Things to do in  Lake District

Within the parameters of Nahuel Huapi National Park, you’ll find Belfry Hill (Cerro Campanario—a 3,442-foot (1,050-meter hill that reveals what are said to be the best views in Bariloche. From the hill summit, see San Pedro Peninsula, Lake Moreno, the Llao Llao Peninsula, and several snow-capped mountains.

Stretching over 1.8 million acres, Nahuel Huapi National Park is Argentina’s oldest national park. Centered around the region’s largest lake, Nahuel Huapi, and encompassing the popular resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche, this enormous park offers mountain and forest hikes, and the opportunity to cruise the lakes.

The glittering lakes of Nahuel Huapi, Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Machónico, and Lácar are the star attractions of the aptly named Road of the Seven Lakes (Ruta de Siete Lagos). Running through the heart of the Patagonian lake district, the 65-mile (108-kilometer) drive is one of the most spectacular in Argentina.

Rising 11,660 feet (3,554 meters), Tronador Hill (Cerro Tronador) is Bariloche’s highest mountain. It sits on the border between Argentina and Chile, nestled between two national parks. The mountain’s name comes from the Spanish word for thunder, a reference to the rumbling icefalls from the area’s seven glaciers, which are audible from a safe distance.

Victoria Island (Isla Victoria)—the largest island in Nahuel Huapi lake—lies at the heart of the eponymous national park. The island is characterized by rugged coastline, volcanic black-sand beaches, and pine forest, and features a backdrop of snow-capped peaks; all of which make it one of the most picturesque spots in Argentina’s Lakelands.

If you’re planning a road trip through Argentina’s Lake District, the Seven Lakes Road is, without a doubt, the region’s most scenic route. The aptly named stretch of National Route 40 between San Martin de los Andes and Villa La Angostura winds its way past mountains, beech forests, and waterfalls, along with two national parks, and seven of Patagonia’s most beautiful alpine lakes.

With a surface area of 210 square miles (338 square kilometers) and extending over the Chilean border, Nahuel Huapi Lake is Argentina’s largest. At the heart of the Lakeland region, visitors come to explore the beaches, islands, and lakefront towns of Nahuel Huapi against a backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

Capilla de San Eduardo (San Eduardo Chapel) is one of Bariloche’s most-loved buildings. Established in 1938, the neo-Gothic chapel was built from local stone and cypress logs, and designed by Alejandro Bustillo, the same architect behind the Hotel Llao Llao next door. The chapel lies within the Nahuel Huapi National Park and offers excellent views inside and out.

Arrayanes Forest (Bosque de Arrayanes), named after the rare Arrayán trees that grow along the northern shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, is Los Arrayanes National Park's star attraction. Covering more than 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) along the Quetrihué Peninsula, it’s a picturesque spot for hiking and wildlife watching.

With its tufa-brick façade, slate roof, and wooden balconies, the Bariloche Civic Center (Centro Cívico) pays homage to the town’s German and Swiss heritage. Dominating the central square, the complex is classified as a National Historic Monument and offers great views of Nahuel Huapi Lake.

Glacial Mascardi Lake lies within sprawling Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina’s oldest national park. On land, visitors can admire several peaks of the Andes Mountain range, hike along trails, and soak up the sun on one of the beaches that lie along its shore, while water activities include swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing.

With its waters that teem with fish, Lake Gutiérrez is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from the northern Patagonian city of San Carlos de Bariloche. Situated within Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina’s oldest protected land, it’s an excellent spot for a day of water sports and fishing.

Otto Hill (Cerro Otto) is a mountain that stands on the outskirts of Bariloche. With several activities and attractions in addition to the cable car ride up, sweeping vistas, and 360-degree revolving mountaintop restaurant—the only one of its kind in Argentina—Otto has turned what was formerly just a lookout point into a tourism center.

At the far western end of Lake Lacár, by the tranquil shores of Lake Nonthué, Chachin Waterfall (Cascada Chachin) spills 100 feet (30 meters) through the green Valdivian forest. This isolated cascade near the Chilean border is a highlight of Lake Lacár boat trips and one of the most popular outings and day trips from San Martin de los Andes.

At the meeting point of two countries and two national parks—Argentina’s Lanin National Park and Chile’s Villarrica National Park—Lanin Volcano is one of Patagonia’s highest mountains. A popular side trip from Bariloche or San Martin de Los Andes, the snow-covered volcano is known for its perfectly conical peak and challenging summit hike.