PATAGONIA JOURNEY ESQUEL TREVELIN EL BOLSON AND RIO AZUL

During this Patagonia journey, after our Bariloche Patagonia journey, we decided to continue south. We left Bariloche’s blue lakes and majestic mountains behind with a farewell smile, and let ourselves fall into the arms of a quieter, deeper and wilder Patagonia.

On this Patagonia road route, we visited three towns —Esquel, Trevelin and El Bolsón— and Río Azul; one of the clearest and most innocent rivers we saw along the way.

We are Özcan and Beni, two hearts on wheels traveling together across the endless roads of South America. If you wonder who we are and how this dream began, you can read our full story here.

Esquel: flowers, mountains and the peace of Patagonian towns

This Patagonia road route first took us into the calm embrace of Chubut province, to Esquel. The town welcomed us with a huge “ESQUEL” sign decorated with colorful flowers, as if the town itself were smiling and whispering “welcome.” We walked around the center, ate at a small local restaurant and felt the slow, deep rhythm of inland Patagonia in our hearts.

We climbed to a hill, to a viewpoint; all of Esquel lay below us: modest houses, orderly streets, a valley stretching to the horizon and mountains embracing the town. This was one of those places where silence does not disturb you; instead, it accompanies you like a friend. For many people, Esquel is the gateway to Los Alerces National Park, famous for its ancient forests and emerald-colored lakes. For us, it became a warm door opening onto a more intimate, more sincere face of Patagonia. More practical information about Esquel is also available on the Esquel page.

Trevelin: a soft sunset in the shadow of the mountains

Gliding a little farther south and a little deeper inland from Esquel, we reached Trevelin; the name of this small town of Welsh origin means “little mill.” Here, Patagonia showed itself in softer, more pastel tones: endless meadows, simple and proud houses, and purple mountains gently framing the horizon.

We walked through the streets of the town and ended the day in front of the “Trevelin” sign, almost like saying a prayer; as the sun melted behind the mountains, the sky turned pink, orange and lavender, and the wind gently stroked the dry grasses in the valley. In that moment, we did nothing; we simply watched, took deep breaths and allowed the sunset to do its ancient and silent work. Sometimes the essence of travel is exactly that.

Trevelin is also known for its Welsh tea houses and its proximity to Los Alerces National Park; it is ideal for hiking, river trips and getting lost in the depths of native forests. It is the kind of place where nature sets the calendar and time moves according to the pace of falling leaves. For more information, the Trevelin page can also be consulted.

El Bolsón: art, nature and free-spirited Patagonia

After Trevelin, we turned the road north toward a slightly more bohemian spirit and arrived in El Bolsón, Patagonia’s beloved, free-spirited town. Embraced by a valley, mountains, forests and rivers, the atmosphere of the town blends nature, creativity and the philosophy of a quiet life in one place.

The white El Bolsón sign greeted us; behind us, the Patagonian mountains stretched out in a magnificent harmony of blue and white. We took photos there that froze the moment and walked toward the center; we visited the large handicraft market called Feria Artesanal. It was a colorful and lively setting filled with local flavors, regional sweets, the foamy joy of craft beers and the rhythm of live music.

Artists, wandering souls and local people had turned the square into a symphony of colors and sounds; every stall seemed to tell a different life story. Later, we walked toward the pedestrian bridge in the area; we found ourselves in the middle of a calm, peaceful landscape among the river in a thousand shades of green and the mountains.

Finally, we went to Cascada Escondida, the “Hidden Waterfall”; among short trails and the melody of falling water, it was a place where we touched Patagonia in one of its purest, most untouched forms. For more information about the area, the El Bolsón page can also be consulted.

Río Azul: crystal-clear water, trails and Patagonia at its purest

Very close to El Bolsón, Río Azul was one of the clearest and most innocent rivers we encountered on this route. The water was so transparent, so clean, that every stone and every grain of sand at the bottom seemed to tell a different story; depending on the dance of the light, it shifted through countless shades from green to turquoise and glassy blue.

First, we walked along a trail that followed the river, full of the whispers of leaves; we crossed a wooden suspension bridge and filled our lungs with the earthy smell of damp soil and old forest. Because this bridge was surrounded by a green tunnel of trees and suspended above water flowing below like turquoise silk, it became one of the most magical and unforgettable moments of our journey.

Later, we reached an area where people were swimming; the water was ice cold —but Beni did not hesitate for even a moment before letting herself into that clear coldness— and the sharp, invigorating contrast between the warmth of the summer sun and the freezing freshness of the river made the place feel truly magical.

Later, we climbed to a viewpoint; from above, the entire Río Azul valley unfolded before our eyes: endless forests, the river winding through them and the silhouette of snowy mountains in the distance. This was the place where we witnessed Patagonia in its purest and most unfiltered form: calm nature, intense and vivid colors and a deep silence that seemed endless.

Río Azul is part of the network of hiking trails and mountain refuges in the El Bolsón area. It is an ideal place for full-day walks, for resting the soul by the river or simply for losing yourself for a while in the infinity of the landscape.

What the Patagonia journey taught us

This Patagonia road route taught us that we do not always need the shine of big cities or the shadow of famous monuments. Sometimes getting lost in the streets of a quiet town, listening to an icy river, wandering through a colorful market or watching the sun melt behind the mountains is enough to nourish the soul.

Our Latin America journey continues kilometer by kilometer, story by story, heartbeat by heartbeat. If you would like to continue this journey with us and set sail toward new adventures, you can return to our blog homepage or, for our other road stories, take a look at our English blog page .