At Río Villegas, clear road connections meet trails and river activities in the Valle del río Manso. When planning, it helps to distinguish the different reference points: access via National Route 40, the continuation along Provincial Route 83, and the individual routes on foot, by bike, or on the water.
Road directions and access
Río Villegas access is located at kilometer 1970 of National Route 40. Provincial Route 83 begins in Río Villegas and runs through the Valle del río Manso. For the Entrepasarelas route, access is described as following National Route 40 to the National Gendarmerie post at the Río Villegas. From Río Villegas, access continues along Provincial Route 83 for about 10 kilometers on a gravel road to the first footbridge; the bike route starts there.
Another reference point is Pasarela Andrade, located 11 kilometers from the start of Provincial Route 83. This refers to the start of the road, not to the first footbridge on the Entrepasarelas access route. When comparing the routes, pay attention to their respective starting points and do not read the two distance figures as the same leg.
Hiking and biking routes
In Nahuel Huapi National Park, the Huella Andina includes a section from Lago Steffen to Río Villegas. The section between Río Villegas and Los Pozones is separate: a notice dated August 24, 2026, said it would remain closed until further notice because rockfalls, landslides, and other unstable areas posed a safety risk. Check the current status of this section before hiking.
The Entrepasarelas offers a different perspective by bike: the bike route follows the Río Manso along its entire length. It starts at the first footbridge on the access route. The routes described therefore differ not only in how you travel, but also in their reference points: the Huella Andina connects Lago Steffen with Río Villegas, while the bike route follows the river.
River, walking trail, and camping in the valley
Pozón del río Manso is two kilometers from Camping Coihuin-co and can be reached on foot. Camping is available in the Valle del río Manso; the entrance to Camping Coihuin-co is 200 meters from the access to Provincial Route 83. These details provide directions to the named destinations but do not indicate the amenities or availability of individual accommodations.
Rafting is also an activity on the Río Manso, with stretches rated difficulty classes 2, 3, and 4. A rafting excursion starts at paraje Villegas, where the Río Manso and Río Villegas meet. Before booking, check which providers and conditions currently apply to the tour you have in mind.
More tours in Departamento Bariloche
The wider destination of Departamento Bariloche offers other, separate route options. Circuito Chico is Bariloche’s traditional excursion route, connecting the city, forests, lakes, and mountains. At kilometer 30, the route to Villa Tacul branches off at Bahía de Llao Llao and continues toward Lago Escondido.
The hikes there can also be distinguished by their stated duration: the Cerrito Llao Llao–Villa Tacul hike is considered easy and takes between 50 minutes and 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on the section and starting point. The hike at Bahía López, also considered easy, is listed as taking about 1.5 hours. This comparison can help with time planning without conflating these tours with the trails around Río Villegas.
Discover more destinations: San Carlos De Bariloche, El Foyel, Villa Mascardi, Llao Llao, Puerto Blest.
Return to the main travel overview: Departamento Bariloche.
