Hike Hut to Hut in Bariloche

Day 1: Cerro Catedral

The hike starts at the base station of Cerro Catedral skiing resort. You follow a hiking trail which goes at the side of the mountain slowly going higher, smooth slopes that cross some creeks. Gutierrez Lake and Cerro Ventana are at 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. You will pass Refugio Piedritas (little rock refuge), an unusual bivouac built under a big rock.

From there onwards you will observe on the traverse how the vegetation gets smaller and scarce as you get higher, the Lenga shrubs will allow you to see the first rocky formations of the valley. After 4 hours hike you will see the foot of Aguja (spire) Frey, by Toncek lagoon the Refugio (mountain hut) Emilio Frey (at 1.700 m above sea level) is surrounded by a circle of granite spires.

Length of hike: 4-6 hours

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Mountain hut 

Day 2: Laguna Toncek

Hiking along the Toncek lagoon and ascending at its end you get into rocky terrain until you reach the Catedral mountain ridge, passing along Schmoll Lagoon and the so-called 'cancha de futbol' (football court). From the ridge the view is magnificent to Rucaco Valley, Cerro tres Reyes, Torre Principal (main Catedral tower) and the majestic Mount Tronador at the background. Descend to Rucaco Valley, then ascend again to Brecha Negra pass and another descent to Refugio (mountain hut) San Martin, Jacob Lagoon.

Length of hike: 6-8 hours

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Mountain hut 

Day 3: Refugio Italia

After breakfast, continue hiking to Tompanos lagoon and Refugio peak. This part may be the most technically difficult section of the traverse, trekking through the Los Inocentes Andes ridge to Cerro Navidad and 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.

Length of hike: 8-12 hours

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Mountain hut 

Day 4: Negra Lagoon

Hike along Negra Lagoon, with some rocky parts. You continue hiking, ascending through a wide valley to Negro mountain ridge. You will have a wide view of mountains such as Bailey Willis, Negro, CAB, Capitan, Tristeza lake branch and CAB lagoon. Hike around Bailey Willis Mountain, descending to Goye Valley, and then ascend to Turista peak at Lopez mountain, descending to the mountain hut to the end of your hiking traverse.

Length of hike: 7-9 hours

Meals: Breakfast, lunch