Hiking Guide: Campanario Hill, Bariloche
HIKING
If you want to see Bariloche from above, there is no better viewpoint than the top of Campanairo Hill. This viewpoint is accessible to everyone thanks to the chairlift that traverses up the mountain offering stunning views. However, if you are wanting to spend some time immersed in nature, get your heartrate up or even just to save AUD$12/USD$8 by not taking the chairlift, the hiking trail is the way to go.
How to get there:
Getting to Campanario is relatively easy, despite its location out of the town centre. It’s either a 30-minute drive if you have a hire car, or are happy to shell out on a taxi or uber (about AUD$21/USD$14). Uber technically isn’t legal here, so they may ask you to sit in the front. I’ve caught several Ubers in Bariloche with no issues.
The cheapest way to go is the public bus. The numbers 10 and 20 stops at multiple bus stops along Ada Maria Elfein every 10-15 minutes and costs less than AUD$1/USD$.70c each way (at time of writing). To catch the bus you need a SUBE card – this is the same card as used in Buenos Aires, or you can pick one up at one of the many kiosks around town. You can’t pay cash on board. Just swipe your SUBE and say to the driver you are heading to Cerro Campanario. It’s a popular stop, so often the driver will call out the stop name, and half the bus will get off.
The buses do get extremely packed – so be prepared to stand for the 40-minute journey.
The Hike:
Once you get to the base of the mountain where the chairlift is, keep walking right and you will see the sign for the start of the trail.
It’s a short but mighty trail, taking approximately 30-45 minutes to ascend the 217 metres through the forest. Despite the steep trail and the calf burn, it’s a popular hike, so be prepared to see quite a few other hikers – luckily, the trail is wide enough in most parts so you don’t have to stop every time you cross paths with others. The you won’t see much in the way of views on the way up as you are walking through the trees.
The Top:
Once you are at the top, you are greeted with panoramic views of Patagonia’s lake district. From the different viewpoints around the top you can see Cerro Otto, Lopez, Cathedral, Bella Vista and the Andes, Nahuel Huapi and Moreno lakes, and Victoria Island – just to name a few!
There is also a restaurant you can eat up here or enjoy a drink. The tables next to the windows have sweeping floor to ceiling views of the landscape, and for that reason the restaurant can get extremely busy. We packed our lunch and made use of the available table and chairs down at a different viewpoint that also had an amazing view, and perfect for our penny-pinching ways!
There are also bathrooms at the top, as well as souvenirs and snacks for sale.
Top Tips:
In summer, I heard the trail can get REALLY dusty. So wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty, and bring your sunglasses!
If it’s been raining, the terrain can also be muddy. We went two days after heavy rain and it wasn’t too bad, but once again ensure you wear appropriate footwear.
It is a lot colder at the top, and sometimes windy, so bring warmer clothing – even in summer.
Instead of jumping on the bus back to Bariloche right at the bottom, I would highly recommend extending your walk 30 minutes and visiting Cerveceria Wesley for a beer or two, then catch the bus back from there. This brewery was one of my Bariloche highlights! You can read more about it here.
