Gutiérrez Lake Viewpoint (Bariloche)
On our 2024 summer vacation, we took a lovely trip to Patagonia, with no set times or places, just the intention of having a good time and letting everything flow. While we knew there were some places we wanted to see or revisit, we didn't have a set itinerary.
One of the cities where we stayed for three days was Bariloche, a place I had visited in passing a few years earlier, but hadn't had the time to explore or dedicate the time it deserves. While the city has a certain appeal, in my opinion, its magic lies in its landscapes, in the surrounding nature, in its lakes and forests.
During these three days, we dedicated ourselves to hiking and visiting iconic sites that are a must-see when visiting Bariloche.
When analyzing which sites to visit, we prioritized those trails and hikes that were appropriate for our little ones' ages, so as not to expose them to unnecessary effort or risk. The idea wasn't to take risks, but rather to discover places where everyone could enjoy themselves.
So we decided to visit Lake Gutierrez, which is part of Nahuel Huapi National Park and where there are several easy-to-medium difficulty trails for everyone to explore, enjoy, and embark on an adventure.
Upon arriving at the lake, we inquired about the hikes we could take and decided on two: a relatively short, easy hike, which I've already shared with you, to the "Cascada de los Duendes," and a slightly longer and more challenging hike to the "Mirador del Lago Gutiérrez."
The Mirador del Lago Gutiérrez is a medium-difficulty trail, approximately 1.5 kilometers long, starting from the park ranger's booth, ideal for launching into an adventure with our two daughters.
We began the hike with great enthusiasm, delving deeper into the park. As we advanced along the trail, the forest became denser, to the point that it was difficult to see the sky in several places. We had to be cautious while walking because there were several rocks and roots along the path, so I had to be careful with my youngest daughter to avoid any accidents.
As we continued, the trail became increasingly difficult, and at one point it became quite complicated for me, as I had to lift my youngest daughter onto my shoulders to climb. By then, the slope was quite steep and the ground was quite loose, requiring great care to ascend without slipping.
By then, the climb was becoming quite difficult for carrying a child on my shoulders, so much so that I had to stop twice to rest. On both occasions, the people descending encouraged us to continue and told us that the effort was worth it.
After those encouraging words from all those people, we resumed the ascent, and after 300 meters of a steep climb, we reached the Mirador del Lago Gutiérrez. The sensation was wonderful, and the view was indescribable.
Just sitting back and contemplating the beautiful views, letting myself be carried away by such immensity, closing my eyes, and breathing in the fresh air made me feel like the effort was worth it. The satisfaction was even greater when I thought we had climbed with the little ones and were able to explore these beautiful destinations in our country together. I can say the satisfaction was doubled.
Up there, we took the opportunity to rest, drink water, and eat fruit to replenish our energy for the descent. After an hour at the lookout, we slowly began our return journey, no longer anxious about reaching the destination, but instead filled with joy at having reached our goal.
After arriving at the park ranger's cabin, we took the opportunity to walk along the lake shore and headed to the campsite to make necessary inquiries and be able to camp there for another trip.
Almost at dusk, we got in the car and started the return trip to the lodge to replenish our energy and rest. The next day, another wonderful day of great adventures awaited us.
