EL BOLSON

EXCURSIONS AND SPORTS IN EL BOLSON
From El Bolsón day trips can be made to the striking local Andean Region areas: Lake Puelo, Cholila, El Hoyo, Epuyén, El Maitén, etc. Besides, there are always things to do, such as:

• Hang-gliding from Mt Piltriquitrón.
• Foot or horseback excursions or car trips to Mallín Ahogado and Catarata, Cabeza del Indio, Azul River and its camping ground, Las Golondrinas, Villa Turismo, Azcona, Lake Puelo, Lake Cholila, Lake Rivadavia, Lake Epuyén, Our Lady's Groot, Escondida Waterfall, Falda Piltriquitrón, Cerrito Amigo and Mt Radal.
• Fishing from the month of November to April (trout fishing deserves special mention, not only for the quality of the specimens caught, but also because of the superb scenery of crystal clear Rivers and blue Lakes whose sights fishermen can enjoy while waiting for the bite).
• Rafting on Azul River.
• Horse trekking down the hills and mountainsides towards Chile and Bariloche.
• Alpine skiing on the runs of Mt Perito Moreno.
• Long-distance skiing on natural tracks.
• Mountain Biking all over the area, all seasons round.
• Bird watching, in the company of experts.
• A museum piece operational steam engine train in El Maitén, "La Trochita".
• Trekking, if possible from September through April.
• Observe El Bolsón from the air (bird's eye) in spring, summer and fall.
• Pine mushroom recollection in fall.
• Agro-tourism, where you elect dates to share in farm work.
• Fine fruit picking, especially during summer.
• Regional Festivities, December through February, one in each and every town.
• Arts and craftwork in the craftsmen's own home workshops, whenever you want to.
• Walnut and chestnut harvesting in April.
• Canoeing as from October in Rivers and Lakes.
• Bathing in the Lakes during January and February.
• A rewlaxed restful landscape, all year round.
• Photo safaris, these are recommended during spring and fall.
• Camping from September through April.
• Mountain climbing - get informed about the best walls or rock faces.
• The local craft chocolates and ice cream - only for the knowing sweet-toothed.
• Jams, jellies and preserves, craft-made with our local fruits.
• The Regional Crafts Fair, opened all year round.
• Tea houses, in winter holidays and during the summer.
• Finally, forget your diet and have your fill of the chocolates, ice creams, sweets, liqueurs, yoghurts, cheeses, candy, fruit, beer and other home-made and usually non-fattening delicacies.

LAGO PUELO NATIONAL PARK
14 kms south of El Bolsón is founded Lago Puelo National Park. After crossing the 42nd Parallel, the border line separating Río Negro and Chubut, you go alongside the end of the slopes of Mt Radal on a paved road lined with small farms, artisans' workshops and forestry progress. The turquoise waters of the Lake reflect the greenery of the wood and the eternal white snows of the Mt Tres Picos.

Created in 1937, this is Argentina's smallest park: it is only 23,700 hectares. Puelo means in Mapuche "water on the east", it is the lowest valley of the area.

Due to its minimal height above sea level (only 200 ms), its geographical location and its geological formation, a unique Patagonian flora has developed here, in the middle of an peculiar landscape and micro-climate.

The turquoise blue of the water is formed by sedimentation from the huge glacial fields and lesser glaciers located on the sources of the Rivers Turbio, Azul and Epuyén. The precipitous green-blanketed mountain slopes gently plunge into the warm waters of the Lake shores, inviting one to go on an appealing Lake trip.

Summer shore temperatures, because of the low altitude, reaches 36º Celsius, warming the water to 20º Celsius and enabling Lake sailing activity without the numbing coldness featured by most of Patagonia's Lakes.

One of the Park's main items is its woods of pataguas or pitras, trees related to the arrayanes, which are scarcely found in forests this size.

Their deeply scored trunks grow to a curiously large girth in the Park, creating a Gothic-cathedral-like atmosphere in the wooded depths, enhanced by a mysterious silence inducing the tourist to hushed awe.

The visitor who rambles along the Cordillera trails, discovering little fine-sand beaches and clear waters on his way, will participate in a major sense-surround spectacle that will remain engraved forever on his/her memory.

Recreationally speaking there is a tourist information service as well as daily barbecue areas, campsites, restrooms, guided horse treks, a jetty, a launching ramp and the Park and Coastguard offices.

The sailing enthusiast will find a wide offer of alternatives: roaming to the Chilean border, to the mouth of Turbio River, along the coast for a short distance, boat fishing or motorboat renting for unhindered sailing on the Lake, or else canoeing.

Contact the Asociación Ornitológica (Bird Watching Association) of Lago Puelo and arrange a guided tour if you are to carry out this activity. Once you have gone as far as the mouth of Azul River you will be blessed by the vision of the valley.

LAGO PUELO VILLAGE
Although it has already been given municipal status on April 2, 1928, this was a sleepy little place until some years ago. Today, avidly searching for an alternative lifestyle, Puelo's population embrace large numbers of new arrivals.

This is a moving community basing its wealth on family industries associated with tourism services, the production and processing of fine fruits (jams and preserves), nursery gardening (flowers and plants), dry flower production, hops and crafts, etc.

The Lago Puelo Council embraces the Urban Complex, Villa del Lago, Entre Ríos and Las Golondrinas.

The latter small city, placed on the beachshore of Lake Puelo, harbours over 5,000 inhabitants, and serves as urban center for the National Park by the same name.

The fertility of its soil enables agricultural and livestock developments like those of the neighbouring areas.

It is approached from El Bolsón, crossing the gateway to Chubut that guides travellers to this remote spot in the Andes. For those that come from Chubut: you take the fork off NR Nº 258, at the satellite receiving station.

Lago Puelo commemorates a yearly "forest festival". This includes a colourful and varied crafts fair that forms the framework for the festivity and musical shows. Coinciding with this event is the Ecopuelo Ecological Workshop, different entities take part to promote environmental awareness.