Cerro Catedral Hike

Enjoy a day hiking through beautiful Patagonia along a hillside path to Refugio Frey, a mountain lodge 5500 feet above sea level. You have a choice of two possible routes so you can adapt the experience to suit your preference.

Options

Catedral Ridge route

At the indicated time we will pick you up from your hotel and head to the foot of Cerro Catedral mountain, where we will buy the ticket for the cable car (not included). The cable car ride lasts 40 minutes, offering panoramic views as we ascend to the summit of the mountain.

Upon reaching the summit, we will begin our hike over rocky terrain for two hours, enjoying views of Cerro Tronador mountain and the high Andean landscapes. We will reach a location known as "the cancha de futbol" and then descend to the lagoons of Schmoll and Toncek.

After circling the lagoons, we will arrive at Refugio Emilio Frey at 5,500 feet, where we will take a break with a sandwich, piece of fruit, and cereal bar. We will then descend along the traditional path, crossing 10 km (6 mi) of forest, eventually returning to the original departure point. The trip concludes back in Bariloche, approximately 9 hours later.

Traditional hiking route

The morning follows the same start as the first option until reaching the bottom of Cerro Catedral mountain. Instead of the cable car, we will begin our trek along the traditional hiking route.

This 4-hour ascent will take us through forests, across streams, and provide views of lake Gutierrez and Cerro Ventana. We will hike through the valley of Arroyo del Van Titter and witness changes in vegetation and rock formations as we climb.

The final stretch will be steeper, ultimately reaching Refugio Emilio Frey after 10 km (6 mi). There we will rest with a sandwich, piece of fruit, and cereal bar while taking in Patagonian views. We will then follow the traditional track back to Villa Catedral, taking between 2.5 and 3 hours. The hike concludes back in Bariloche, 9 hours later.

Important information

For both options, a good level of physical fitness is recommended.Consult us before booking if you are pregnant or have a heart condition.The route along the Catedral Ridge is only conducted in summer and on days without wind. Not suitable for those with vertigo or knee issues.