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 according to your preference.

Options

Catedral Ridge route

At the scheduled time, we will pick you up from your hotel and head to the base of Cerro Catedral mountain, where the cable car ticket must be purchased separately. We will ascend for 40 minutes, enjoying panoramic views to the summit of the mountain.

At over 6500 feet, we will hike over rocky terrain for two hours, taking in views of Cerro Tronador and high Andean landscapes. We will reach "the cancha de futbol" and then descend to the lagoons of Schmoll and Toncek, separated by a narrow path of stones.

After circling the lagoons, we will arrive at Refugio Emilio Frey at 1,676 m (5,500 feet). Here, we will take a break for a sandwich, fruit, and a cereal bar amidst natural beauty.

Post-break, we will descend via the traditional path, crossing 10 km (6 mi) of forest, before returning to the departure point. The trip concludes in Bariloche after approximately 9 hours.

Traditional hiking route

This morning begins similarly, arriving at the base of Cerro Catedral mountain. Instead of the cable car, we will trek the traditional hiking route.

We will trek for four hours along gentle slopes, passing forests and streams while enjoying views of Lake Gutierrez and Cerro Ventana. The trek will take us through the valley of Arroyo del Van Titter, culminating in a steeper section leading to Refugio Emilio Frey.

After 10 km (6 mi), we will rest, enjoying a sandwich, fruit, and a cereal bar with stunning Patagonian views.

After the break, we will follow the traditional track back to Villa Catedral, taking between 2.5 to 3 hours. The hike concludes in Bariloche, also 9 hours later.

Important information

For both options, a good level of physical fitness is recommended.Consult us if you are pregnant or have a heart condition before booking.The Catedral Ridge route is only available in summer and on windless days, not suitable for those with vertigo or knee issues.