Cambios

When planning the Greater Patagonian Trail the first choice were the '''hiking or horse trails ''' that traverse the remote valleys and mountain passes in the heart of the Andes close to the border between Chile and Argentina. Most of these trails are created and maintained by local herdsmen to drive animals to their summer pastures.

The second choice were unused or rarely travelled '''minor dirt roads'''. Such often neglected roads typically provide access to isolated settlements or villages without atracting any transit traffic. Some of these roads are not maintained anymore and not accessible by vehicle but passable for hikers. Most hiking trails in Europe would fall in this category since the majortiy of hiking trails in Europe are occasinally used by forestry and agricultureal vehicles.

In some areas the Greater Patagonian Trail crosses through open terrain without a visible trail. Some of these '''cross-country parts routes''' lead through steep and exposed terrain but do not require technical climbing. The cross-country routes parts also do not pass very dense vegetation and can be hiked without a machete to cut a trail. Valdivian and Magellanic temperate rainforests is very dense and is not suitable for hiking cross-country.

Public roads with transit traffic were avoided wherever possible. On such '''major dirt roads''' you may find some moderate traffic but they are safe to hike.  '''Paved roads ''' were the last choice of all.