Introduction: LLAO LLAO Park & Circuito Chico
One of the nicest attractions in Bariloche is LLAO LLAO municipal park (LLAO LLAO park) which is also a part of the circuito chico (a road going around the park and a lake)
While most of the time the circuito chico is biked, we did it walking which allowed us to really get inside the LLAO LLAO municipal park and then finish the circuito chico.
We then got to get to see:
- Cerro LLAO LLAO
- Mirador de Tacul
- Lago Escondido
- Patagonia beer factory
- Punta Panoramico
Table of Contents
LLAO LLAO Park & Circuito Chico
Cerro LLAO LLAO
Once out of the bus, follow the road down and once you see the little port go on the left. While following the road, there will be at the point a board on the road with the beginning of the trail.
From there, it’s really easy. The trail is well mark and goes through the forest. The trail is for everyone and can be achieve with kids or even older people.
The trail is the same for Villa Tacul (Mirador de Tacul) et Cerro LLAO LLAO. Only at a point of the trail there will be a sign for the CERRO LLAO LLAO. Once you see it you can hike up there, enjoy the viewpoint, have a lunch break and get back down the same way to keep on till Villa Tacul.
We left our accommodation around 10h30 and where down from CERRO LLAO LLAO by 1:10pm
Mirador de Tacul
From the intersection with Mirador de Tacul & Cerro LLAO LLAO, we kept on in the forest. At a certain point there will be a kind of roundabout in the forest. Here you can find on your right a little secluded beach.
A bit further there will be a parking lot, to keep on the trail to Tacul, you will need to stay on the left and straight until you find the sign for the trail and later on the viewpoint.
Lago Escondido
Or the secret lagoon, is our next destination. As always on this trail, it’s hard to get lost as you simply have to follow the sign. First you will past trough the roman bridge which is a small rock made bridge and a bit later you will find the lagoon access via a small peer.
From there keep on until the main road (circuito chico). And start following it. If you want to do some more hiking, there is another viewpoint called Brazo Tristeza located 2,5km from the road (so 5km go and return) and later on a local cemetery. But we didn’t do any of those.
Patagonia beer factory
At this point, we had hope to catch the bus N°10 to return but the bus never arrived. We then started walking along the road and hitchhiking which is pretty common thing here. After a few kilometres (4km) a Chilean couple stopped and took us in.
They then stopped at the Patagonia beer factory, so we followed them and visited the place. You cannot enter the factory, but you can enjoy a nice draught beer there and an amazing viewpoint. There are also WCs and a restaurant there.
Conclusion
That was an amazing day, beautiful hike, gorgeous landscapes, lots of surprises.
The only complicated thing was the return has hitchhiking can be troublesome and here speaking Spanish would really be a plus. I couldn’t talk with the couple but thankfully Tina was. It would have been a bit awkward otherwise.
“The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.” – Anna Quindlen
Where to stay in Bariloche
- Budget: Alberto’s Airbnb (our top pick!)
- Mid-Range: Sol del Nahuel – Hotel & Spa
- Luxurious: Llao Llao Resort, Golf-Spa
- Apartment: Studio Bariloche
