This hike is ideal for exploring the mountains of the Bariloche area in 1 or 2 days.
The trek begins at the base of Cerro Catedral, located 15 km from the center of the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. It is 20 km long, including the ascent and descent, with a total elevation gain of 800 m.
We will start by walking through a mixed forest, gaining very little altitude as we warm up, crossing crystal clear streams. Little by little, we will begin to enjoy views of Lake Gutierrez and the beautiful mountains that surround it from above. After walking for a while, we will begin to travel through the Van-Titter stream valley, within the tall lenga forest, and, gaining a little more altitude, we will arrive at the Slovenian refuge “Piedritas,” where we can take a good rest. Then we will be left with the final stage of the tour, which ascends through a forest of increasingly stunted lenga trees until we reach the Emilio Frey refuge. It is located on the shores of Tonchek Lagoon, in an incredible cirque sculpted by glaciers and surrounded by granite needles, where, if we are lucky and have a good eye, we will be able to watch climbers enjoying the quality of the rock.
If you wish, you can spend the night at the refuge, enjoying a delicious dinner and resting after a beautiful sunset and a night under the stars. Alternatively, if you prefer to return to the village, you can make the descent on the same day, returning to Bariloche in the afternoon.
We highly recommend spending the night on the mountain, as you will have more time to enjoy it and take short walks in the area around the refuge. It is also a good option for combining trekking activities over several days in the area (ask about similar activities).