Lopez Refuge Winter Trek with Overnight – Private in Bariloche

The starting point is at the López Stream in Circuito Chico. After a brief safety talk and final adjustments, we will load our backpacks and begin the trekking.

Depending on how much snow has fallen, we will choose the best spot to put on the snowshoes. Several sections will have water, snow, and mud, so you will need waterproof footwear to avoid getting wet and cold. The ideal choice is trekking boots that offer better ankle protection and will keep you drier; if wearing trekking shoes, gaiters and snowshoes will be necessary to prevent getting wet and chilled.

In the first part of the trek, we will pass through a tall forest of Coihue and Cypress trees with a steep slope. Upon arrival, we will find the snow-covered refuge and delight in the beautiful view of Nahuel Huapi Lake.

The first meters will be through a tall Coihue forest where you will hear the incessant flow of the López Stream over the rocky bed. After a few minutes, the slope will increase and we will move away from the stream. The trail will become rocky and snowy, which will slow our pace.

We will cross a large forest with colihue cane on the sides; if we look up, we will spot several waterfalls on our right. With good visibility, we might see the refuge, painted in intense red, standing boldly, waiting for us to reach it. The vegetation will become denser until we reach Parador Roca Negra, a must-stop spot to sit on a log and take some photos of the beautiful view of Nahuel Huapi Lake, before continuing towards López Refuge.

The refuge will welcome us with a magnificent view, and upon entering, we will take off our wet footwear and warm up by the wood stove while enjoying some food or drinks.

If we wish to stay overnight, the refuge offers beds in shared rooms; you only need to bring a good sleeping bag to rest.

From the refuge windows, we will watch the snowy forest while waiting for dinner and experiencing the mountain atmosphere created inside. Whether you choose a day trip or decide to spend the night, the winter experience will be incredible, and you will not be the same person by the end of it.

The refuge is located at 1,620 m a.s.l. The original was built in 1933, destroyed by an avalanche, and the current one was built in 1957.

Are you going to discover the impact of the refuge’s intense red amid the absolute white of winter?