This hike is perfect for exploring the mountains in the Bariloche area in 1 or 2 days.
The trek starts at the base of Cerro Catedral, which is 15 km from city centre San Carlos de Bariloche. It's a total of 20 km long, between the ascent and descent, with 800 m of accumulated positive elevation gain.
We'll start by walking through a mixed forest, gaining very little altitude, while we warm up, crossing streams of crystal clear water. Little by little, you'll start to enjoy views of Lake Gutierrez and the beautiful mountains that surround it from above. After a while, you'll start walking through the valley of the Van-Titter stream, inside the high Lengas forest. As you gain a little more altitude, you'll arrive at the Slovenian refuge “Piedritas,” where you can take a good rest. Then we have the final stage of the route, which ascends through a forest of increasingly stunted lengas until we reach the Emilio Frey refuge. It's located on the shores of the Tonchek lagoon, in an incredible glacier-sculpted cirque surrounded by granite needles. If you're lucky and have a good eye, you'll spot climbers enjoying the rock's quality.
If you wish, you can spend the night at the refuge, enjoying a delicious dinner and a rest after a beautiful sunset and a night under the stars. On the other hand, if you want to head back to town, you can make the descent that same day, arriving in Bariloche in the afternoon.
We highly recommend spending the night in the mountains, as you'll have more time to enjoy it and take short walks around the refuge area. It's also a great option to combine trekking activities for several days in the area (ask about similar activities).