Motoco, Piltriquitrón, Cerro Lindo, etc. Only the Cajón del Azul and Cerro Piltriquitrón can be considered day trips; other walks require an overnight stay in the hut.
This is one of the best places in the country for paragliding, with tandem flights with an instructor available.
From the airport situated in the heart of the town, you can take plane rides, operated by experienced pilots. From the air you can see Cerro Tronador and the snow-capped mountains that separate us from Chile.
Visit to the local ornithological museum, and view its recently published book about birds of the patagonian mountains which has been well-received.
This is a 10 km route that takes in the fields of plantations of soft fruit, organic vegetables and hop, dairy products and trout farms. From here you can see the Nahuelpan Waterfall on the slope of the hill Huemules where there are two scenic waterfalls that emerge from the rocks. One can be seen almost completely, while the other is hidden in the cracks. Both of these cascades join in a fast-running stream providing irrigation to all the fields that are in its course. At the base of the waterfall there is a wooden cross and a virgin. From there you can see the mountains: Hielo Azul, Dedo Gordo, Perito Moreno with its ski slopes and Loma del Medio. Returning south, you can see like a great painting, Cerro Tres Picos rising from the base of Lago Puelo.
Also known as Cerro de la Cruz, after the cross constructed on its
summit, that can be seen from the town.
It is located 2 km east from the centre of town at the foothills of
the Piltriquitrón. This site is one of the natural reserves in the
town, so established to protect the cypress forest that covers the
hillside. It also preserves other species such as radal, laura, ñire
and maitén, shrubs such as michay, maqui, broom and black hawthorn,
climbing plants like mutisias, flowers like amancay, lichen, barba
del monte, mosses and fungi.
Because of its location on the slopes of Cerro Piltriquitrón it does
not receive direct sunlight until evening, which produces a lesser
degree of evaporation of rainwater. This gives the hills a feature
of moisture that influences biodiversity.
You can reach:
“Mirador Sur”, from there you can see Lago Puelo and its mountain
ranges.
“Mirador de la Cruz”, where you can have a panoramic view of the
town and Cerro Lindo, Cañadón del Río Raquel and Hielo Azul.
“Mirador Norte” where you can see the area of farms and Camino de
Los Nogales, and the access to Rinconada Nahuelpan, Mallín Ahogado,
Cerro Perito Moreno and the back of the impressive Cerro
Piltriquitrón.
On Mallín Ahogado Circuit at km 6.5 you turn left to the road to the
Botanical Gardens and Cascada Escondida.
Here you can learn about the different species of the Andean
Patagonian forest.
There is a path descending to the base of the waterfall which falls
from about 30 mts and is hidden among the forest of Loma del Medio.
It is formed by the Arroyo del Medio before flowing into the River
Quemquemtreu.
At km 8.7 is the Cascada Mallín Ahogado featuring a 20 mts. high
fall. This is created by the Arroyo del Medio and is surrounded by
native vegetation; at the bottom of the cascade there is a beautiful
deep pool.
From there you can reach the Belenus Theme Forest where you can find
fairies, elves and other mysterious creatures that inhabit the
native forest. All the sculptures shown form the collection “The
Spirit of the Forest” and are original pieces, designed and made by
sculptor Ernesto Bertedor with Mariana Ortiz.
At km 13 in the Chacra Iaten k’Aike meaning “where stones live” in
the language of the tehuelche, is the Museo de Piedras Patagonicas,
consisting of a major private stone collection. This covers all
geological profiles of the different areas of Patagonia and has an
outdoor area where you can tour the theme park of Patagonian geology
and view the exhibits presented on tree trunks and roots in a
beautiful setting.
At km 10 you turn left to the road to the winter sport center “Cerro
Perito Moreno” located 25 kms from the centre of town.
The base of the mountain is 950 mts above sea level and the summit
of the mountain is 2,216 mts high.
It has a T-Bar ski lift (1 km long), two smaller lifts and a ski
lodge. The chair lift is under construction.
You can practise conventional activities such as skiing and hiking,
snowboarding and hiking with snowshoes.
The Club Andino Piltriquitrón, operates all the activities at the
resort, including the ski school during the winter holidays.
www.capiltriquitron.com.ar
Lacking the infrastructure of a large winter resort, Cerro Perito
Moreno is, however, an ideal place for families.
Located west of the town, at a distance of 5 kms from the centre,
you can visit Mirador del Río Azul. The exceptional views allow you
to appreciate the valley of the Río Azul with its crystalline
winding waters that flow into Lago Puelo with Cerro Tres Picos in
the background, the snowy range to the west and Loma del Medio to
the east.
