Complete guide to exploring Circuito Chico in Bariloche
Circuito Chico is one of the most classic and complete routes in San Carlos de Bariloche. A short but intense journey that brings together lakes, viewpoints, trails, beaches, and some of the most representative landscapes of the Andean Patagonia.
Complete guide to exploring Circuito Chico in Bariloche
Circuito Chico is one of the most classic and complete routes in San Carlos de Bariloche. A short but intense journey that brings together lakes, viewpoints, trails, beaches, and some of the most representative landscapes of the Andean Patagonia.
The route begins in the western area of Bariloche and forms a circular loop of approximately 27 km.
General information:
-
Total distance: 27 km
-
Duration without stops: 2 to 3 hours
-
Recommended duration: half a day or more
-
Road type: paved
It can be done in both directions, although the most common way is starting from Avenida Bustillo.
In winter, Circuito Chico completely changes its atmosphere. The possibility of snow transforms the landscape and makes it even more scenic.
Highlights:
-
Visit viewpoints with snowy landscapes
-
Short hikes on marked trails
-
Winter landscape photography
-
Stops at beaches and bays with fewer visitors
It is important to consider possible icy roads and allow extra time.
Summer is the most popular time to explore the circuit, thanks to more stable weather and longer days.
Summer highlights:
-
Beaches such as Bahía López and Villa Tacul
-
Walks inside Llao Llao Municipal Park
-
Cycling the route
-
Stops at panoramic viewpoints
-
Photography at sunrise or sunset
It is ideal for combining viewpoints, short hikes, and relaxing moments by the lake.
Along Circuito Chico you will find:
-
Marked viewpoints
-
Beach access points
-
Trails within Llao Llao Municipal Park
-
Food options in Colonia Suiza
-
Parking at key spots
Not all points have services, so it is recommended to plan your stops.
-
Spring: vibrant colors and fewer people.
-
Summer: stable weather and higher visitor numbers.
-
Autumn: golden tones and unique landscapes.
-
Winter: chance of snow and different scenery.
It can be visited year-round, but each season completely changes the experience.
Along the circuit you can see several iconic lakes:
-
Nahuel Huapi Lake
-
Moreno East Lake
-
Moreno West Lake
-
Perito Moreno Lake
The combination of water, forest, and mountains defines the entire landscape.
During summer and long weekends, the circuit receives a large number of visitors.
-
It is recommended to start early to avoid traffic.
-
Main viewpoints tend to get crowded around midday.
-
Spring and autumn offer a quieter experience.
-
Bring water and something to eat.
-
Fuel up before starting the route.
-
Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk.
-
Respect marked trails.
-
Do not leave trash behind.
-
Look up: you may spot the Andean Condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world.
Circuito Chico is not just a scenic drive: it is a perfect synthesis of Bariloche’s landscape. We lived within the circuit for ten months, explored it countless times, and even walked it completely on more than one occasion. It is approximately 27 kilometers long, and walking it with stops at viewpoints and beaches took us between six and seven hours. Experiencing it this way allowed us to understand it differently, away from the usual pace and with a much deeper connection to the surroundings.
How to get to Circuito Chico
The route begins in the western area of Bariloche and forms a circular loop of approximately 27 km.
General information:
-
Total distance: 27 km
-
Duration without stops: 2 to 3 hours
-
Recommended duration: half a day or more
-
Road type: paved
It can be done in both directions, although the most common way is starting from Avenida Bustillo.
What to do in winter
In winter, Circuito Chico completely changes its atmosphere. The possibility of snow transforms the landscape and makes it even more scenic.
Highlights:
-
Visit viewpoints with snowy landscapes
-
Short hikes on marked trails
-
Winter landscape photography
-
Stops at beaches and bays with fewer visitors
It is important to consider possible icy roads and allow extra time.
What to do in summer
Summer is the most popular time to explore the circuit, thanks to more stable weather and longer days.
Summer highlights:
-
Beaches such as Bahía López and Villa Tacul
-
Walks inside Llao Llao Municipal Park
-
Cycling the route
-
Stops at panoramic viewpoints
-
Photography at sunrise or sunset
It is ideal for combining viewpoints, short hikes, and relaxing moments by the lake.
Route base: services and stops
Along Circuito Chico you will find:
-
Marked viewpoints
-
Beach access points
-
Trails within Llao Llao Municipal Park
-
Food options in Colonia Suiza
-
Parking at key spots
Not all points have services, so it is recommended to plan your stops.
Best time to visit
-
Spring: vibrant colors and fewer people.
-
Summer: stable weather and higher visitor numbers.
-
Autumn: golden tones and unique landscapes.
-
Winter: chance of snow and different scenery.
It can be visited year-round, but each season completely changes the experience.
Lakes seen along the route
Along the circuit you can see several iconic lakes:
-
Nahuel Huapi Lake
-
Moreno East Lake
-
Moreno West Lake
-
Perito Moreno Lake
The combination of water, forest, and mountains defines the entire landscape.
High season and crowds
During summer and long weekends, the circuit receives a large number of visitors.
-
It is recommended to start early to avoid traffic.
-
Main viewpoints tend to get crowded around midday.
-
Spring and autumn offer a quieter experience.
Useful tips
-
Bring water and something to eat.
-
Fuel up before starting the route.
-
Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk.
-
Respect marked trails.
-
Do not leave trash behind.
-
Look up: you may spot the Andean Condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world.
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