Refugio López (direct)
✓ Verified against the agency · APNThe most popular day hike in Bariloche. Steep climb through lenga forest from the Arroyo López trailhead on the Circuito Chico road to Refugio López (1,620m). Optional push to the Cerro López summit (2,076m) for panoramic views of Nahuel Huapi, Tronador, and the entire lake district.
Safety classification
Most accessible Jan–Mar (no snow, no special gear). Between July and December there may be lots of snow — the agency page recommends it then only for very experienced parties with winter gear. Hut staffed in the summer season.
- ▲Steep, heavily eroded tread — sturdy footwear needed, a pole is very handy
- ▲Creek crossings on the approach
- ▲Above the hut to Pico Turista: lots of loose rock and a fair amount of scrambling
- ▲Snow Jul–Dec turns it into an experienced-parties-only outing
- ▲~3 h relentless ascent (4 km to the hut; 5.8 km / ~1,260 m total with Pico Turista)
Direct CAB trail from the Arroyo López trailhead (CAB grade: Moderate in season). APN registro de trekking mandatory and free before departure. The Pico Turista extension is a harder, looser objective than the hut walk — decide at the hut, not at the car.