Dates: December – April; pick your date
Impressive 4-day trekking traverse trough Bariloche’s nicest mountain ridges and mountain valleys, in the heart of Nahuel Huapi National park, in North Patagonia.
On the shore of lake Nahuel Huapi, the city of Bariloche is the entrance door to the Patagonian Lake District. While crossing forests and valleys, we will appreciate beautiful views of the different lakes and volcanoes in the area.
For this trip, we’ll stay at the mountain huts Frey, San Martin and Italia. Although there are no showers, there are a lot of beautiful Lagunas to take a swim each day. As for each day meals, we will carry our lunches in our backpacks but enjoy dinner and breakfast from the huts.
Highlights:
- The fantastic atmosphere in the Argentinean refuges. People are very welcoming, friendly, relaxed and open minded. Sometimes they even play music.
- The chance to admire some breathtaking views along the way. One of the most beautiful is the one of the Nahuel Huapi from Mount Lopez and Cerro Tronador, an old sleeping volcano.
- Our last stop in Colonia Suiza. This beautiful village is preserved like it was 150 years ago in Switzerland.
Hiking Itinerary trekking Bariloche:
Arrival Day:
Meet your UIMLA hiking guide in Bariloche and enjoy a dinner together.
Night at a hotel in Bariloche (D)
Day 1 – Cerro Catedral – Refugio Frey (1700m)
Our trekking starts at the feet of the ski area Cerro Catedral, one of the most known ski areas in South America. We’ll follow the “picada del Frey” up to Refugio Frey (1700 m) next to the Toncek Laguna.
It’s surrounded by nice granite towers which are famous for rock climbing.
Night at Refugio Frey (B,L,D)
- Total ascent: 750 m / Distance: 12km
Day 2 – Refugio Frey – Refugio San Martin (1650 m)
We walk up to la arrest del Cerro in-between the granite towers (los Catedrales) and down to Rucaco valley. After reaching Brecha Negra pass it’s only an hour down to Refugio and Laguna San Martin.
Night at the beautiful and new Refugio San Martin (B/L/D)
- Total ascent: 743 m / Total descent: 917 m / Distance: 9.5 km
Day 3 – Refugio San Martin – Refugio Italia (1650 m)
A technical trail brings us up to Cerro Navidad. From here we descent the Goyes valley for a bit an take a short ascend up on the Laguna Negra trail to the Refugio Italia.
Night at Refugio Italia (B/L/D)
- Total ascent: 850 m / Total descent: 840 m / Distance: 10 km
Day 4 – Refugio Italia – Refugio Cerro Lopez – Bariloche
Last trekking day with great views over the Nahuel Huapi Lake. We leave the Laguna Negra behind us and climb up to Cerro Baileys on an easy trail.
On our way down to Bariloche we will stop at Refugio Lopez (1670 m) for a drink. After a refreshing beer in Colonia Suiza we take the bus back to the Hotel in Bariloche.
Night at Hotel in Bariloche (B,L,D)
- Total ascent: 750m / Total descent: 1100m / Distance: 16km
Prices:
2-3 guests: 1700.- USD / guest
4 guests: 1500.- USD / guest
Included in the price: Organisation, local UIMLA-mountain leader guiding for 4 days, 3 nights in mountain huts with half board, pick nick lunches, transportation from Bariloche airport to Bariloche airport or town
Not included in the price: First and last night at Hotel in Bariloche, Drinks, personal insurances, equipment
Personal requirements
You need to be in good physical shape for this trip. You should be able to walk around 6hrs each day with your backpack with a sleeping bag, some extra cloth and your lunch/drink.
Area map with the 4 mountain huts and Bariloche:
1. Hiking start at Cerro Catedral
2. Refugio Frey
3. Refugio San Martin/Jacob
4. Refugio Italia / Laguna Negra
5. Refugio Lopez
6. Bariloche with the Bus terminal and the airport
Your perfect private house in Bariloche – Casa Verde Paraiso
If you’re looking for a house before and after the tour to relax in Bariloche and explore the area, here is a wonderful option. You can book it directly trough Airbnb or book with us.
Hello – we are a party of 2 interested in this trek in early November. Is that timing possible?