Villa la Angostura, Argentina

Villa Angostura, city of Los Lagos department, is located to the south of Neuquén province. It is 870 meters over the sea level, on the Nahuel Huapi shores.

It was categorized as “mountain village”, because of its exuberant nature that includes crystal water lakes, valleys, mountains and forests. Many tourists visit the south for visiting Los Arrayanes National Park.

The different landscapes allow practice trekking, excursions, mountain bike, riding, fishing, and aquatic sports for having unforgettable experiences among the nature.

How to arrive

It is possible to arrive departing from Bariloche. Twenty kilometers to the north, there is a detour towards Villa La Angostura. During trip, it is possible to enjoy exceptional views of Nahuel Huapi Lake.

Touristy attractions

Camino de los 7 Lagos

It is a winding road; the route is 110 Km. to San Martín, cross dense cohiues forests and mountains; during the travel, it is possible to appreciate the following lakes: Espejo, Correntoso, Espejo Chico, Villarino,Escondido, Falkner Hermoso and Machónico.

It is one of the most beauty routes, its stretch are difficulty, many expert cyclists travel across it observing beautiful panoramic views.

Nahuel Huapi Lake

It is a lake of glacier origin covers Rio Negro and Neuquén, has seven branches; its blue waters come from the thaws. It has islands among beautiful landscape; the most important one is Victoria Island.

On the river shores, there is a lot of vegetation like arrayanes and pataguas, varied regional fauna, including animals like huillín, araucan pigeon. It is possible to practice fishing, navigating, windsurfing and rafting.

Laguna Verde (lagoon) – Selva Triste

The vegetation that surrounds the lagoon is known as “Selva Triste”; in the zone, there are many species like cypress, coihues, arrayanes, radales and other not many known ones.

This natural reserve is 1200 meters away from Angostura port. Among the forest, there is a green lagoon, where live aquatic birds and fish. “El arrayán del amor” is located near a small port, is a strange formation between an arrayán and a cypress whose trunks and branches are entwined.

Cajón Negro

It is a valley surrounded by Inayacal, Belverde and Filo Belvedere hills, form there; it is possible take long walks observing landscapes with varied faun and flora.

It is possible to arrive to crystal waters streams, during the route visitors can listen the waters sound that form the Inayacal waterfall and flowing into Nahuel Huapi Lake. It is interesting to watch the running waters among the vegetation and listen to the birds´ song.

Waterfalls in La Angostura

Inacayal. – It is an impressive waterfall with 50 meters high; it is possible to climb through paths plenty of vegetation and beautiful flowers, listening songs of birds as carpenter and rayitos.

Santa Ana and Dora. – For arriving to the waterfall, people should take route 231, and then go past some kilometers to the Argentinean Custom, before crossing Pantojo stream. The waterfall is 50 meters high; surroundings, there are beautiful regional plants like colihue cane, varied mosses, ferns, climbing plants that cover the tree trunks forming exuberant landscapes. It is possible to arrive towards a cave with basaltic rocks behind an impressive water veil.

Río Bonito. – The water falls in a green hole and then goes through a split in the basaltic rocks. It is the perfect place for excursions and ecotourism.

National Parks:

Nahuel Huapi National Park

It is located to the southwest of Rio Negro, has ecological value because preserves a vast area in the Andean region of Patagonia north.

On the hill, the vegetation consists of small plants adapted to the harsh weather. The condor, a regional animal, lives and has its nest on the summit.

The low zones of the mountains and the valleys are covered with forests; one of the most singular trees is the cohiué “El Abuelo” which has 400 or 500 years approximately, its bark is so thick that can be surrounded by 8 or 10 people. The red flowers of notro, the orange climbing plant mutisia and other plants make it one of the wildest and colorful places.

In the park, it is possible to practice trekking and climbing to Santa Elena, Bastión, López and Catedral hills that are 1.800 and 2.400 meters high; from the summit, people will appreciate wonderful views.

Los Arrayanes National Park

By land, people can arrive to Los Arrayanes National Park, departing from Bariloche by routes 237 and 231 to Villa Angostura, then arriving to the natural reserve in Huapi National Park. The distance is 12 Km. through landscapes. Another way to arrive is through the lake, departing from Villa Angostura port or from Bahía Brava arriving to Arrayanes port.

Other option is practicing trekking 12 Km. From the park entrance, people can arrive by ship to Quetr¡hué and return walking. People who love this activity will enjoy the adventure among the vegetation. (The roundtrip lasts 24 hours)

Los Arrayanes National Park, was inaugurated in 1971, preserves a peculiar forest of arrayanes in Quetrihué, Neuquén province, located on the shores of Nahuel Huapi. These forests are unique tree specie in the world, has white flowers like to orange blossom, its bark has cinnamon tone, cover 20 hectares and represent a odd landscape after Perito Moreno glacier.

There are also other trees like cypress, palos santos, laurels, maitenes, cinnamons, radales, and ñires. Inside it is possible to appreciate varied fauna including the skunk, the pudu and the huillin.

Recommendations

1. Take into account that inside forest people only can rest to 4pm in summer and to 6 in winter.
2. The trekking has medium difficulty.
3. It is possible to practice mountain bike however, it isn’t appropriate for beginner cyclists with few experience.
4. If you practice trekking, carry water.
5. If practice cycling, take precautions and carry your own equipment.

It is advisable take the delimited paths, because you will get lost inside.