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ediciones
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sin resumen de edición
- GPT09 Regular Route: Based on route verifications and recommendations from the previous season I rerouted the Regular Route onto the ridge (previously Option 3). This reduces road walking and the ridge route is without doubt more scenic. In instable or poor weather best stay in the valley (now Option 4, was regular route till season 2024/25).
==Season 2025/26==
'''2026-Feb-8 to 2026-Feb-9 / 1 day / Hiking / SOBO / RR, OH-4, Variant E, RR / Emily'''
Attempt 2! I combined GPT8 and 9, from Termas de Chillan to Trapa Trapa. I joined GPT9 at ~29.2km (intersection with 08-04) at midday of Day 4 (4.5 days total).
Beautiful views of Sierra Velluda and Volcan Antuco along Rio de los Pinos. The ridge was both a highlight and challenge. Attractiveness - 4/5, Difficulty - 3/5.
Camp: -37.66043, -71.24357. Between RR and Variant F. Slightly sloped, easy pitch in sand/dirt. No water. Somewhat protected by bushes, though it’s still quite an exposed spot. Lots of ants.
* At the ford of Rio de los Pinos (unmarked, ~33.5km) there is a metal plank/bridge just upstream of the gpx. There’s also an unmarked puesto here. On the southern bank among the trees is a possible camp - a fami was set up here with several tents among the trees.
* Couldn’t see the spring mentioned by earlier reports at RR/Var E intersection. Last water was a very small spring running down the trail approx 2km up Var E. Low flow, but clear and collectable. Better stream at the start of Var E. Next water I found was coming down the ridge at -37.69682, -71.25398.
* I found the RR ridge to be challenging between the intersection with Variant E until -37.65027, -71.24515; very slow going. After this, a more defined trail appears and it’s much easier walking.
* As noted by Kris and Stiina, there’s now a fence along the RR just before coming into Trapa Trapa. There was another fence/gate at the end of the corridor they described, so I climbed back up along the fence to connect with the OSM trail to the east of the property. The OSM trail seemed more defined and is likely an easier way up to connect with the RR.
* Along the road of Option 4 I ran into a local who cautioned me about walking solo through indigenous lands without community permission (around GPT9/10). I explained the GPT, that right-of-way issues were shared among hikers, and how I recognised the importance of respecting communities/seeking permission, etc. He reinforced that individual landholder perspectives may differ from communities, and that while people were very kind, I should be careful. All information that’s reflected in the manual - but a good reminder all the same to be respectful when passing through these sections.
Transport: I arrived in Trapa Trapa early on a Monday morning. Road was very quiet, but I was able to hitch after 15-30mins to Alto Bio Bio/Ralco. From there I caught a bus to Los Angeles for 4.000clp; the lady at the Visitor’s Centre was helpful in advising schedules and costs.
'''2026-Jan-27 to 2026-Jan-28 / 1.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR, OH-1A, OH-2, Variant C / Emily'''
I hiked a portion of GPT9 to ~35.5km before returning to Abanico due to injury. Some points of note
* I spoke to the rangers at the park entry (-37.39823, -71.43959). They advised that the park trails (including Sierra Velluda, RR) would reopen on 29/1, following closures for fire risk. They were also able to call other CONAF rangers to confirm the status of the fire near Trapa Trapa; as of 27/1, it was okay to pass. They scanned my ticket here which I purchased beforehand (6.000clp), though I got the impression they wouldn’t have asked if I hadn’t brought it up. Wifi available.
* I took OH-1A and OH-2 given the Sierra Velluda closure. I didn’t find these particularly enjoyable - very exposed and dusty. OH-2 had no shade or water besides the lake, which has quite a bit of sediment. The viewpoint at 09-02 [9.1/1409] is nice, but there’s no refuge as marked. I had no luck hitching SOBO.
* I camped at -37.343218, -71.799532, across the river along the RR around ~29.5km. Flat, not sheltered but somewhat protected by the gully. In the morning I cut across to the dirt track on the OSM to connect with Variant C.
* I was able to hitch in the morning NOBO to Antuco with a local freight driver - super friendly, he noted he’s met several GPT hikers over the years. He recommended Camping Llano Verde on the outskirts of town but I couldn’t find it; I continued to Camping Rucue via bus.
''' GPT09 | 2026-01-12 to 2026-01-13 I 1,5 days | hiking | SOBO I Route: Option 2 - Variant C - RR - Variant D - Option 4 | Michaela '''
Day 1: The weather forecast was not good, possibly thunderstorms, so I avoided mountain passes and ridges and chose a lower route. I hitchhiked from Antuco to Canchas de Esquí. CONAF did not check for a national park entry ticket (I was in a car with four workers). Option 2 offered nice views of Lake Laja. Later, another car gave me a lift for a few kilometers. I camped here: -37.654333, -71.232337, a grassy area with water 200 m away.
Day 2: My tent was frozen in the morning. Around midday, I arrived in Trapa Trapa. I bought some snacks at the new shop: -37.718333, -71.246 and continued with GPT10.
