Hike Hut to Hut in Bariloche

Day 1: Cerro Catedral

The day before we'll visit you at your lodging for a check equipment and mountain guide meeting. Pick up at approx 9:00 and transfer to the head trail (30 min drive from Bariloche city). Your hike starts at the base of cerro Catedral skiing resort. We follow a hiking trail that follows the side of the mountain slowly climbing past smooth slopes that cross a few creeks. Gutiérrez lake and Cerro Ventana are in sight along the first part of the hiking trail. Then the trail gets into the Van Titter creek valley. Lenga (Nothofagus) forest and some shrubby species dominate this section of the trail. After 4 hours of hiking, you will see at the foot of Aguja (spire) Frey, by Toncek lagoon the Refugio (mountain hut) Emilio Frey (at 1.700 m above sea level) surrounded by a circle of granite spires. Spend the night here at the Refugio and enjoy watching climbers try their hand at this world-famous rock climbing destination.

Lodging: Mountain hut (shared rooms)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Elevation gain: +750 mts
Time: 4-6 Hrs
Terrain: Clear trail
Activity Level: Intermediate

Day 2: Laguna Toncek

After a hearty breakfast, hike along the Toncek lagoon and ascend through rocky terrain until you reach the Catedral mountain ridge, passing along Schmoll lagoon. From the ridge, the view is magnificent looking into Rucaco valley, Cerro Tres Reyes, Torre principal (main Catedral tower) and the majestic Mount Tronador in the background. You´ll descend to Rucaco valley, then ascent again to Brecha Negra pass and last hiking down to Refugio (mountain hut) San Martín, Jakob lagoon. Spend the evening here and enjoy the incredible views along this lake.

Lodging: Mountain hut (shared rooms)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation gain: +600 mts / - 750 mts
Time: 6-8 Hrs
Terrain: Gravel, rocky
Activity Level: Intermediate

Day 3: Refugio Italia

After breakfast, you continue hiking to Témpanos lagoon and Refugio peak. This part may be the most technically difficult section of the hut-to-hut traverse, trekking through the Los Inocentes Andes ridge to Cerro Navidad, descending to the stream that comes from Negra lagoon. From there, the last part of the hike is an ascent to Refugio Italia “Manfredo Segre” mountain hut. Rest your bones at the Refugio Italia hut for the evening.

Lodging: Mountain hut (shared rooms)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation gain: +850 mts / - 850 mts
Time: 8-12 Hrs
Terrain: Gravel, rocky, slabs
Activity Level: Intermediate + / Challenging

Day 4: Negra Lagoon

On your final day, hike along Negra lagoon, with some rocky parts. Continue hiking, ascending through a wide valley to Negro mountain ridge. You will have wide views to mountains such as Bailey Willis, Negro, CAB, Capitán, Tristeza branch and CAB lagoon. You'll hike around Bailey Willis Mountain, descending to Goye valley, and then ascending to Turista peak at López Mountain, descending to the mountain hut to the end of our hiking traverse. Transfer back to Bariloche city late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Elevation gain: +700 mts/- 1100 mts
Time: 7-9 Hrs
Terrain: Gravel, rocky, slabs
Activity Level: Intermediate + / Challenging