| During
these
last years
trekking
through
natural
trails
has become
the most
popular
sport
and the
one that
has more
fans among
the different
adventure
sports.
A backpack,
a sleeping
bag, good
quality
warm clothes
and a
few more
things
is all
you need
to go
hiking
the trails
and paths
in this
National
Park.
Advice
on the
difficulty
of the
route
is important,
as well
as finding
out about
the weather
conditions
before
you leave
and including
an experienced
member
in the
group
as a guide.
For more
complicated
treks,
whether
they are
on ice
or to
very high
places
it is
always
better
to hire
a mountain
guide.
There
are innumerable
trekking
trails
in this
National
Park,
in general
it is
convinient
to spend
the night
at one
of Club
Andino´s
mountain
shelters.
Supplies
are always
available
at these
shelters
and also
spending
the night
in a very
special
place
are a
good idea.
The
most
popular
treks
are
the
following:
Lake
Gutierrez-
Frey shelter
The
hike
starts
at the
camping
site
by Lake
Gutierrez,
located
at the
end
of a
gravel
road
that
joins
it with
Los
Cohihues
Village.
There
is a
fairly
long
horse
trail
from
the
camping
site.
It is
important
to pay
attention
to the
forks
on the
path.
The
trail
separates
from
the
lake
and
joins
the
old
cart
road
from
Catedral
Ski
centre,
as we
follow
it,
leaving
the
lake
to the
left
we will
find
a sign
which
says
"
Picada
Eslovena",
which
is in
a glade
in the
woods
( the
former
cart
road
got
to this
place).
The
trail
climbs
until
it meets
the
path
to Catedral
Village
( if
you
are
comming
down
you
will
see
two
signs
which
indicate
the
paths
to Lake
Gutierrrez
and
Catedral
Village).
The
average
walking
time
is 5
hours.
Frey
shelter
- Rucaco
Valley-
Jacob
Shelter
Trek
This
is one
of the
most
common
treks
in the
area,
it connects
two
Club
Andino
shelters.
It goes
along
Catedral´s
highest
peaks
and
along
very
steep
slopes,
therefore
you
must
be very
careful
and
seek
advice
at Frey
shelter.
As
you
leave
Frey
shelter,
follow
the
path
along
Toncek
Lagoon,
and
climb
up to
Schmoll
Lagoon
and
the
"football
pitch",
the
Rucaco
Valley
starts
here.
It is
worth
mentioning
that
the
path
is clearly
signalled
and
it is
difficult
to get
lost.Once
in the
valley,
the
trail
goes
into
the
woods.
Vast
marshes
are
crossed
in this
valley
and
as we
head
towards
the
wide
slope
from
Mount
Brecha
Negra
we will
walk
away
from
the
stream
on our
right.
We will
climb
the
northern
ridge
of this
mountain,
and
once
we get
to the
pass
we will
see
Jacob
shelter.We
will
continue
along
a steep
scree,
going
down
towards
the
centre
of the
marsh,
to the
north
of Jacob
Lagoon.
Then
we will
come
upon
a dry
stream
which
crosses
a fringe
of Ñires
( native
bush,
similar
to the
beech
tree)
and
allows
us to
reach
the
shelter
through
a trail
in a
few
minutes.
The
total
length
of this
trek
is approximately
6 hours.
Jacob
Lagoon-
Black
Lagoon
This
trek
is more
complicated
than
the
others,
it requires
certain
climbing
skills
and
the
use
of ropes
or equipment
for
ice
may
be necessary.
The
company
of a
mountain
guide
is advisable,
which
can
be hired
at Jacob
shelter.
From
the
shelter
we head
towards
Los
Tempanos
Lagoon
(icebergs)
and
from
there,
we start
climbing
the
northern
slope
which
takes
us to
the
ridge
behind
Pico
Refugio.
It is
very
important
to study
the
route
before
starting
to climb.
This
is the
most
difficult
part
of the
journey,
it is
quite
dangerous
and
requires
some
climbing
skills.The
main
path
goes
along
the
middle
of the
"wall",
and
it is
possible
to trek
along
the
sides.
As we
reach
the
ridge
we will
have
a beautiful
view
of the
area.
