Hiking Cerro Llao Llao, Bariloche: Villa Tacul Loop

Hiking Cerro Llao Llao is an easy day hike in the Llao Llao peninsula near Bariloche, Argentina.

The Villa Tacul Loop is the most popular route and showcases the entirety of the peninsula, including the many hidden beaches and the fabulous views from the mountaintop of Cerro Llao Llao. The many forest trails can also be broken up into smaller hikes depending on how much time you have.

This trail guide will provide information regarding how to get to the trailhead via car/public transit and route details.

Cerro Llao Lao Trail Information

• Distance: 15km
• Elevation Gain: 500m
• Trail Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Washroom Facilities: None

Best Time to Hike Cerro Llao Llao

The best time to hike around Bariloche and surrounding areas is spring to late fall, between the months of September to April. This trail doesn’t gain a lot of elevation, so it can be enjoyed even in the early spring, when snow is still present.  

Daytime temperatures in spring hover around 10 degrees Celsius and summer around 20. Being in northern Patagonia, the weather can be unpredictable and changes on a whim, so it’s always best to come prepared with several layers.  

I visited in mid-November and was welcomed with great hiking weather, with temperatures between 12-16 degrees.  

How to Get to Trailhead of Villa Tacul  

By Local Bus 

The Villa Tacul Loop trail is located 50 minutes west of Bariloche.  

• Line 20  
• Route: Bus Terminal – Downtown (Centro) – Llao Llao. 
• Bus timetable here 
• Price: 92 ARS per way paid by SUBE 

Bus 20 runs from Bariloche to Llao Llao. From the terminal, the bus takes approximately 50 minutes. The frequency changes from weekdays to weekends, generally running from every 15 minutes during the week and every 20 during the weekends. 

If you are in the city center of Bariloche, the easiest bus stop to access is located on Francisco Pascasio Moreno 476, San Carlos de Bariloche (Centro). It is two blocks from the waterfront and one block from the main square. This area has many shops that offer SUBE re-charges and snacks.

The last stop on the route (Llao Llao), in front of Puerto Pañuelo Marina, is where you will get off. From the Llao Llao bus top, continue walking up RP77 Circuito Chico for approximately 1km (15 minutes).

This road will lead to the official Llao LLao park entrance, a parking area, and a small information center. To begin the trail going clockwise, take the path to the left. 

By Car 

 If you have access to your own vehicle, driving to the trailhead is also an option. From the center of Bariloche, follow Av. Exequiel Bustillo for approximately 26 km until it becomes Circuito Chico. One kilometre from Puerto Pañuelo Marina, you will find the official park entrance, along with a small parking lot.

Additional parking is also available at Puerto Pañuelo Marina and costs around 400 ARS for the day.

Cerro Llao Llao: Villa Tacul Loop- Clockwise Route 

This easy trail will start flat, walking along the perimeter of the peninsula through thick forests. Around 90 percent of the trail passes through the forests, with the last 10 percent on the exposed viewpoint. 

The first of the many little detours along this trail begins shortly after the 3km mark. The path on the left will lead to a small viewpoint and Moreno Beach.

Continuing on the trail, another optional viewpoint will be revealed around 3.5km, Mirador Lago Moreno. 

At 4km, the trail will exit the forest and cross the road (Circuito Chico) once more. Continue down the road until you reach another parking area on the right-hand side, where the path will once again reconnect and venture back into the forest. 

Meet up with the road again and the trail heads in the direction of the beach. Shortly before reaching the beach, the path hangs a right and starts climbing up. 

Past the beaches, the trail will begin to climb up through the forest. At certain points it feels quite steep, however short-lived.   

At 10km there will be an optional route to take on the right. This path will lead to Cerro LLao Llao, the highlight of the hike.

The trail to the summit starts as a switchback, through narrow, rocky terrain. The path will climb a little over 100m, over 1km. So while a little steep, it’s entirely doable, considering the other 14km of the trail is relatively flat. 

The views at the top showcase the beautiful 180-degree views of Nahuel Huapi Lake, mountains and smaller islands including Isla Victoria. Once you’ve had enough of the gorgeous views, head back down the way you came.

Turn right and proceed around 3km back down through the forest. This route will meet up with the road once again and lead back down to the park entrance and bus stop.

I had a hard time enjoying this hike, as I had yet been able to secure a SUBE card and was unsure of if I was able to return to Bariloche. I spent 15km being anxious, hoping someone would be catching the same bus back to Bariloche.

Luckily, I was able to rely on the generoustiy of fellow passengers to use their card in exchange for cash. Word of advice, don’t expect to find a SUBE card on a Sunday.

Further Exploring

If you have more time in the area of Bariloche, consider hiking to Refugio Frey. This 21km return hike is a fan favourite in the area, with spectacular views of mountains and lakes.

Cerro Otto is another hike accessible via public transport in Bariloche. The short but steep trail definitely get your heart racing.

If lakes and green scenery are not your thing, head north to Iruya. This tiny town in the Salta province provides epic hiking trails set to a backdrop of multicoloured canyons and mountains.