Cerro Catedral Hike

Enjoy a day hiking through Patagonia to Refugio Frey, a mountain lodge at 5,500 feet above sea level. You have two route options to choose from.

Options

Catedral Ridge route

Pick-up from your hotel occurs at the scheduled time, followed by a trip to the base of Cerro Catedral mountain, where you will need to purchase a cable car ticket (not included). The cable car ride takes 40 minutes, offering panoramic views as we ascend to over 6,500 feet. Upon reaching the summit, we will embark on a two-hour hike over rocky terrain, enjoying views of Cerro Tronador and the Andean landscapes.

We will arrive at "the cancha de futbol" and then descend to the lagoons of Schmoll and Toncek. After circling the lagoons, we will reach Refugio Emilio Frey at 1,676 m (5,500 feet). Here, we will have a break to enjoy a sandwich, fruit, and a cereal bar before continuing our descent through 10 km (6 mi) of coihue and lenga beech forest. The trip concludes in Bariloche after approximately 9 hours.

Traditional hiking route

This option starts the same way, but instead of taking the cable car, we will hike the traditional route. The trek lasts four hours, gradually ascending through forests and crossing streams while taking in views of Lake Gutierrez and Cerro Ventana mountain.

We will hike through Arroyo del Van Titter valley and cross a bridge, observing the changing vegetation. The final stretch to Refugio Emilio Frey involves a steeper ascent over 10 km (6 mi), where we will rest and have snacks. After the break, we will follow the traditional track back to Villa Catedral, taking 2.5 to 3 hours. The hike finishes back in Bariloche about 9 hours later.

Important information

Good physical fitness is recommended for participants.Consult us if pregnant or if you have a heart condition before booking.The Catedral Ridge route is only available in summer and on calm days; it is not suitable for those with vertigo or knee issues.