Cerro Catedral Hike

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

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. We will purchase the cable car ticket (not included), followed by a 40-minute ascent to the summit. At over 6500 feet, we will begin our hike over rocky terrain, trekking for two hours with views of Cerro Tronador mountain and the Andean landscapes.

We will reach "the cancha de futbol" and descend to the lagoons of Schmoll and Toncek, surrounded by a narrow stone path. After circling the lagoons, we will arrive at Refugio Emilio Frey at 5,500 feet, where we will pause for a sandwich, fruit, and a cereal bar.

Following our break, we will descend 10 km (6 mi) through a forest of coihue and lenga beech trees, returning to the departure point, concluding the trip in Bariloche after approximately 9 hours.

Traditional hiking route

The day begins similarly until we reach the foot of Cerro Catedral mountain. Instead of the cable car, we will trek along the traditional hiking route for four hours, ascending through forests and streams with views of lake Gutierrez and Cerro Ventana.

We will traverse the valley of Arroyo del Van Titter and see the vegetation change as we climb. The final segment will be steeper, leading to the Refugio Emilio Frey after a 10 km (6 mi) trek. Here, we will rest and enjoy refreshments while taking in the surrounding landscapes.

After the pause, we will return to Villa Catedral, taking 2.5 to 3 hours. The hike will finish in Bariloche after 9 hours.

Important information

For both options, a good physical fitness level is recommended.If pregnant or have a heart condition, please consult before booking.The Catedral Ridge route is available only in summer and on calm days and is not suitable for those with vertigo or knee issues.