A Guide to Cerro Campanario – The Best View in Bariloche

Hands down, one of the best views around Bariloche is from the top of Cerro Campanario, located just outside the city. This small mountain is easily accessible either by chairlift or on foot. Its location fairly close to Circuito Chico, one of the areas most scenic roads, is another reason why it’s one of the most popular places to visit from Bariloche.

In this guide, we’ll detail everything you need to know before visiting Cerro Campanario, including how to get there, the different ways to get to the top, opening times, how to avoid the crowds and other attractions you can visit nearby.

If you’d like to see the views we got from Cerro Campanario, make sure to watch our Bariloche video, which we shared on our YouTube channel Kitti and Jon. For more videos from the country, check out our Argentina playlist.

About Cerro Campanario in Bariloche

Cerro Campanario (or Campanario Hill) is a popular peak located about a 30-minute drive to the northwest of San Carlos de Bariloche in the Nahuel Huapi National Park of Argentina.

At 1,050 m high, Cerro Campanario may not be the tallest peak in the area but it offers 360-degree views of the Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, El Trebol lagoon, the Llao Llao peninsula, Victoria Island, and many mountain peaks such as Cerros Otto, Lopez, Goye and Catedral.

How to Get to Cerro Campanario from Bariloche

Private Vehicle

Rental Car. We recommend renting a car to get to Cerro Campanario, especially if you also plan on driving around Circuito Chico or doing other road trips, such as the Route of the Seven Lakes.

The car park is only available for chairlift users and tour buses. If you’re planning on hiking up to the summit, just park your car somewhere along the side of the main road.

Uber or Taxi. Getting either a taxi or Uber to Cerro Campanario is also possible. Check the numbers for official taxis in Bariloche here. Bear in mind that if you call an Uber or taxi, a one-way ride could easily cost you around $20,000 ARS or more.

Public Bus

Cerro Campanario is also easily accessible by public bus. Catch either Bus 20, 10A, 10B, or 10C from the main bus terminal in Bariloche or from the Moreno y Beschtedt B stop in the centre of town. Get off at the Av. Bustillo y Cerro Campanario bus stop opposite the entrance to the car park. Check out the timetable on the Mi Bus website.

In order to use the bus you’ll need a travel card called SUBE. If you’re visiting the Argentine Lake District after spending a few days in Buenos Aires, then you may have already purchased one. However, you can also buy a new card at many kiosks in Bariloche. Just remember to load it with plenty of credit to cover your bus ride there and back.

Organised Tour

Lastly, you can also visit Cerro Campanario with a guided tour. Most day, or half-day tours, would also include a trip around Circuito Chico. It’s a great way to pack everything into one day, especially if you’re short on time. Just make sure to check if the tour includes the cost of the chairlift or not to avoid any unexpected surprises.

Ways to Reach the Summit of Cerro Campanario

1. Taking the Chairlift Up Cerro Campanario

The quickest and most popular way to reach the summit of Cerro Campanario is to take the chairlift up. You start at 770 m above sea level and end up at an altitude of 1,050 m at the top of Cerro Campanario, gaining just under 300 m in around 7 minutes. During your ride, you can sit back and enjoy the panoramic views as you get higher and higher. As you reach the top, there will be a photographer taking some pictures of you and the view, which you can purchase later if you want.

The first chairlift goes up to the summit at 9AM and we also noted that many tour buses arrive around this time too. Check the official website for up-to-date information on whether the chairlift operates on the day of your planned visit and what the current prices are.

2. Hiking Up Cerro Campanario

• Distance: 2.3 km / 1.4 miles (out-and-back)
• Elevation gain: 215 m / 715 ft

A less popular but quite rewarding way to get up Cerro Campanario is to hike. We decided to do the hike to save some pennies on the chairlift. The trail starts to the right of the chairlift office. It’s a short but pretty steep path where we gained around 215 m of elevation in just 1 km. The trail is quite dusty and can be slippery, so definitely wear sturdy shoes. If you have hiking poles, then we suggest bringing them, especially for the descent.

Whilst we may have questioned why we chose to get up Cerro Campanario the hard way on the way up, our reward for the extra effort was even sweeter because of it. Setting off way before the first chairlift departed meant that we were the first ones at the summit and had it to ourselves for a good 15-20 minutes before others arrived.

Practical Information About Visiting Cerro Campanario in Bariloche

Opening Times and Entry Fees

The chairlift and facilities are open every day from 9AM until 7PM, with the last ascent at 6PM. You can buy your chairlift ticket at the office upon arrival, which is currently $22,000 ARS per person. However, if you decide to hike up to the summit, you don’t need to pay an entry fee. You can also access the hiking trail before the chairlift opens.

For up-to-date information on opening times and entry fees, check the official website.

Best Time to Visit Cerro Campanario

Visiting Cerro Campanario is possible all year round, unless there are some extreme weather conditions. The most popular time of the year is between December and March, which is the summer season in Argentina. The weather conditions are usually pretty good, although expect some windy days. End of spring and autumn can also be nice, especially with the fall foliage. Those months would also be less crowded. Winter weather can be more unpredictable, but it could give you the chance to enjoy some true winter-wonderland views from the top.

No matter what time of the year you intend to visit in, we cannot emphasize enough that you check the weather forecast before you set off. The weather conditions can change here very quickly. We suggest picking a clear day for your visit to Cerro Campanario, otherwise it may not be worth it. You can check for any alerts (bad weather, high winds, fire, etc.) on the Nahuel Huapi National Park’s website.

If you want to beat the crowds, then we suggest hiking up to the summit before the first chairlift departs.

Where to Stay Near Cerro Campanario

San Carlos de Bariloche. Having a base in Bariloche is probably the most popular option when it comes to accommodation. The city has everything you need for long and short stays, including plenty of more affordable hotels and hostels, car rental offices and of course a ton of amenities. Cerro Campanario is also easily accessible by different modes of transport such as bus, Uber or taxi from the city.

Hotel Llao Llao. If you’re after a slightly more luxurious stay, consider splurging on a night at the iconic 5-star Llao Llao Hotel. It’s the most exclusive resort in Argentine Patagonia and is surrounded by the Cerro Lopez and Tronador mountain peaks. It’s also a popular landmark along Circuito Chico, not too far from Cerro Campanario itself.

Additional Things to Do Around Cerro Campanario

Driving Circuito Chico. This 27-km long loop is one of the most scenic roads in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Along the way there are plenty of attractions, such as the Cerveza Patagonia brewery and many beautiful viewpoints and hikes.

Hiking Cerro Llao Llao. It’s one of the most popular day hikes near Bariloche. From the viewpoint, you’ll get similar panoramic views to those you get from Cerro Campanario. This trail can easily be done on the same day you visit Cerro Campanario and drive around Circuito Chico.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Cerro Campanario

Hiking up Cerro Campanario just before opening time was the best decision we made. Spending 15 minutes at the summit without the crowds that formed minutes after the chairlift opened was such an incredible feeling. Visiting on a clear day also allowed us to see the landscape clearly and gave us a great appreciation of why this part of Patagonia is called the Lake District.

Are you adding a visit to Cerro Campanario to your Bariloche itinerary? If so, which way would you reach the summit: by hiking or chairlift? Let us know in the comments below.