1 km further on the road to the Mirador you reach the Cabeza del
Indio.This is a rocky formation to which the carving action of the
glaciers have given a human form.To fully appreciate this feature
you need to walk about 300 mts from the car park.
On your way back, you come to the junction that leads down to the
coast of Río Azul. There is a campsite where you can enjoy nature.
This mountain identifies El Bolsón. The “Piltri” as it is commonly
called is thought to provide energy and peace.
Visiting El Bolsón and not going to the “Piltri” is like arriving at
the lake and not putting your feet in it.
13 kms from the centre of El Bolsón a winding gravel road, takes you
to a platform on the mountain, aproximately 1,000 mts high, which is
the end of the road for vehicles. On foot it takes about 4 hours
from the town.
The site provides a beautiful view of the valley of El Bolsón and is
the launch pad for paragliding flights. It is considered one of the
best places in the country to practise this sport wich you can
experience with a registered instructor in tandem flight. From the
car park, the path leads you to the Carved Forest located at 1,400
mts above sea level, a walk wich takes approximately 45 minutes.
There are a set of 40 works created by a group of local and national
artists on dry fallen trunks of lengas (beech) in the woods. Another
20 minutes walk from the forest takes you to the hut, 1,500 mts
high, where you can enjoy refreshments. It is the only refuge in the
area that overlooks El Bolsón and the whole valley. You will be able
to see Cerro Tronador in the National Park Nahuel Huapi and the
volcano Osorno in Chile depending on the weather conditions.
From the mountain hut you can hike to the summit (2 ½ hours) or the
top edge Huemul (1 ½ hours).
It is only 20 kms from El Bolsón and the National Park is the
smallest in the Patagonian Andes. It occupies about 23.700 hectares
and is located at 200 mts above sea level. Due to this altitude it
has the warmest waters of the area and temperatures reach 35ºC in
summer. It is characterized by the presence of ancient alerce trees
(or lahuanes), a wide variety of bird species that live there, and
for a particular botanical diversity (avellanos, olivillos, ulmos
and coihues among others).
At the northern end is the recreation area where, during the summer
season, there is an information booth, a cafeteria and restaurant
with toilets, and an area for barbecues for everyday use. There are
two campsites, with and without amenities and in the resort “La
Playita” there is a vehicular camping.
This is an ideal place for nautical activities, sport fishing, bird
watching, flora and fauna, hiking, horseback riding or just enjoy
the water and beaches.
Mode of access: From the Tourist Information Ofice in El Bolsón take
San Martín avenue to the south. When you cross the parallel you are
in Chubut province .Continue along the paved route No. 16, cross two
roundabouts towards the village of Lago Puelo 18 kms from El Bolsón.
3 kilometers further on you arrive to the National Park.
Once in the park, the road leads directly to the pier, where there
is a boat ramp, the Prefectura Naval Argentina office and a bus stop
for the buses to and from El Bolsón.
From the pier there two excursions on the lake
-The trip to El Turbio crosses the lake from N to S up to one of the
oldest settlements in the area. It is a beautiful valley with
beaches, streams and forests that are located on the southern end of
the lake. The most striking is the impressive Río Turbio, main
tributary of Puelo Lake, which is named after the strange colour of
the water given by the clay sediments of the glaciers and extremely
cold water. In the background there are two mountains named Cerro
Tres Picos (2,500 mts) and Cerro Plataforma due to their
characteristic forms. From El Turbio there are paths that lead to
the mountains.
The other boat tour (or walk) is towards Los Hitos in the West end
of the Park on the border with Chile .There you can hike to the
international border along one of the paths used by the first
colonists who came from Chile. This was before the day of an
official border. Here the lake is narrow and crosses the border as a
fast flowing river, that becomes the Lago Inferior on the Chilean
side.
From Los Hitos you can continue your trip on foot to places and
small villages in Chile (Segundo Corral, Llanada Grande, Río Puelo,
Cochamó). These are walks that last several days and must be
reported at the Gendarmería before undertaking.
A local travel agency offers an excursion “crossing the Andes by
boat” across the rapids, along the international boundary and
Inferior Lake.
Along the road leading to the park, 1 km from the pier to the east,
there is a road to La Playita. This is the most visited recreation
area. With its fine sand, warm water and gentle slope, it is
considered the best resort in the region. A climb to the Mirador
will take in most of the sights of the park, the lake and its
mountains.
