Half-Day Kayak on Lake Gutiérrez in Bariloche

San Carlos de Bariloche•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

4 hours (approx.)

Fitness Level

Moderate — you should be comfortable paddling for up to 50 minutes at a time and able to carry a small personal pack.

Overview

Paddle a calm stretch of Lake Gutiérrez on a half-day guided kayak outing from Bariloche. Expect roughly 6 km of paddling, a beach snack break with medialunas and coffee, and hands-on instruction for novice paddlers.

Half-Day Kayak on Lake Gutiérrez in Bariloche

Kayak

Other

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The shoreline of Lake Gutiérrez wakes slow: water freckled by wind, distant pines leaning like listeners toward the lake. You meet your guide on a small pebble beach an easy drive from downtown San Carlos de Bariloche; neoprene booties click on stone, spray jackets flap, and the group slides sit-on-top kayaks into glassy water that seems to test you with a chill. Paddles break the surface with a soft slap and the lake, obligingly, pushes you away from shore.

Adventure Photos

Half-Day Kayak on Lake Gutiérrez in Bariloche photo 1

Adventure Tips

Launch timing

Choose a morning departure for flatter water and better light — winds tend to rise after mid-afternoon.

Layer for cold water

Wear a moisture-wicking base and a windproof outer layer; neoprene booties are provided but bring thin thermal socks if you’re prone to cold feet.

Hydrate and snack

Bring a refillable water bottle and enjoy the included coffee and medialunas at the beach stop to refuel.

Know the limits

This trip isn’t recommended for people with serious heart or back problems; minimum age is 12 and moderate fitness is required.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Coots and dabbling ducks
Occasional trout surfacing near shallow inlets

History

Lake Gutiérrez sits within Nahuel Huapi’s glacier-sculpted landscape; the area has long been traveled by Mapuche communities and later became popular for trout fishing and mountain recreation.

Conservation

Stay on designated access points and avoid leaving food scraps on beaches; local operators follow park guidelines to minimize disturbance to shoreline habitat.