Mirador del Traful

The basics

A wooden footbridge leads to two large platforms carved into the side of the rocky cliff. The platforms provide sweeping views of Traful Lake and the surrounding Andean peaks, which include Mt. Monje, Mt. Negro, and Traful Peak. Interpretation panels displayed on the platforms provide information about the area’s landscape and geology. Sightseeing tours from Bariloche often include a quick visit to the viewpoint, typically stopping for just enough time to take some photos.

Things to know before you go

• On the lake's shore, the mountain town of Villa Traful has campgrounds, a gas station, and hotels.

• Dress in layers: it is often very windy at the viewpoint.

• There are steps along the footbridge, which is not wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

The closest town to Mirador del Traful is Villa Traful, which is around 3.5 miles (6 kilometers) west. You can walk directly to the viewpoint from town (it takes around 1.5 hours) or drive there in 10 minutes. The viewpoint is a 1.5-hour drive north of Bariloche—the route includes unpaved roads.

When to get there

Mirador del Traful is at its most beautiful when the sun is shining on the sparkling surface of the lake. Watching the sun go down in the late afternoon is also very rewarding. Most visitors come here and explore the surrounding national park in spring and summer (September through March) when the weather is best.

How to visit the submerged forest

Across the lake from the viewpoint, the submerged forest is a natural phenomenon that has occurred due to the movement of tectonic plates causing the forest on the mountainside to sink into the lake. You can see more than 60 cypress trees completely submerged in the crystal-clear water of Lake Traful. You can see it from the viewpoint but will get the best views from a boat or by taking a snorkel or diving excursion with a local operator.