Heart Island
In the Tronador arm.
Hiroki Ogawa — CC BY 3.0 · Argenjosh — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Krzysztof Rudnik — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Elvis Boaventura — CC BY 3.0 · Alexrebolledo — CC BY-SA 3.0
Mascardi is a blue glacial lake in Nahuel Huapi National Park south of Bariloche, about 23 kilometres long and up to 218 metres deep, shaped like an L: the Catedral arm runs north-south and the Tronador arm west toward the region's highest mountain. In the Tronador arm lies a small island called Isla Corazón, «Heart Island», for its shape from some angles. On its east shore lie the village of Villa Mascardi and beaches of sand and pebbles, visited in summer for cold swims, paddling and trout fishing, ringed by dense forest and snowy peaks. From here a gravel road follows the Tronador arm west toward Pampa Linda, Cerro Tronador and its glaciers. The lakeshore by Route 40 is free; continuing toward Pampa Linda and Tronador means the national park fee and a one-way road at set times.
In the Tronador arm.
Swims and paddling.
Forests and glaciers.
Nahuel Huapi National Park, about 35 km south of Bariloche on Route 40
The beaches by Route 40 are free; the road to Pampa Linda and Tronador charges the park fee.