Key Concepts
- Route 40, Argentine Patagonia
- Perito Moreno Glacier (Los Glaciares National Park)
- Huemul Glacier
- Lago del Desierto
- Mount Fitz Roy & De los Tres Lagoon
- Laguna Capri & Laguna Sucia
- Los Antiguos (National Cherry Capital)
- La Zeta Lagoon Urban Nature Reserve (Esquel)
- Los Alerces National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Río Azul - Lago Escondido Protected Natural Area (El Bolsón)
- Villa La Angostura ("Garden of Patagonia")
- Lake Correntoso & Correntoso River
- Lake Traful & Villa Traful
- Ñivinco Waterfall (Seven Lakes Route)
- Los Arrayanes National Park
Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier, located in Los Glaciares National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is a major attraction due to its continuous forward movement and the calving of ice blocks. The park offers a 4km circuit of walkways and viewpoints providing views of the glacier and iceberg channel. The walkways are partially accessible, with a lift connecting different levels. The glacier features an ice wall over 60m high.
Huemul Glacier & Lago del Desierto
The Huemul Glacier is located near Laguna del Desierto, Mount Crestón, and Mount Vespignani. It became part of Los Glaciares National Park in 1937 and is the most accessible glacier in the area. Lago del Desierto is a 10km long and 1km wide lake accessible via provincial route number 41 or a trekking trail. It's situated between Lake O'Higgins/San Martín and Mount Fitz Roy. The Río de las Vueltas originates from Lago del Desierto at 506m above sea level and flows into Lake Viedma at 250m above sea level.
Mount Fitz Roy & De los Tres Lagoon
The trek to De los Tres Lagoon involves traversing a narrowing path through a forest, featuring lenga trees. The path culminates at the ancient moraine ridge, offering views of the De los Tres Lagoon and glacier, and the granite wall of Mount Fitz Roy. Descending the moraine and skirting the lagoon leads to Laguna Sucia and its hanging glaciers. Laguna Capri is also mentioned as a stop on the return to El Chaltén.
Los Antiguos
Los Antiguos, a border town with Chile on the shores of Lake Buenos Aires, is known as the National Cherry Capital. Its economy is based on fruit and vegetable growing, particularly cherries. The annual cherry festival is held in early January.
La Zeta Lagoon Urban Nature Reserve
The La Zeta Lagoon Urban Nature Reserve near Esquel is easily accessible and free to the public, making it a valuable natural space for the community and tourists. Its well-preserved natural environment and recreational opportunities make it a popular tourist destination.
Los Alerces National Park
Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, offers trails to explore the Andean Patagonian forest ecosystem. The journey included the rock paintings trail, Irigoyen waterfall, Arrayanes River walkway to Puerto Chucao, Lake Verde from the beach, Lake Menéndez from Puerto Chucao, the Arrayanes River, the Lake Verde viewpoint, Lake Rivadavia, and the Rivadavia River. The Arrayanes River walkway is a suspension bridge providing views, and Lake Verde is a small lake of glacial origin belonging to the Futaleufú River basin.
Río Azul - Lago Escondido Protected Natural Area
The Río Azul - Lago Escondido Protected Natural Area (ANPRALE) west of El Bolsón features the Río Azul Canyon with turquoise pools. The area includes forests of lenga, coihue, ñire, and cypress, Valdivian rainforest, high Andean environments, glaciers, rivers, lagoons, peat bogs, and high-altitude meadows. A network of trails of varying difficulty allows for exploration, with options for day trips, camping, or staying in mountain shelters.
Villa La Angostura & Lake Correntoso
Villa La Angostura, known as the "Garden of Patagonia," is located in Nahuel Huapi National Park. An hour-long horseback tour through forests of cypress and coihue trees and streams is mentioned. Lake Correntoso, accessible via National Route 40, features an old wooden footbridge over the Correntoso River, considered the shortest river in the world.
Lake Traful & Villa Traful
Lake Traful is located in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Villa Traful is situated on the southern shore of the lake. Activities include sailing, diving in the submerged forest, and visiting waterfalls.
Ñivinco Waterfall
The Ñivinco Waterfall is located along the Seven Lakes route, halfway between San Martín de Los Andes and Villa La Angostura. The trail leads to a stone beach with a waterfall approximately 10m high and 40m wide.
Los Arrayanes National Park
Los Arrayanes National Park, created in 1971 from Nahuel Huapi National Park, protects a unique forest of hundred-year-old arrayanes on the Quetrihue Peninsula. The park safeguards the Andean Patagonian forest and features a pure arrayán forest covering 20 hectares at the southern end of Quetrihue.
Top 3 Argentine Patagonia
The speaker's top 3 experiences in Argentine Patagonia are:
- Perito Moreno Glacier: Described as indescribable and worth visiting multiple times.
- De los Tres Lagoon trek: Highlighted for its views of Mount Fitz Roy.
- Los Alerces National Park: Noted for its numerous places to discover, requiring more than a day to fully appreciate.
Conclusion
The journey through Route 40 in Argentine Patagonia encompasses diverse landscapes, including glaciers, lakes, forests, and mountains. The video highlights key attractions such as the Perito Moreno Glacier, Mount Fitz Roy, and Los Alerces National Park, emphasizing the natural beauty and unique ecosystems of the region.
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