Circuito Chico Guide: Cerro Campanario, Llao Llao Park, Punto Panorámico & Colonia Suiza

Winding for sixty kilometres west of downtown Bariloche along the scalloped bays of Lago Nahuel Huapi and around the forested peninsulas of Llao Llao and Lago Moreno, the Circuito Chico is the quintessential half-day or full-day introduction to Patagonia's Lake District. You can drive it by car, ride municipal Mi Bus Line 20 to Km 17.5 and Km 25, or rent a mountain bike (or e-bike) at the Km 18 roundabout to pedal the quiet 27-kilometre forest loop on Ruta Provincial 77.

1. Stop 1: Chairlift or Hike Up Cerro Campanario (Av. Bustillo Km 17.5, 1,050m)

• The 360-Degree Summit Panorama: Just before Avenida Bustillo reaches the Km 18 roundabout rises conical Cerro Campanario (1,050 metres). A seven-minute ride on the open double chairlift (Aerosilla Cerro Campanario) or a brisk 35-to-45-minute climb up the steep woodland footpath brings you to the summit viewing decks and mountaintop pastry café. Because Campanario stands right at the junction of the lakes, you look out simultaneously over Lago Nahuel Huapi, Lago Moreno, Laguna El Trébol, Isla Victoria, Península San Pedro, Hotel Llao Llao, Cerro López, and Cerro Catedral; go between 09:30 and 11:00 when the morning sun is behind you illuminating the western peaks.

2. Stop 2: Capilla San Eduardo, Hotel Llao Llao & Parque Municipal Llao Llao (Km 25)

• Capilla San Eduardo (1938), Puerto Pañuelo & Hotel Llao Llao: At Km 25, pause on the pine hill above the Puerto Pañuelo pier to visit Alejandro Bustillo's cypress-log Capilla San Eduardo (1938) and photograph the iconic Hotel Llao Llao sitting on a green knoll between Lake Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno beneath the vertical rock walls of Cerro López.
• Walking Trails in Parque Municipal Llao Llao: Beyond the hotel golf course bridge, the road enters the 1,226-hectare Parque Municipal Llao Llao. Leave your car or bike at the ranger hut to walk the flat, mossy footpaths beneath giant 40-metre coihue trees and cinnamon-barked arrayanes to the hidden stone arch of Puente Romano, the turquoise pebble coves of Villa Tacul, and the 45-minute viewpoint climb up Cerrito Llao Llao.

3. Stop 3: Lago Escondido, Bahía López & Punto Panorámico (Km 33 to Km 40)

Rounding the western end of the peninsula, stop at the boardwalk to emerald Lago Escondido, look up at the 1,000-metre granite cliffs of Cerro López from Bahía López, and pull over at Punto Panorámico (Km 40) overlooking the narrow Angostura bridge dividing East and West Lago Moreno.

4. Stop 4: Detour to Historic Colonia Suiza (1895) & Lake Moreno Breweries

Just past the Lago Moreno bridge, a four-kilometre side road leads into Colonia Suiza, founded in 1895 by Swiss-Valais brothers Félix and Camilo Goye and famous for its Wednesday and Sunday artisan market and earth-oven curanto, before you rejoin Avenida Bustillo at Km 18.