Attraction: 3/5, Difficulty: 1/5
'''GPT09/ 2026 Jan 13-14/ NOBO / RR, variant E, oh 4, RR/ 2 days/ hiking /Bailey Illiana'''
General information
The new reroute on the RR was incredibly beautiful but so is the old RR in the valley, we did half/ half
Day 1
Left Trapa Trapa too late after sleeping in. Which I wouldn't recommend if you are tackling the RR ridge route
Unmarked water source here -37.697075, -71.253968. this was clear and good water
Hiking along the ridge was slow going but incredible
Came across a fire at the intersection of variant E and RR. Decided to come off the ridge to option 3 to notify someone. At this intersection there was puddles of water and good camping. Here -37.637361, -71.256673
Walking down variant E was easy. Unmarked water here -37.612036, -71.249467
Camp 1 unmarked campground here -37.576184, -71.241448. with water, benches and chairs. Sheltered in the trees. I slept on this shelf
Day 2
Illiana and I separated, as she was having issues with her feet. She hitched from the road to los Angeles
I continued along the RR, came across two other GPT hikers Kathrin and Matthias
It was extremely windy hiking over the pass. Made it to the road and got picked up straight away. Reunited with Illiana and the family who adopted her. We took them out to dinner in los Angeles to thank them for helping us. It was there first time picking up hitch hikers
Looking to wrap things up on the GPT soon. Finish with GPT6,5,4 and 2
'''2025-12-26 to 2025-12-27 / 2x 0.5 Days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + Option 04 / Martin Ankel'''
I pitched my tent in the schoolyard, made a contribution to their cause and fell asleep at midnight after a long day of partying. Not the best cure against sickness but opportunities like these do not come around often. Anyways, continued on GPT 10 in the morning and probably more, that is yet to be seen.
''' GPT09/2025-12-17 to 2025-12-19/ 2,5 days/ SOBO/RR/option 1/RR/ Denis and Robert '''
Before leaving Abanico we stoped in Roca Cafe. The owner was really nice he is outdoor lover. Besides cafe he offers Refugios for 27 000 pesos with hot tub. Dinner or lunch possible for 6 000 pesos.
We didn’t pay anything, at the gate to National Park young guy asked for a plan we told him that we want to sleep in pas between Antuco and Sierra Velluda, and possibly climb Antico next morning. On google translator he wrote us that we don’t need to pay because we are just going through and not spending night in NP area.
Difficulty 3,5/5
Attractiveness 4/5
''' Dec 19th 2025 – Dec 23th 2025 / 4.5 days (including 1 rest day) / NOBO / Option 4, Variant D, RR, Variant B, RR / Matt&Linda '''
Day 1: from what I read in the logs it seems like Option 4 used to be the RR, the new RR has a longer and steeper climb starting from Trapa Trapa and there weren’t any campsites marked for the first 25km. With a late start in Trapa Trapa and bad weather coming in the following day we decided to take Option 4. The ascent along the river in the cool of the afternoon was quite nice, easy path. We met a lot of Pehuenche and arrieros coming down from the pass. We said our hellos but no one stopped long enough to talk. The pass and the high, open valley that followed was so beautiful. I was sad we had to rush through it a little. We camped at a closed puesto (Camp 09-04 [9.5/1709]).
Day 2: we started early to beat the rain. Stopped for breakfast at a nice site that isn’t in the GPS files with wooden benches and tables a couple of meters off the trail (S 37°34.568, W71° 14.489), could be a nice campsite?! The path was very comfortable to hike and we enjoyed the valley. The fords were no problem for us, could do most of them with dry feet. There is a little metal bridge right by a puesto to cross the Rio de los Pinos here: S 37° 31.047, W 71° 15.071. Closer to Laguna de la Laja we finally got our feet wet but the water only went up to our knees. We set up our camp on the riverbank, trying to find a sheltered spot for 1.5 days of rain. Found a good spot and build a little fire pit here: S37° 29.090, W71° 16.148
Day 5: we hiked the last couple of km down to the park ranger on good and well marked trails in the morning. The trail ends before the office, as far as we could tell. There was no one around who asked us for a permit or a fee. We hitchhiked into Antuco without a problem. Due to tendon issues we had to make the call to end our adventures on the GPT for now. A big thanks to Jan Dudeck, David Brophy and all the others who contributed to making the GPT happen for so many people!
Final note: We hadn’t planned to be in town for Christmas and found last minute accommodations with an unbelievably open and welcoming family in Huépil. It took us about 2 hours to reach it by bus (Antuco – Canteras – Huépil, 4000cp total). It is probably too far from the trailhead if you only want to stay the night but we can highly recommend “El mercadito de Pamela” if you want to be pampered with good and abundant local food by a lovely family. We couldn’t believe our luck to be asked to join the Christmas feast and be part of preparing “Chivo al Palo” with Pamela and her family.
Difficulty: 2/5
Attractiveness: 5/5
==Season 2024/25==
