Description
A short journey in distance, but vast in sensation. This excursion unfolds a sequence of untouched landscapes, suspended atmospheres, and ecosystems unlike any other in Patagonia.
It begins at Puerto Pañuelo, about 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Bariloche. A quiet, steady navigation crosses Lake Nahuel Huapi and arrives at Puerto Anchorena, on Victoria Island.
From there, several paths open up: guided or self-guided trails that wind through native forests, hidden beaches, high viewpoints, and areas once used for forest cultivation. Some trails lead to sites with ancient rock paintings, traces of the region’s earliest inhabitants. Others offer only the pure silence of the landscape.
The second leg of the journey continues across the lake toward the Quetrihué Peninsula, where a forest seemingly lifted from a storybook awaits: the Arrayanes Forest. A wooden boardwalk allows passage through this rare ecosystem. The cinnamon-colored bark of the arrayanes, soft and mottled with white, twists upward, forming groves of tangled trunks and filtered light. Many rise more than 50 feet (15 meters) tall, creating a setting that feels dreamlike.
No physical effort is required to enjoy this experience. Trails can be followed at one’s own pace. The island offers rest areas, a café, and panoramic overlooks perfect for quiet pauses.
Departure and return times vary depending on the season and daylight hours. What remains constant is the timeless beauty of a landscape that feels untouched by urgency.
