Refugio Frey is a popular day hike or overnight destination near the summit of Cerro Catedral, which is on the outskirts of the community of Bariloche inside Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. Birds and other wildlife can be spotted in the area, and towering pines provide shade for part of the way. The route to the refuge also serves as a gateway to the larger network of trails inside the park, which includes additional refuges deeper into the mountains. It is no wonder that tourists from other parts of Argentina and around the world choose to join the locals that regularly hike up to Refugio Frey and back and part of their visit.
Before starting the trail, hikers must complete a free registration form online. It is possible to stay inside the refuge, or camp on the adjacent slope, but these options require a separate booking. There is also a small kitchen inside the refuge: check with the operators to ensure that service will be available. It is important to inspect the trail conditions through the park website, since snow and other adverse weather conditions may trigger closures.
From the massive parking lot near the base of the ski lifts in Villa Catedral, the large wooden sign for Refugio Frey is visible to the west. The sign is on the opposite side of a wide gravel road, near a warehouse that stores maintenance vehicles for the local ski slopes. Face the sign and turn left to follow the gravel road uphill. Trail markers guide hikers through the intersections for the first 400 meters of the route, and then the path is easy to follow.
The initial 5 kilometers of this trail proceed south and feature several views of Lago Gutierrez. Small metal bridges cross streams created by ice melting at higher elevations, although winter can see these water sources freeze. The path curves to the right and gets progressively steeper for the rest of the climb. Along the way, hikers pass Refugio Petricek (Piedritas), which is tucked under a boulder on the right side of the trail. Refugio Frey is 2 kilometers farther up the mountain. It stands near the edge of Laguna Toncek, which is surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Southern Andes.
The website for Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi can be found at the following link, along with the tab to submit a trekking registration (registro de trekking) form: https://nahuelhuapi.gov.ar/refugio-frey-desde-villa-catedral/
To make a reservation at Refugio Frey, visit https://refugiofreybariloche.com/
