Bosque de Arrayanes

Los Arrayanes National Park was established in 1971 to protect the rare arrayán trees (Chilean myrtle trees) that grow in the area. Up until that time, the forest was part of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. In order to protect the soil and roots of these fragile, slow-growing trees, a wooden path runs throughout the park for tourists to wander through without causing harm. The arrayan trees have and irregular white spots on their narrows trunks, as well as cinnamon-colored bark that is cool to the touch and peels off as the tree grows. These evergreen trees bloom white in the summer (January and February) and produce an edible, blue-black fruit in early autumn. Some are up to 650 years old.
The national park covers an area of about 4,332 acres on the Quetrihué Peninsula along the northern shores of the Nahuel Huapi Lake and is easily accessible from Villa La Angostura. Travelers can explore the park on foot, by horse or on bike. Many animals and birds live in the forest, including pudú and huemul deer, guanacos, monitos de monte, small foxes, condors, eagles, hawks and woodpeckers. 

Practical Info:

The closest town to Los Arrayanes National Park is Villa la Angostura, 51 miles north of Bariloche. The park is accessible via a seven-mile-long pathway, or from Nahuel Huapi Lake.