Visit four of Bariloche's best mountain huts during this Nahuel Huapi Traverse in the company of local AAGM certified guide Camila.
Andes
5 Days
Jan - May, Dec
High
Advanced
This fantastic Nahuel Huapi Traverse connects four of the most emblematic mountain huts of the Bariloche Andean Club. In addition, this expedition is a must among those hikers who come every year with the intention of completing this circuit.
The imposing views, the beautiful lagoons and the endless green valleys are some of the features that make it an unforgettable experience. At the same time, the possibility of sleeping each night in a new and different mountain hut is a unique sensation. You will live in first person the hospitality and warm atmosphere that surrounds these historical mountain places.
The mountain refuges you'll visit during this Nahuel Huapi Traverse are:
FREY HUT
SAN MARTIN HUT (JAKOB)
ITALIA HUT
LOPEZ HUT
Please keep in mind that it's a moderate-hard trip since we must walk an average time of 6-7 hours per day. In addition to a strong fitness level, it will be also mandatory to have some previous hiking experience. That way we can make the best use of each day and enjoy the adventure to the fullest.
Keep in mind that this is actually a 4-day program and that the extra day is scheduled for bad weather. If we do happen to have bad weather, then we will go down to Colonia Suiza and our itinerary will be 5-days long. At the bottom of this page, you'll find the complete day-by-day itinerary. I also offer a 3-day trip during which you will only visit the Frey and Jakob huts. You can take a look by clicking here. It's suitable for those who prefer a less demanding trek.
And if you're ready to join me for this Nahuel Huapi Traverse, please contact me now. Fill out the form and I'll answer as soon as possible. Let's visit the most outstanding spots of Bariloche!
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
- Personal insurance
- Ski poles
This is the price to join a group of 6. Please inquire for a private quote
Crampons are included in the price.
Price does not include: meals, drinks, accommodation in Colonia Suiza and hut extras expenses.
Departing before midday from the Cerro Catedral Ski Resort we will take a well signed trail that crosses a burned forest (as product of a fire that happened a few years ago). After a 2-hour hike the trail goes into a valley called Van Titter that runs through a high forest of lengas trees. Then we’ll cross the Van Titter River and ascend about 50 meters by the trail to get to the Piedritas Refuge. From this point, the most physical part of this day begins since the trail ascends 300 meters until arriving at the Frey Hut (1700 m).
We’ll rest and enjoy an excellent home made dinner at the hut. Estimated time: 4 hours.
After having breakfast in the hut the walk begins bordering the Toncek Lagoon. Then we’ll ascend 250 meters to the small Schmol Lagoon. From this point we must keep ascending the ridge of the Catedral Mountain passing by a small flat area. Once on the ridge, we’ll start descending towards the Rucaco Valley by a loose rock terrain. After crossing the Rucaco we will leave the dense vegetation behind in order to reach the edge of the Brecha Negra Mountain. From this point begins a steep descent towards the San Martin Hut next to the Jakob Lagoon. We will have rest and enjoy an excellent home made dinner at the hut. Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours.
On this day we will head down to Colonia Suiza. This place is a small mountain village, where swiss families settled at the foot of Cerro Lopez in the 19th century. This place is famous for its gastronomy: barbacues, empanadas, homemade pastry and the traditional “curanto”. Colonia Suiza (Swiss Colony) is the perfect place to chill out before we continue our adventure to Laguna Negra the next day.
Early in the morning the trek begins by walking along the trail who goes to the Témpanos Lagoon. After ascending 150 meters we must change our way in direction to the Pico Refugio. There are 400 meters of loose rocky terrain that requires some climbing skills. This is the most technical part of the trip. Once we reach the Pico Refugio the route passes through a sharp edge that connects it with the Innocents Mountain, until reaching the edge of the Christmas Mountain. After crossing around its summit we will descend by a canyon which goes into the Christmas Creek. Finally we will connect with the normal route that goes to Laguna Negra. At this point we will ascend 300 meters by the switchbacks until the Italia Hut. We’ll rest and enjoy an excellent home made dinner there. Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours.
The trek starts along the north cost of the lagoon and goes to the path that separates the Black Mountain from Mount Bailey Willis (1800 m). We’ll walk towards the summit of the Bailey Willis crossing it by the west face. Then we’ll descend to the Bailey Willis Valley without losing too much height and we’ll start to climb the southwest slope of Cerro López to reach the trail of the Tourist Peak (2050 m). So we will descend towards the López Hut (1718 m) and from here we will continue for 2 more hours until the López creek where there is the main route back to Bariloche.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
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Mountain Leader
I’m a Physical Education Teacher, Ski Patroller and AAGM- UIMLA Mountain Guide. I was born in S. C. de Bariloche (Patagonia). I started “to play in the mountains” in early age, skiing and exploring trekking trails and the most emblematic shelters around Bariloche.
After graduating I began working in environmental education with children and adults in the Club Andino Bariloche and in an educational NGO dedicated to tourism in natural environments. I worked several years in Europe as a ski patroller, and currently work as a teacher in the Argentinian Ski Patrollers School (EASP). I also worked as avalanche consultor in companies.
I have various certifications, among them: WFR (Wilderness First Responder), Lifeguard Equipie (Andorran Red Cross) and Observer Nivo- Meteo (ACNA "per the Association of neu coneixement I allaus them") and the AIARE Level II (Analyzing snow stability and avalanche Hazard course).
Last years, I’ve been working between ski stations and guiding in big and amazing mountains in Patagonia, Alaska, Bolivia and Peru. I’m a professional outdoor woman and mountain lover who appreciate the opportunity of guide new clients in the surroundings of my home: “Bariloche, in North Patagonia”.
Languages
English
Certificates
AAGM | UIMLA
Sandy
5
A tough but thoroughly rewarding hike. The challenges of the trek are matched by the stunning views, unique flora, and wonderful people you meet along the way.
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