What is the Circuito Chico of Bariloche and How to Tour It
Lakes, rivers, mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, snow, forests, shelters, beaches. San Carlos de Bariloche is a Patagonian city immersed in a natural setting taken from a dream. But what makes it strikingly popular for many is that it can be explored simply and with various alternatives. In this aspect, one of the roads that gathers the most landscapes is the Circuito Chico, a journey of about 60 kilometers (counting the departure from the city center), which can be done on foot, by bicycle, with your own vehicle, or with a travel agency excursion.
The Circuito Chico of Bariloche is also a very special tour for tourists since along this route there are a large number of tea houses, restaurants, steakhouses (parrillas), and breweries, all great places to taste the delights of regional gastronomy, which combines the typical flavors of native peoples and Europeans. There is also a wide variety of craft markets to buy candles, textiles, ceramics, wood carvings, leather, beauty products based on rosehip or lavender, and all kinds of things.
In this article, we want to tell you why it is worth knowing the Circuito Chico of Bariloche and what are the advantages of doing it with an excursion and other alternatives.
How to Tour the Circuito Chico
By car or rental vehicle: Doing the Circuito Chico by car is one of the most comfortable and flexible options. The road is completely paved and, with stops included, can be done in about 3 or 4 hours. This alternative allows you to stop at the viewpoints you wish, visit Colonia Suiza, or enjoy lunch overlooking the lake in one of the area's restaurants.
For those who prefer to leave the organization in the hands of experts, Best Bariloche Tours offers the Circuito Chico Adventure tour, departing from the city center and touring the main panoramic points with specialized guides. Another more exclusive option is the Circuito Chico Premium Private Tour with Lunch, which combines private transport, personalized attention, and a gastronomic stop at the Gilbert brewery, with privileged views of the lakes.
By public bus: For travelers with a tighter budget, touring the Circuito Chico by public bus is an accessible alternative. Lines 10 and 20 cover much of the route. Line 20 connects downtown Bariloche with the Llao Llao Hotel, passing through Cerro Campanario, while line 10 runs through the southern area of the circuit, from the access to Colonia Suiza to the center. Between both lines, there is a section that does not have direct transport—the Llao Llao Peninsula—so it is advisable to be willing to walk a few kilometers. Anyway, this is one of the most beautiful sectors of the tour, ideal for enjoying without haste.
By bicycle: If what you are looking for is full contact with nature, doing the Circuito Chico by bicycle is an unforgettable experience. The road, although with some demanding slopes, is perfectly passable for those with an average physical level. Best Bariloche Tours offers mountain bike rental with a helmet and map, ideal for those seeking a sports challenge. E-bike rental for Circuito Chico is also available, an excellent alternative to enjoy the route with electric assistance, facilitating the uphill sections and allowing you to go further without so much effort.
On foot, for the most adventurous: Touring the Circuito Chico walking is not the most common, but it is an option for the most adventurous. The ideal is to do it partially, combining trails and short road sections. Among the most recommended are those of the Llao Llao Municipal Park, the ascent to Cerro Llao Llao, and the paths surrounding Bahía López and Lake Moreno.
This experience is ideal for those seeking to disconnect and live Patagonia from the silence and rhythm of the environment. To make better use of time, the walk can be combined with a guided excursion or the use of public transport.
Doing the Circuito Chico of Bariloche is discovering, in just a few hours, everything the city has to offer: crystal clear lakes, millenary forests, snowy mountains, and a rich cultural heritage. Whether by car, bicycle, or with an organized excursion, it is a tour that condenses the Patagonian essence and leaves postcards impossible to forget.
What is the Circuito Chico of Bariloche
The Circuito Chico is a circular and paved road that runs through the most representative landscapes of Bariloche. Simple and short-duration trails branch off from it, leading to viewpoints of lakes, waterfalls, and mountains, but also to beaches, ideal for resting and suitable for swimming.
Strictly speaking, the road starts from the city center, bordering the southern margin of Lake Nahuel Huapi along Avenida Exequiel Bustillo. As you advance along the road, the city recedes, and the dense forest, tea houses, wooden cabins, and mountain accommodations begin to gain presence. In addition, the journey is beautified by the large number of rest stops with viewpoints and descents to the beach, where you can pause for a snack, take photos, or even swim in blue waters.
At kilometer 17 is the entrance to Cerro Campanario, which can be ascended by chairlift or on foot (from 9 AM, and 5 PM is the last ascent). Tickets cost ARS $20,000 for adults. For many tourists, this is the best panoramic point in Bariloche. From the viewpoint and confectionery located at the top, you can enjoy the most incredible views of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Victoria Island, and the snowy hills.
A few kilometers later, you can choose to open the way along Avenida del Campanario to access the San Pedro Peninsula, an ecoregion where the famous Chacra Danubio of the recently deceased Pedro Smekal is located, a field where tulips grow every spring.
Returning via Avenida Bustillo, you access Villa Llao Llao, at kilometer 23, where there is an exceptional viewpoint and other great attractions of the area: the famous and exclusive Llao Llao Hotel, or the Llao Llao Municipal Park. In the latter, you can take quiet walks through the forest and visit the San Eduardo Chapel. Very close to that place is Puerto Pañuelo, the starting point for lake excursions to Victoria Island, Arrayanes Forest, and Puerto Blest.
Several natural trails originate in this region towards different natural attractions: on one hand, the one leading to the beaches of Villa Tacul, on the Llao Llao bay and the panoramic viewpoint of Cerro Llao Llao; and on the other, the Arrayanes trail, which leads to the viewpoints of Lake Moreno.
Continuing on the route along the margin of Lake Moreno, two kilometers later is the bridge connecting its east and west parts. On that stretch, there are more trails, such as the one leading to the Bahía Los Troncos viewpoint, or the Brazo Tristeza viewpoint.
At one point on the road, you can choose a detour to the left to visit the famous Colonia Suiza, the first European settlement in the region. In this place, declared historical heritage, the original characteristics of the time of its foundation (late 19th century) are kept intact, such as the traditional gastronomic ceremony of curanto, or agricultural activities. Tea houses and restaurants, handicraft shops, and an important craft fair also stand out. The town has become an essential walk for anyone visiting the place.
Upon resuming the Circuito Chico, you border the south side of Lake Moreno and find the Cervecería Patagonia factory, ideal for a last stop and closing with Patagonian views.