The
direction
is south-north
and
we get
there
through
a pass
between
two
small
rock
towers.The
trail
continues
across
large
screes,
along
the
top
of Mount
Innocentes.
As we
reach
this
second
slope
we will
have
to come
down
a few
metres
towards
Navidad
Lagoon
so as
to reach
later
the
depression
which
precedes
Mount
Navidad.
After
reaching
the
top,
we have
to walk
500
mts.
along
the
ridge
and
we will
get
to the
beginning
of the
canyon
which
will
take
us to
Vivac
Rock,
on the
edge
of the
trail
to Black
Lagoon,
as we
follow
it we
will
get
to Manfredo
Segré
shelter.
This
trip
is approximately
5 or
6 hours.
Black
Lagoon
(
C.A.B
Lagoon
- Blue
Lagoon)-
Lake
Mascardi

This
is a
two
day
journey
through
areas
where
there
are
very
few
trails.
As we
leave
the
Black
Lagoon
shelter,
we walk
along
the
northern
shore
of the
lagoon
and
climb
to the
depression
located
to the
north
of Mount
Negro.
From
the
depression
we must
walk
very
gently
towards
the
upper
part
of the
valley,
to an
tributary
of Lluvuco
Stream,
which
we have
to follow
until
we reach
the
valley´s
main
stream.
After
crossing
the
stream
we start
a steep
climb,
through
colihue
canes
(bamboo
canes)
and
a wood
until
we get
to C.A.B.
Lagoon.
We have
to walk
about
100
mts.
along
the
shore
covered
with
"Ñires",
and
then
turn
upwards,
trying
to reach
the
screes
which
are
higher
up with
the
help
of some
dry
stream.
From
the
ridge,
we climb
Mount
C.A.B.
and
then
we come
down
again
to the
"
Mallin
de las
Vueltas"
(a marsh).
This
can
be a
good
camping
site.
The
length
of this
journey
is 10
hours.
The
second
day
we leave
from
the
marsh
and
we climb
straight
ahead
towards
a diversion
which
comes
from
Mount
Bonete.
Once
we have
reached
the
main
ridge,
we come
down
along
the
opposite
slope
towards
Cretton
Lagoon´s
drain.
From
the
back
of the
Cretton
Lagoon,
along
a gentle
slope,
we will
reach
the
ridge
which
surrounds
the
Blue
Lagoon
to the
East.
From
here,
we have
to come
down
the
slope
towards
the
lagoon´s
drain.
We have
to descend
through
the
valley,
always
to the
left
of the
Blue
Stream,
along
the
trail
which
goes
towards
the
River
Manso,
which
is crossed
at the
hanging
bridge,
about
2 kms.
before
the
river
mouth.
The
length
of the
journey
is 8
hours.
Low
Impact.
How
to
use
the
trails.
-
Trekking
parties
should
be
small,
large
groups
produce
a
higher
impact
than
many
small
ones
separated
from
one
another.
-
Walk
in
line
without
leaving
the
trail,
if
hikers
are
scattered
and
walk
along
the
edge
of
the
trail,
the
erosion
is
greater.
-
Avoid
walking
across
marshes.
When
the
soil
is
soaking
it
is
more
likely
to
be
deteriorated.
-
Do
not
walk
with
pets,
such
as
dogs
or
cats.These
may
alter
the
native
fauna.
-
Keep
noises
low.
Strange
noises
may
alter
the
behaviour
of
the
fauna
and
deteriorate
the
quality
of
the
experience
in
nature.
-
Do
not
take
steep
short
cuts.
Walking
down
steep
slopes
produces
greater
erosion
than
walking
down
gentle
slopes.
-
Do
not
rest
on
the
trail
or
in
places
where
there
is
a
lot
of
vegetation.
This
obliges
other
hikers
to
divert
their
way.
Camping
sites
and
rules.
-
Camping
is
allowed
only
in
camp
sites
and
places
where
people
usually
camp,
so
as
to
reduce
the
impact.
-
Try
to
camp
in
places
where
there
is
little
vegetation.
-
Never
camp
in
places
which
are
not
normally
used
for
this
purpose.
-
Try
to
use
a
water
heater
instead
of
making
fire.
-
Choose
a
place
which
is
big
enough
for
the
group.
-
Do
not
build
structures
of
any
kind.
-
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