Sendero de los Arrayanes

The Sendero de los Arrayanes is part of Parque Municipal Llao Llao, one of the most emblematic protected areas of San Carlos de Bariloche. Integrated into the Circuito Chico route, this trail sits geographically between Lago Perito Moreno and Lago Nahuel Huapi, offering an environment where local biodiversity defines the experience. What sets this place apart is the presence of trees with a very particular morphology and botanical characteristics, whose visual structure breaks from the conventional forested landscape of the region.

The forest of singular trees

The core of the trail is the arrayán forest, an ecosystem notable for the appearance of its trunks and their ability to transform the surrounding light. Walking along the path, visitors observe how the trees filter sunlight, creating a particular atmosphere beneath the canopy. The vegetation reaches a density that allows for detailed observation — including the movement of local fauna, such as the woodpecker species that inhabit this sector of the park.

The structure of the forest is defined by an environment where light and the sounds of nature interact directly with the visitor. The presence of pollinators and other insects is common in areas where the vegetation supports their development, adding a layer of biological activity to the static landscape of the trees.

Trail characteristics

The route unfolds as a circular walk crossing this unique ecosystem. The terrain presents moderate elevation changes, passing through sections where the path remains clear, allowing for a fluid passage through the woodland. The route connects different points within Parque Municipal Llao Llao, functioning as a link between the distinct landscape units that make up the Circuito Chico.

Along the trail, the surroundings register as a space where natural elements — the wind in the canopy and the texture of the wood — take center stage. The scale of the forest, with trees that seem to extend without end, offers a perspective of full immersion in the Valdivian temperate rainforest that characterizes this sector of Patagonia, placing the visitor within an ecosystem that remains preserved within the boundaries of the protected area.