You can explore the coastal vegetation by climbing on the rocks or
just to enjoy the water and beaches.
The “Bosque de las Sombras” (Forest of the Shadows) is located
between the pier and La Playita. It´s a path within a dense forest
of pitras, also called pataguas, and you will find signs indicating
local species of plants. This type of forest, known as pitranto or
pitral, only grows in swampy ground and moderate temperatures, few
frosts and heavy rains (up to 1,500 mms per year) and a snowfall of
less than 5 cms. During May it is visited by flocks of araucan
pigeons that spend winter and spring feeding on the fruits of
pitras.
Río Azul delta lies to the west of the pier. It is another ideal
place for walks, sunbathing, water sports and fly fishing.
Path “Pitranto Grande”
A delightful walk in wich to enjoy the charms of the the forest. The
path begins near the road to the Intendencia (Park Administration
office) and ends in La Playita. It can be taken in the opposite
direction.
Poplar trees, willows, myrtles, pitras, hip, murra and many more
species combined with birds, streams and the sounds of the forest
are part of the road that leads to the Pitranto Grande. You cover
1,000 mts between one end and the other and the surface of the path
feels like a very soft mattress.
The Old Settlers Path
This can be reached in two ways. One is from the Intendencia (Park
Administration Office) and the other along the path that leads to
Pitranto Grande. If you choose the second option, you must take the
road to La Playita, park your car and walk about 100 mts as far as
the fork of the path to Pitranto Grande. Here you will see signs, a
small meadow and large poplars. Turn left, cross the fence and the
path will take you into the woods across a marshy area. Old
treetrunks are used as bridges to cross the river. Then you get to a
forest of maple trees and soon you can clearly see the remains of an
ancient settlement with gardens and fruit trees. Following the path
through native forest you reach an area where a botanical garden of
native plants will be built. Later after crossing another marshy
area the path joins Pitranto Grande.
It is a small town 15 kms from El Bolsón, known for its fertile
fields.
You can visit:
La Catarata (cascade) the path is 3 kms far from downtown. Walk up
30 minutes through the forest arriving at the top of this fall
(90mts) called Corbata Blanca (White tie).
You can appreciate the views of the farms and fields in El Hoyo.
Desemboque: this beach is 12 kms from the town. Here, the river
Epuyen flows into Lago Puelo. There is a quiet sandy beach, a forest
of pitras and arrayanes and a camping area with fireplaces for
barbecues.
Puerto Patriada: a beautiful beach on Lago Epuyen 12 kms away from
El Hoyo.
The northern entrance to the park is 97 kms from El Bolsón (57
kms asphalt and 42 km gravel but it is now being paved)
It is a full day excursion, covering the 100 kms of road through the
park from end to end, that can be done in your own car or through a
Travel Agency.
You can go on numerous walks and rides along paths and streams in
the selva valdiviana (cold rain forest).
It is one of the most beautiful National Parks in the country. The
road goes along Lago Rivadavia, LagoVerde, Río Arrayanes and Lago
Futalaufquen, and on its southern coast you arrive to Villa
Futalaufquen. A few kms further is the southern access to the park.
From Villa Futalaufquen there are 50 kms to Trevelin and Esquel
City. You can return to El Bolsón on the paved Route 40, driving
through Esquel.
From El Maitén, a small town in the Patagonian steppe behind Cerro
Piltriquitron, you could take a train trip in the Old Patagonian
Express with its original steam engine. It goes to Bruno Thomae,
which is an intermediate stopping place 55 kms from the town, and
back, on a trip taking 2 hours. The train stops on the bridge over
Chubut river where passengers can descend to take pictures of
typical Patagonian landscape.
El Maitén is an original railway town whose beginnings are closely
linked to the arrival of the train. You can appreciate the houses
built with ties and workshops where they still make handmade pieces
that are no longer built industrially.
In the Old Patagonian Express Station of La Trochita you will find a
complete museum about the life of the railwaymen, examples of
machinery and clothing. Additionally the central workshops of the
locomotives can also be toured.
The access to Río Manso is at 52 kms north from El Bolsón on
route 40.
The gravel road follows this river for about 40 kms towards the
border with Chile, penetrating deeper and deeper into the mountains
through an area of natural beauty.
Rafting excursions can be taken here.
74 kms north from El Bolsón on the road to Bariloche is the
access to Cerro Tronador and Cascada Los Alerces.
This is a full-day excursion.
