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==Season 2025/26==
* '''2026-01-10 to 2026-01-12 / 3 Days / Hiking / SOBO / 02 + RR + E + F / Michel & Lisa'''
'''Note''': Option E is no longer passable since the land owner doesn't allow people to go through the land. If you want to go down from the ridge to the valley you'll have to use the now official trail that goes further west (visible on OSM maps).
Day 1
We took one of the 8:00 buses from Coyhaique towards Villa Cerro Castillo from the bus terminal and were dropped off at Las Horquetas at about 9:30. Had breakfast, lost a nice titanium spork in the process and started hiking at 10:00. The beginning is all MR but quite nice. There were quite a few river crossings after the first few km, depending on your preferences you might opt to hike in your water shoes if you carry any (we chose not to but in hindsight it may have been less rhythm-breaking to do so). Anyhow, the path is very clear and at some point develops into more of a trail. Plenty of water along the way, no need to carry much. At least at this time of year. We hiked to the first camping Río Turbio ([-46.00821, -72.10414]) which had quite a few tents but didn't feel crowded. Mice could be seen running around, we hung all our food just to be sure. We did the hike to the Lagoon (Glaciar Peñon; Option E), which took 45 min to get to the lagoon (we didn't go further and hiked quite fast). Very pretty up there, worth the extra trip if you have the time/energy.
Day 2
Started hiking at 9:00, starting through the forest and up the pass where there was luckily hardly any wind but still some hard snowfields. We took a break shortly after the pass but in hindsight should've continued to about here: [-46.04032, -72.13635] because there you get a great view over the valley beneath.
We continued to the next camping El Bosque. It's very sheltered but also kinda dark here, even though the river is close. Traces of mice here too, which is unfortunate but as expected; we hung all our food again). Thanks to the people who suggested to hike to the end of the camp (coming from the east). It's a great tip if you prefer some privacy, since most hikers just stop at the sight of the first campsites. But if you continue 100 m after the start of the campsite (coming from the east) you'll get to a smaller second section where you'll be more to yourself. We hiked to the small lagoon (trail indicated on OSM) which is well worth the trip. Only about 20 min hiking and it's amazing up there - great views of the remnants of the glacier, the mountains and the lagoon. We even went for a swim (yes, brrrr, but we brought food and our stove to make tea afterwards B-) ). We agree that this could/should be a GPT option, but of course people will find it on the OSM maps anyways.
Day 3
We started at 9:30 and got up to the viewpoint of Cerro Castillo quite soon though we took many breaks to take pictures - including some of baby geese (what are they doing up there?? Haha). The views from up there are great, making up for the fact that you have to share your space with day hikers who come from the village.
Then came the long, crowded, dusty descent. The ground is composed of very fine dust in many places that is stirred by everyone who walks on it and dispersed by the wind. Afterwards, I could pour it out of my shoes. Get ready to clean your stuff. ;-) We wanted to take Variant F to descend to the village which is much faster than the official route which goes further west (which means you have to backtrack on the MR down in the valley - not a good deal we thought). However, there is a little wall of stones blocking it, indicating that this trail is no longer used. We told each other that we didn't see it and continued on the trail. It is very easy to follow and in the upper parts also very sandy. Lots of feline footprints on the path, a puma maybe?
At some point further down in the valley there were some laminated sheets of paper announcing that this was not an official trail to enter PN Cerro Castillo and that anyone using it would be turned around in 5 km at some station. However, we hadn't encountered anyone on the trail, though we did see something that looked like a puesto no longer used. We continued on the trail and found the way out through a private property that had some "no trespassing" signs and we had to climb a locked gate. It seems someone was tired of all the foot traffic through their private land or something. So we think options F and G should be deleted from the GPT tracks since they seemingly cross private land where the land owners don't want people to go. A new option should follow the official trail (visible on OSM) that turns south here: [-46.08724, -72.17281].
'''2026-01-08 to 2026-01-10 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / 2 + RR + F / Chris & Lotte'''
Pretty route, a bit touristic. Hoards of mice. Currently visibly dryer than usual.
Day 1: took a bus from Opec station (buses lucas) at 7:45 to ibanez and exited at las horquettas. followed the official Las Horquetas trail. Campsites look nice, full of mice. We camped at shortly before Laguna Glaciar Penon. No mice presence visible in this rocky terrain. Water is plenty.
Day 2: Continued back to and along RR. Water plenty. Shortly before Camp 50.5 we drank some water. Lotte seemingly got food poisoning... shortly after she vomited and was dizzy. We set up camp in 50.5, next day all good.
The stream we took from didnt look bad, in hindsight we'd still choose to drink from it, there were no obvious no-no's we ignored. My stomach was fine. Use this info for your personal decision.
Very pretty view and nicely sheltered from the wind.
Day3: chose easier Variant F to not have to hitchhike to cerro castillo. Not as mice-y day, but quite touristy. This seems to partially be flooded by day tourists. Although the variant leaves that into a deserted trail, leading through private property and skipping the toll.
ATM in cerro castillo is out if order.
ATM in Balmaceda (suprisingly good rate) works. No gas in Balmaceda though!
Mice: they are frequently present. Last week was a confirmed case of hunter virus in the region Cerro Castillo, five in the "bigger region".
We saw at least five dead mice on the trail. Precautions should be taken seriously.
'''2026-01-05 to 2026-01-07/ 3 days/ Hiking/ SOBO/ Option 2, Variant E/ RR/ Option 3/ RR/ Greg Carter'''
Day 1
I started from Villa Cerro Castillo(Nordic Patagonia has a nice campground, cost CLP 10,000 pp: -46.12121, -72.15896), and took a local bus to Las Horquetas for CLP 8,000. There was an unmanned Ranger station with a book for voluntary registration, which I completed. I was going to camp at Rio Turbio/ Segundo camping, but I arrived early afternoon and the tábanos were oppressive, so I kept hiking.
(Generally in the forest, throughout the hike the tábanos were bad, so I recommend you bring a headnet, and be prepared to swat/ kill a lot of them.)
Day 2
Upon reaching Camping El Bosque I took the side trail west (OSM), up to the laguna/ glacier viewpoint, which was well worthwhile.I recommend that this become a new variant.
Before going up I stashed my backpack off the trail. On returning I found that mice had eaten through the mesh of a side pocket to try to get into a plastic jar of peanut butter. A big reminder to hang all food around GPT32!