Villa La Angostura is a small town north of Bariloche on the seven lakes route. As I’d driven (technically not the driver but you know what I mean) the seven lakes route from Bariloche a few days earlier, I’d already briefly passed through Villa La Angostura. I came back for a night and a day so I could explore the area a little bit more and do a walk in the Arrayanes National Park.
For starters I had a heck of a day in Villa La Angostura! My brain feels like mush writing this; a long walk and a lost purse seem to do that!
The lost purse
I need to start with the lost purse story and get the residual nervous energy out my system. I did a walk through Arrayanes National Park and at the end of the walk, when I stopped for lunch, I discovered my missing purse. My heart stopped for a moment after I triple checked my rucksack and got nothing!
I actually surprised myself at how calm and level headed I remained on discovering my missing purse. I even briefly considered getting a photo at this viewpoint I loved before my priorities kicked in. I stopped my avocado sandwich lunch plans and started searching.
I retraced my steps and had one fixed point earlier where I knew I’d had it – on the bus when I bought my ticket. I checked at the park’s office, several kiosks and the information centre to see if anyone had handed it in.
I returned to the beach, checking the sand and asking those there if they’d seen it. No luck! I told myself it was ok as it solidified my belief that I’d left it on the bus.
I started the walk back to town and tried to hitchhike as I went to speed things up. As I walked a bus came around the corner and I flagged it down explaining my lost purse situation as best I could in my poor worried Spanish.
I got my first bit of hope restored when a passenger on the bus said he’d heard someone had found a purse earlier. Not getting too high hopes, I remained pragmatic and tried to come up with a plan for what to do if I didn’t get my purse back. With no cash or card to get money out, I was feeling pretty screwed but I tried to remain positive.
Once at the bus station, the bus driver told me to wait for the bus driver from that morning to arrive. As soon as his bus pulled up I jumped on and asked.
To my immense immense relief in a bowl at the front of the bus was my purse. A high five, fist bump and me saying muchísimas gracias like a hundred times I had my purse back. I was so so relieved and honestly didn’t care at that moment if my cash was still there. All I wanted was my cards! On checking, everything was there and I was on cloud nine!
I’m going to be on high alert for a while I reckon. Up until now, aside from a tiny passport scare which was quickly resolved, my trip’s been relatively smooth sailing. I guess I needed a reminder!
Walking in Arrayanes National Park
So getting back to what I got up to in Villa La Angostura before the purse fiasco. I spent the day walking through Arrayanes National Park on the Arrayanes peninsular. The park used to formerly be part of the larger Nahuel Huapi Park before becoming its own to preserve the unique Arrayanes trees.
The walk through the forest is 12km one way and reaches the Bosque de Arrayanes at the end. I started the walk just before 9am and bumped into one person on the way. It was weird and cool being the only person on the trail!
The walk took me just under 2hrs30 and I was walking briskly. I can’t seem to not walk with purpose when I have somewhere to go! I reckon it would take 3/3.5hrs at a more relaxed pace. Aside from the start and end where there are viewpoints and the Bosque de Arranyanes respectively, the rest of the walk is through dense forest. This made it easier for me as I wasn’t stopping all the time to take photos!
In fact my favourite part of the walk was near the very beginning at the Mirador Brazo Norte – I loved the view especially in the morning when everything was so still.
The second viewpoint, Mirador Bahia Mansa, is also nice; although the view is slightly blocked by trees. Good news if you don’t want to do the whole walk!
At the end of the peninsular is the Bosque de Arrayanes. There is a short circular boardwalk trail that goes through the Arrayanes trees (which are distinctive by their cinnamon coloured trunks and branches).
I walked there and back so in total 21km. Most of the route is flat, however there are several uphills and downhills that you will notice. You also don’t have to walk both ways.
There is the option to get a boat one way and walk back or you can get the boat both ways. I’d check at the tourist information office in town for up to date timetables and prices. Bikes are also available to rent for the day.
Entrance fee and how to get there
To get into the park there is an entrance fee of $350ARG (£6 approx) payable by card or cash. I didn’t actually end up paying it as when I arrived no one was in the office. If I had I would have discovered my lost purse a lot sooner. On my return I couldn’t have paid it even if I wanted to with no purse!
To get to the park entrance it’s a 3km walk from the town centre. Maps.me said it would take an hour but I reckon about 30/45mins based on my walk up later.
You can also get a 10min local bus to Puerto Villa for $50ARG (£1 approx). They don’t run that frequently, for example 8.30am and 10am. I took the 8.30am one and I’d check again at the tourist information centre for the most up to date timetables.
How to get to Villa La Angostura
Villa La Angostura is 83km north of Bariloche on Ruta 40. Multiple buses run daily between them costing $165ARG (£3) and taking around 1hr15.
You can also get to Villa La Angostura from San Martin de los Andes. There are normally two buses a day, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. The journey takes two hours and costs $335ARG (less than £6). If you haven’t already done the seven lakes route, it’s worth getting the afternoon bus so you can take in the scenery in daylight!
If you have a car you can decide your own schedule. Ruta 40 will get you where you need to go.
Final thoughts
Villa La Angostura is a nice little town. My standout memory is losing my purse so it’s hard to think of Villa La Angostura without remembering the panic I felt. I can’t separate the two!
If you’re driving the seven lakes route or heading slowly in that direction, it’s worth a brief stop. The walk through Arrayanes National Park is nice and I loved the Brazo Norte Mirador. That said, for me it’s not a must do or must see. It’s a nice addition but not essential. So if you’re short on time I’d skip and head to San Martin de los Andes which I personally liked more.
