Overlooking Lake Nahuel Huapi Towards Villa la Angostura

Before starting the route, it is necessary to take into account the time of the year in which you are going to do it. From November to March is summer and the time when the Patagonian forests are very green, there is no snow on the roads and there are even days for swimming on the beaches of the lakes.
The autumn and spring months are still cold, although the vegetation is of different shades, which makes it spectacular.
In winter, you'll see snowy landscapes on the peaks and even around the route. It is advisable to take plenty of warm clothes and always have snow chains in the car.

The first stop is at the edge of the Nahuel Huapi. From the viewpoint you can see the magnitude of this lake and the city of Bariloche in the distance with its buildings stretched out on the coast.
To the left of the viewpoint is the Limay River, one of the most important rivers in the region.
There is a place to park the car next to the viewpoint.

Driving along Route 40 you border the Nahuel Huapi Lake until you reach the city of Villa La Angostura. This panoramic viewpoint with the letters of the city is the ideal place to take many pictures.
In the background is Puerto Manzano, a small peninsula, and the high mountains of the Andes.
There is a place to park the car next to the viewpoint.

It is worth spending a few minutes in Puerto Manzano, home to hotels and the first Patagonian-style houses in Villa La Angostura, with its local wooden architecture and large windows.
The small public beach of Puerto Manzano is a perfect spot to stop and gaze at the horizon. The crystal clear water allows you to see even the small branches submerged in the lake.

A small isthmus separates two beaches with different characteristics, La Mansa Bay on one side and La Brava Bay on the other.
La Mansa is a beach that due to its geographical characteristics is more closed to the lake, which allows its waters to be practically a natural pool.
Climbing up a short trail at the access to Los Arrayanes Park, you can see from above the beauty of La Brava Bay with its turquoise water.
There is parking space at the beginning of the isthmus.

Crossing the isthmus, you reach the other bay, from where catamarans depart to the famous Arrayanes forest.
This bay is very popular for photographing its wooden pier with the lake background and the mountains that border Nahuel Huapi Lake.

It is time to eat and what better than to do it in one of the most traditional places in Villa La Angostura.
As soon as you enter, the restaurant surprises you with its furniture and decoration, in the Patagonian style with wooden ceilings and walls.
Its star dish is roast lamb, one of the typical Patagonian dishes. Made on an iron cross with lots of firewood, it is so tender that it melts when you eat it.
As a starter, you can order another of the region's delicacies, the empanada de trucha (a small baked pastry filled with trout).
Opening Hours: Every day: 12:30 – 15:30; 20:30 – 22:30.
There is space to park your car on Arrayanes Avenue or in the adjacent streets.

Although you can eat dessert in the restaurant, it is advisable to walk a few metres and enter this chocolate and ice cream parlour with regional delicacies.
Handmade chocolate is one of the gastronomic jewels of the Argentinean Patagonia and in this place you will find bonbons, cakes and chocolates with almonds, hazelnuts and fruits such as blueberries.
Also, in summer, their ice creams are perfect. Flavours such as forest chocolate or amarena are delicious.
Opening Hours: Every Day: 9:30 – 0:30.

After filling your stomach, it is a good idea to take a stroll along the Avenida de los Arrayanes, with its shops and shops with wooden architecture, until you reach the Plaza San Martín.
This green space serves as a viewpoint to the city centre as it is a bit more elevated. Also, next to the square is the small church of Nuestra Señora de los Lagos, which is very picturesque because of its small size.
After the visit to the square, return to the car and continue on your way.

Lake Correntoso stretches for several kilometres and bathes the shores of Villa La Angostura. One of the places to visit is the viewpoint of the lake, located in the upper part and surrounded by beautiful regional style mansions.
From the viewpoint you can observe the great magnitude of the lake, delimited by the mountains.
To get there, park your car next to the lake beach and walk uphill for about five minutes.

This beach is perfect for swimming in summer as the water temperature is not as cold as in other lakes. It even has a small sandy area.
If you don't want to swim, it is an ideal place to relax for a few minutes, have some "mates" (typical Argentinean tea) or coffee and continue on your way.
In summer, you can do water activities in the lake such as kayak rental.

Walking a few metres from the beach, you reach the Correntoso River, which is one of the shortest rivers in the world.
By means of a short walk through the woods along the shores of the lake, you can go all the way from the Correntoso Lake to its mouth in the Nahuel Huapi Lake.
The best place to contemplate the river is from the wooden footbridge that crosses it. From here you can appreciate the beauty of its turquoise water course.

A place to buy gifts or handicrafts from Patagonia? The craftsmen's promenade has several stalls offering from homemade jams, wooden boards for picadas to lamps and leather products such as belts.
In summer and winter holidays in Argentina, the opening hours are from 17:00 to 21:00. Outside this period it is usually open only on weekends and not all the stalls are open.
Park your car on Arrayanes Avenue or in the immediate vicinity.

This restaurant focuses on Italian dishes such as pizza and pasta, although it also serves Argentinian and regional dishes.
To recommend something different from the traditional, you can order the tagliatelle with seafood, the trout with lemon and potatoes or the lamb sorrentinos with white sauce.
There is draft beer to accompany your meal.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 23:00.

Run by the owners themselves, it has the advantage of being right in the centre of the city. Its Patagonian atmosphere includes wooden ceilings and floors and large windows with views of the city and the hills.
It has a common room with comfortable armchairs to relax or read a book with a view.
The rooms are spacious and perfectly heated in case you stay in winter. Its breakfast is very complete with regional products such as jam, fruits and squeezed orange juice.
Parking is available on site.