Cambios

The second choice were unused or rarely traveled '''Minor and Two-Track Roads (MR)'''. Such minor roads typically provide access to isolated settlements or villages without attracting any transit traffic. Until recently some of these villages could only be reached on horse or by food. Regional governments try to improve the living conditions in these remote settlments by upgrading the traditional horse trails into minor dirt roads. This might be sad for hikers but since we are only guests we have no reason to compain. Other routes that are categorized as minor roads are simple two-track roads that were created by locals by simply driving their all terrain vehicles to their homes and outposts without building a proper road. Also forest and logging roads are put in this category of minor roads. Some of these minor roads became neglected and are not maintained anymore and became impassable for vehicles. But hikers can still use such deteriorated roads if they don't mind to climb over fallen trees and seek their way through washed out parts. Many hiking trails in Europe would fall in this category of minor roads since a good part of the hiking trails in Europe are occasionally used by forestry and agricultural vehicles.

In some areas the Greater Patagonian Trail crosses through open terrain without a visible trail. Some of these '''Cross Country (CC)''' routes lead through steep and exposed terrain above the tree line but do not require technical climbing. These cross country routes often belong to the finest parts of the Greater Patagonian Trail because they provide access into barely visited areas high up in the Patagonian Andes with wide views. In this cross country terrain hikers should seek their own way following the approximate GPS track without feeling too bound to itthe GPS track.

The cross country routes do not pass very dense vegetation. Only on a few short streches you need to hike through overgrown terrain and do some '''Bush Bashing (BB)'''. In some parts this cannot be avoided because old unused trails became overgrown or simply no trail was ever made. For someone that is used to hike fast and efficient this might be frustating but patient hikers will find their way step by step even in this challanging terrain. A machete is normally not required to cross this terrain but if you carry one you might use it occasinally to cut some thorny branches and twigs.