HIKING TO PLAYA MUÑOZ BARILOCHE: A SECRET BEACH PARADISE.
On our recent exploration of Patagonia, we spent some time in San Carlos Bariloche trying to find the best hikes (and the best beers – more on that in a separate post!) There are many fantastic hikes to choose from, but our hike to Playa Muñoz felt like a special one – not least because it offered such a contrast to the difficult mountain hikes in the area. The hike to Playa Muñoz is sedate, relaxed but still beautiful. And did we mention that it ends at a secret beach?!?!
Read on to find out all you need to know about hiking to Playa Muñoz, a beautiful beach on shores of Lago Guttierez, Bariloche.
Are there beaches in Bariloche? Can you swim in Bariloche?
Whilst you can swim and dip in the cool waters of Nahuel Huapi in the centre of Bariloche, it is widely considered that the best place to swim near to Bariloche is Lago Guitterez. This is a large lake around 20 minutes from the centre of town. There are lots of swimming spots and beaches along the lake, but we think one of the most inviting is the “secret beach” of Playa Muñoz which you can only get to on foot. Read on to find out more about how to hike there.
Best hikes in Bariloche
Many of the hikes in Bariloche are high octane and involve significant climbs to mountain refuges. Our two favorites were the ultimate day hike from Bariloche to Refugio Frey. And, the hike that we call “the one with the amazing views,” aka the hike to Refugio Lopez on Cerro Lopez.
However, if you’re visiting Bariloche for a few days and looking for a “rest day” hike, or, just an opportunity to unwind we highly recommend the trek to Playa Muñoz.
We think this is a great hike for a very hot day, much of it is in the shade, plus you get to cool off at the beach at the end. This hike would also suit families with children, as it’s quite easy going and kids will love discovering the secret beach!
Hiking to Playa Muñoz Bariloche
KEY POINTS ABOUT THE PLAYA MUNOZ HIKE
START POINT: Here – around 20 minutes drive from Bariloche
HIKE STYLE: Out and back
DISTANCE: 7.2 miles (total for out and back) 11.5km
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,358ft
TIME: 3 to 4 hours – not including time spent at the beach
TERRAIN: Sandy paths, some small ascents and descents
NAVIGATION: Well sign posted, but you can also follow this trail on All Trails if you wish to.
After parking up our car, the hike begins near to the campsite in Lago Guttierez. At the start of the trail, we were offered fresh churros and chocolate sauce by a lady selling the beautiful treats from a basket. The perfect snack to accompany our hike.
The trail begins in a forest, with a few sign posts offering different routes. We chose to head first to the waterfall – Cascada Lost Duendes, and were immediately enveloped in the beauty and nature of the forest. From here, the hike moves towards Playa Munoz through more forests and sandy tracks. It is a gentle climb, but nonetheless we still felt we were working a little! Beautiful views of Lago Guttierez emerge from the trees.
After the climb, we enjoyed some flat sandy trails on narrow tracks. The trail was fairly empty as we walked in the morning, but as we returned later in the day to walk back there were more people arriving.
Eventually, you will start to descend, quite steeply in some places. It felt that we would be in the woods forever, but before we knew it we had stepped out onto the most fabulous beach of Playa Muñoz that seemed to emerge from nowhere.
The beach was quiet when we visited, another couple and one other hiker. But we were able to find a private picnic spot to enjoy our lunch and spend a few languid hours between the water and the shore.
The hike returns via the same route – our backpacks were lighter having enjoyed our picnic and our bodies were rejuvenated by the water.
Combine a hike to Playa Muñoz with a visit to a waterfall
In the same area of the national park as the beach, you’ll find the wonderful Cascada de los Duendes. This is a small but perfectly formed waterfall. As part of your hike to Playa Muñoz, we recommend taking a detour to visit the waterfall. It will add around 800m on to your hike, so perhaps 10 minutes extra of walking – well worth it. Simply follow the sign posts to the Cascada on the way back on heading out to the beach – the two trails connect up really well.
How to get to the Playa Muñoz trail in Bariloche
The trail to Playa Muñoz begins at the side of Lago Gutierrez around here. It is very well sign posted, so you’ll know you’re in the right place.
You can take a bus from the centre of Bariloche to the trail head of Playa Muñoz. This is bus number 50. However, the nearest stop is Villa Los Coihues, which is some 3kms away from the start.
We drove to the trail head in our hire car. The drive took around 20 minutes from the centre of Bariloche and was very easy. Parking is free at the ranger station right next to the trail – found here. We arrived early at around 09:30 and were the first to park, but when we returned to our car at 15:00 there were cars everywhere. There are only a few “official” spaces, but most cars just park along the side of the road where there are no parking restrictions.
What to take with you on the hike to Playa Muñoz
After you leave the car parking area, there is nowhere to get refreshments.
Therefore, we recommend packing a picnic lunch and some drinks to enjoy on the beach. We spent a few hours enjoying the water and I wouldn’t have wanted to rush away any sooner than we did!
If you’re hiking in summer months, take plenty of water, sunscreen and a sun hat too. The hike is a gentle one, so hiking boots are not required – sneakers/ trainers are just fine.
You also do not need walking poles, although we saw a few people carrying sticks (possibly due to the warning signs about Pumas being in the area – note, sightings of Pumas in Chile and Argentina are incredibly rare!)
Can you swim at Playa Muñoz
Yes! You absolutely can swim at Playa Muñoz! Ok, I will warn you – the water is FREEZING. Even in the height of summer. But, if you’re into cold water swimming, you’ll love it. And if you’re not – you should still go in and enjoy it for a few brief and wonderful minutes (or seconds.) Honestly, the water is calm, clear and beautifully refreshing after a hot and sweaty hike.
We had hiked to Refugio Frey on the previous day and there was nothing like resting my aching muscles and feeling weightless in the water at Playa Muñoz.
Extend the Playa Muñoz hike to trek to Refugio Frey
Speaking of the Refugio Frey hike, it is possible to walk to Refugio Frey from the Playa Muñoz trail (and vice versa). We chose to walk to Refugio Frey and Playa Muñoz on two days on separate hikes, but you can combine them.
Personally, I think the best bet would be to walk to Frey first and then come down via the beach to cool off and relax. But you can do it either way.
Check out the Playa Muñoz trail map on All Trails to see how to combine the two routes.
Where to stay near Playa Muñoz
If you wanted to spend more time near to Lago Guttierez, then you may want to look for some beautiful lake front accommodation. Here are our top picks:
BUDGET: Indomito Hostel is a dorm style hostel, set in a large house on the lake. Guests love the location, the large garden and the vibe. There’s also a massive grill for traditional Argentinean Asado.
MID-RANGE: Hosteria El Condado is a very popular lake front property close to Bariloche centre. From here you can explore the lake and the beaches, as well as enjoying water front views from the terrace.
Where to next in Argentina?
You can find our guides to travelling in Argentina below:
- Buenos Aires – a three day itinerary
- Best things to do in Palermo, Buenos Aires
- Dining at Don Julio restaurant in Buenos Aires
- Where to stay in Buenos Aires
- Where to stay in Mendoza
- Our experience of staying in a wine hotel in Mendoza
- Wine cycling in Mendoza – a top experience
- Best hikes in Bariloche
- Best hikes & things to do in El Chalten
- Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier – a guide
- Driving in Argentina: A guide
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.
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