Circuito Chico by car, bike or bus

What Circuito Chico is

From downtown, Circuito Chico is a loop of about 60 km: you leave along Av. Bustillo, pass Cerro Campanario and the Llao Llao peninsula, skirt Bahía López, climb to the Punto Panorámico viewpoint and return past Laguna El Trébol.

Amutuy is at kilometre 23 of Bustillo, in the most scenic part of the circuit. From the cabins you do not need to go to and from downtown: the full loop, past San Eduardo chapel, Bahía López and the Punto Panorámico, is 24.8 km according to Google Maps.

The stops, from Amutuy

Driving distances from the cabins, measured on Google Maps:

• San Eduardo chapel: 2.5 km. A wood-and-stone chapel overlooking the lake.
• Puerto Pañuelo and the Llao Llao hotel: about 3 km. Lake excursions leave from Puerto Pañuelo.
• Villa Tacul: 6.2 km. Beaches and forest on Nahuel Huapi.
• Punto Panorámico: 8.5 km. The most photographed viewpoint of the circuit, over Lake Moreno and the Llao Llao peninsula.
• Bahía López: 9.8 km. A bay at the foot of Cerro López.
• Laguna El Trébol: 5.1 km.
• Cerro Campanario: the chairlift is 5 km away, on Bustillo towards downtown.

Near the circuit you also have Colonia Suiza (9.9 km), Playa Sin Viento on Lake Moreno (6.6 km) and Cervecería Patagonia (10.3 km).

By car

The most comfortable way. Without stops, the loop from Amutuy takes about 42 minutes; with photo stops, a short walk and lunch, allow half a day. It is a mountain road with bends, climbs and descents: drive calmly and park only in designated areas.

A good plan is to leave early for San Eduardo chapel and Puerto Pañuelo, continue to Bahía López, climb to the Punto Panorámico and end the day at Cervecería Patagonia or in Colonia Suiza.

By bike

Many people ride it. It has long climbs and stretches with traffic, so some practice helps; e-bikes make it easier. Google Maps estimates 1 h 45 min of riding for the loop from the cabins, not counting stops.

There are bike rentals on Bustillo, with mountain bikes and e-bikes: for example at kilometre 18.3 (4.3 km from Amutuy) and at kilometre 12. Bring a helmet, water, a warm layer and some food, and check road conditions before you set out.

By bus

Line 20 connects the bus terminal and downtown with Llao Llao along Av. Bustillo, and stops at Amutuy's corner. It takes you to Puerto Pañuelo, San Eduardo chapel and the base of Cerro Campanario.

For Colonia Suiza there is line 10 from downtown and line 13, which leaves from kilometre 18.3 of Bustillo and covers part of the circuit. Timetables change with the season: check them with Mi Bus before you go.

Tips

• Pick a clear day: with clouds, the Punto Panorámico loses a lot.
• Bring a warm layer even in summer: it is windy at the viewpoints.
• There are few shops along the way: bring water and snacks.
• Follow the rules of Nahuel Huapi National Park and take your rubbish with you.

Staying inside the circuit

Staying in Circuito Chico saves you the 22 km to and from downtown every day and lets you explore it calmly, at your own pace. Amutuy's cabins sleep up to 4, with a fully equipped kitchen, central heating, 500 Mbps Wi-Fi, parking on the property and a barbecue house. We welcome small or medium pets on request.