Visit the most famous mountain refuges in Bariloche: Frey and Jakob Huts. A fantastic 3-day trek led by Camila, local AAGM mountain guide!
Andes
3 Days
Jan - May, Sep - Dec
Low
Intermediate
The Frey and Jakob 3-day traverse is one of the most popular mountain treks in Bariloche. During this hike, we'll walk approximately 4-6 hours per day. It will be a really intense adventure but, trust me, it will be a trip of a lifetime!
This hiking adventure allows you to discover all the secret corners of this Patagonian region. You will also have the opportunity to cross native forests, high altitude lagoons as well as the most imposing valleys. And the best part is that we’ll sleep in two of the most classics and cozy mountain huts of Bariloche. The Frey and Jakob refuges!
Our starting point will be at Cerro Catedral, a famous ski resort close to the city of Bariloche. From there, a 4-hour uphill hike awaits. On the way you'll enjoy an amazing lengas trees forest until we are finally at the Frey Hut. Here we'll spend the first night.
The following day we must continue our traverse ascending the ridge of the Catedral Mountain. Then it'll be time to cross the stunning Rucaco Valley to finally reach our second mountain lodge: the Jakob Hut (known as San Martín Hut).
By the third day of adventure, we'll have some hiking time around the San Martín Hut and its nice lagoon. At noon we will descend to Bariloche again.
You can find the complete itinerary at the end of this description.
And if you don't have too much time in the area but want to visit these huts, I can also offer a one-day guided ascent to the Frey Hut. It is a good option for those who don't want leave Bariloche without having visited its best refuge.
Contact me as soon as possible so we can plan your next Frey-Jakob adventure. It'll my pleasure to be your guide!
Departing before midday from the 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, running through a high forest of lengas trees. Then we will 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 the day begins. 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 walking time: 4 hours.
Departure from the Frey Hut ascending to the ridge of the Catedral Mountain. Then we’ll descend across a loose rocky terrain to cross the Rucaco Valley. Finally, we must ascend the Brecha Negra Mountain (2010 m) and descend again towards the San Martín Hut, which is next to the Jakob Lagoon. We will rest and enjoy a excellent home made dinner at the hut. Estimated hiking time: 6-7 hours.
We will hike around the San Martín hut, visiting to the Tempanos Lagoon without backpacks.
At noon we’ll start the descent to Bariloche by the Jakob’s normal route, which goes through the Casa de Piedra Valley.
4.3
(3)
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
Sarah
We had a different guide Mercedes at the last minute as Camilla’s daughter was sick. She was very nice and gave us lots of information. We did an up and back walk to Frey Hut and did not go up the cable car and along the ridge which was the circular planned route. It was raining in the morning which was the reason. The weather cleared as expected. It was a shame that this could not have done the walk the other way round. We are grateful Camilla organised another guide for us so that we were able to hike.
Camila has excellent knowledge of the area and was enjoyable to be with. Lunch was so so.
Sandy
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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