Backpacking across Nahuel Huapi National Park

The afternoon before departure we’ll have a meeting to check equipment and talk about the expedition and logistics.

Using a well marked trail we will follow the Goye river until we are at Laguna Negra. We will be hiking along a beautiful evergreen forest with wildflowers and the roar of the river crystal waters. This trail gets a lot of use by hikers that ascend just to Laguna Negra Mountain Hut. Then, we will set up camp close to the hut by the shore of the lagoon.

After a good breakfast, the first challenge is to make our way around Laguna Negra. Before descending to Arroyo la Chata, we will take a moment to enjoy the view of Mount Tronador and the soaring summits. Then, we’ll descend to the dense forest and cross the creek. Arroyo La Chata is a good place for lunch and a well deserved break. In the afternoon the trek continues climbing towards Laguna CAB. Camp by the lagoon and take a swim at its shallow bays.

This is the longest day, it begins by climbing CAB mountain and traversing towards Mallin Mate Dulce. There, a wide open meadow is great for a lunch stop. The second leg of the day climbs the ridge line of Cerro Cristales, another astonishing view from where we will be able to see the next campsite, Laguna Creton. Surrounded by granite walls and big boulder fields, we will camp on a completely different environment.

Wake up by the alpine glow lights, have breakfast, pack camp and get ready for the most scenic part of the trek. Hiking above Laguna Azul (Callvu) gives us a magnificent perspective, followed by another alpine treasure, Laguna Jujuy. Lunch break will take place at the top of Cerro Capitan ridge. Here Condors flying close by are often seen. From this point the remain of the day is all downhill hiking across open meadows before entering the tall Lenga forest by Laguna Ilon. This last alpine lagoon reflects Tronador glaciers creating a peculiar scenery during the sunset.

Everything has an end and this is your last day so we will add a morning hike to another view point before starting the descend to Pampa Linda where the traverse finishes. Mirada del Doctor panoramic point offers amazing granite walls and a view to Laguna Frey down valley. After lunch, we will begin the descent across a wide valley with open meadows. Then reaching a stead down climb to the valley bed where we will cross Castaño Overa creek. Finally we will end the traverse at Pampa Linda. Now it’s time to loosen your boots and enjoy a well deserved cold beer!