Bandurrias viewpoint and La Islita

Hiking in the forest and an ideal view

Duration: 1/2 day
Distance: 8,3 km

On foot (5 km): Leaving from San Martin de los Andes, at the dock located at the headwaters of the lake, you must walk along the lakeside path in the direction opposite to Road Nº234.

Two blocks later, you must take Roca street. In the following block, you will cross the vehicular bridge over Calbuco stream. You must turn left and take the path that appears after the sewage and effluent treatment plant. After some minutes, you will reach the mouth of Pocahullo stream. Then, you will see that the path forks several times. You must always take the track on your right. Finally, you will come across the vehicular road which takes to the view point, just after a crossroads.

The viewpoint is over an 800 meter high crag, and from its summit you can get a panoramic view of the city, of Vega Maipú, Lácar lake, and Comandante Díaz, Curruhuinca, Abanico, Vizcacha, Sábana and Piedra del Trompul Hills.

San Martín de los Andes seen from Bandurrias

Going back to the crossroads, you can reach La Islita, after paying an entry fee, for you are going into lands which belong to the Mapuche community. The walk through the nature reserve ends at a white sand beach. An ideal place to camp.

This viewpoint is inside the private property of the Curruhuinca Mapuche community and it is an area for forest development, cattle raising and fruit plantation. You should avoid entering with loose dogs.

You can also get to the viewpoint and to La Islita by car. You must take Provincial Road Nº48 towards Hua Hum pass (towards Chile) and a few kilometers later, turn left at the reserve sign.