Foot, bicycle, and kayak are the best ways to see Villa la Angostura and nearby sights. For hiking in the mountains, where the trails are too steep and narrow for bicycles, consider hiring a taxi or remise to the trailhead.

At El Cruce, four blocks south of the bus terminal, the Museo Histórico Regional (Bulevar Nahuel Huapi and El Calafate, 02944/49-4476, ext. 21, free) deals primarily with pioneer timber cutting, the agriculture that followed it, the families who established themselves here, and the binational Mapuche legacy. It has recently been closed for repairs.

From June–September, nine kilometers southeast of El Cruce, the Centro de Ski Cerro Bayo (Las Fucsias 121, Oficina 3, tel. 02944/49-4189 in town, www.cerrobayoweb.com) operates 26 kilometers of runs ranging from 1,050 to 1,782 meters above sea level with five chairlifts and five tow bars. Cerro Bayo also has accommodations, restaurants, and rental equipment on-site; for lift ticket prices, consult the website.

From El Cruce, a narrow four-kilometer road zigzags to Mirador Belvedere, a wide parking area and overlook with views along Lago Correntoso to the north, the implausibly short Río Correntoso that connects it to Lago Nahuel Huapi, and the hoary western peaks that mark the Chilean border.

About midway up the route, an eastbound forest trail leads to Cascada Inacayal, a 50-meter waterfall. From the parking area, a three-kilometer trail to 1,992-meter Cerro Belvedere climbs through coihue forest before dipping into a saddle and then ascending steeply over Cerro Falso Belvedere before continuing to the summit. The road, with several blind curves, can be difficult in wet weather.