Hiking Guide: Cerro Llao Llao, Bariloche
HIKING
Cerro Llao Llao (pronounced Ciao Ciao) is an easy hike with epic views. This hike only takes 2-2.5 hours and you are rewarded with beautiful views of the surrounding lakes and mountains, whilst immersing yourself in the forest of Nahuel Huapi National Park.
How to get there:
It’s either a 45-minute drive if you have a hire car, or are happy to shell out on a taxi or uber (about AUD$24/USD16). 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 number 20 stops at multiple bus stops along Ada Maria Elfein every 20 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 Llao Llao. The buses do get extremely packed – so be prepared to stand for the 50 + minute journey.
From here, it’s about a 2km walk along the mostly flat street of Avenida Bustillos to the base of the hike. If you are lucky enough like us, you will be accompanied by a sweet and friendly neighbourhood gang of dogs along the way to help guide you!
The Hike:
Before you go, you need to register your hike with Nahuel Huapi National Park. This will also inform you if the trail is closed due to weather conditions such as high wind.
The first part of the trail ascends gradually through dense forest. This part of the trail is quite easy and very serene, although we could see why the trail is closed on windy days – we had a bit of wind, and the trees were creaking as if they were going to snap. And we did see a lot of fallen over trees and snapped branches! After the initial climb, the trail levels out for a stretch, with occasional clearings that offer preview glimpses of the landscape. The last section of the hike is steeper and involves some rock scrambling – not much, but enough to slow you down a bit and give you an excuse for pauses to take in the stunning sights!
The Top:
The view from the summit of Cerro Llao Llao is arguably one of the best in the Bariloche region. From this vantage point, you can overlook the expansive Nahuel Huapi Lake and the serene Moreno Lake. The panorama also includes prominent peaks such as Cerro Catedral, Cerro López, and Cerro Tronador. On a clear day, you can also see the distant snowcapped Andes mountain range!
The summit is spacious with rock formations providing enough flat spaces to sit and rest or have a picnic lunch. Don't rush your time here - there are lots of nooks and crannies that offer different views of the stunning scenery!
Top Tips:
If you have longer than half a day, you can combine this hike with Sendero de los Arrayanes – an additional 2 hours with the beginning of this hike about 500m back down from the trail entrance in the direction of the bus stop.
Another popular hike that includes the Cerro Llao Llao trail is the Villa Tacul loop. This 15km starts with the Sendero de Los Arrayanes hike before connecting with Cerro Llao Llao, via Villa Tacul beach.
It is a lot colder at the top, and sometimes windy, so bring warmer clothing – even in summer.
There aren’t bathroom facilities on the trail, so if you don’t want to be at one with nature, I’d recommend going at the Puerto Panuelo marina, where they have free (and nice!) bathrooms you can pop into.
