Cerro Castillo Circuit – a 2022 trekking information

Cerro Castillo Circuit is a 50 km trek by way of Cerro Castillo Nationwide Park, among the best Patagonia Nationwide Parks for mountaineering. The surroundings on the trek is beautiful; indigenous forest, hanging glaciers, mountain rivers, snow peaks, turquoise blue lakes, bizarrely formed mountains – untouched nature mixed with unpredictable Patagonian climate.

There are totally different routes in Cerro Castillo you’ll be able to discover in a single to 4 days. In comparison with another long-distance treks in Patagonia e.g. treks in El Chalten or backpacking within the well-known Torres del Paine, Cerro Castillo is an off-the-beaten-path trek however it isn’t as wild because the O’Higgins Glacier hike.

Cerro Castillo trek overview

• Complete distance – 51 km/31,6 miles
• Days required – 3 to 4, we’d suggest 4 with a purpose to have extra time to benefit from the surroundings however if you happen to’re quick on time you’ll be able to positively push it to three days.
• Start line – Valle de la Lima, Ruta 7.
• Ending level – Cerro Castillo village.
• Common altitude – 1000m.
• Highest factors – Cerro Castillo cross – 1600m and Portezuelo Peñon cross – 1435m.
• Permits – no particular permits or information required, entrance payment – CLP 29 000/US$33 is paid on the gate.

Steered excursions and actions in Patagonia

Cerro Castillo climate

Summer season (December to March) – is the perfect time for mountaineering in Patagonia generally; good and heat in the course of the day (it hardly ever will get scorching), days are lengthy (you might have daylight until 9pm) although it rains rather a lot in Patagonia any season be ready to expertise some rainfalls. We hiked in February and generally, have been very fortunate with the climate on this hike, not a single drop in 4 days.

In winter (June to August); evening temperatures go right down to -2°C and under, and days are chilly and quick, it’s very doubtless you’ll encounter snow on the trek. April and September are the months with probably the most rain in all probability the worst time for mountaineering. March, October, and November are fairly chilly although the temperature even at evening stays above 0°C and it doesn’t rain an excessive amount of. 

Cerro Castillo trek

There are no retailers or eating places inside Cerro Castillo Nationwide Park you should be self-sufficient and convey all of the gear and meals with you.

Some vacationers take into account the Cerro Castillo trek as a great (much less crowded) various to the W trek in Torres del Paine.

There are 5 designated campsites with primary services within the reserve the place you’re allowed to camp, wild tenting is just not allowed.

Ingesting water will be discovered all over the place (faucets, rivers, lakes, falls), it’s good high quality and drinkable. We didn’t use any purification tablets or a UV filter right here. 

Patagonian climate is unpredictable; sturdy winds and heavy rains are fairly frequent ensure that your gear is true.

The route is marked fairly properly all the best way, the one time we have been not sure about it was initially of the second day.

For those who hike in summer season, particularly within the months of December and January deliver insect repellent there is likely to be many tabanos (horseflies) in Patagonia this time of the 12 months, they’re extraordinarily annoying.

Not many individuals in Patagonia converse English some primary Spanish information might be useful.

In peak season; January-February there are many individuals touring the Carretera Austral – a highway by way of Patagonia, generally it’s troublesome to get on a bus usually they’re full. Hitchhiking within the space may be very common and protected, locals and vacationers cease rather a lot to select up vacationers. We hitched to Cerro Castillo from Pumalin Park and it labored out nice.

How we rank Cerro Castillo trek

• Issue degree – 3 out of 5, there are two steep ascents and descents on the best way.
• Surroundings – 4 out of 5, pine forest, lakes, glaciers, rivers – fairly spectacular panorama. 
• Touristy – 2 out of 5, we hiked in February which continues to be excessive season however there weren’t many individuals, principally Chileans, and only a few foreigners – nothing in comparison with some hikes in Torres del Paine.

Cerro Castillo vs Torres del Paine

If you need to select between visiting Carro Castillo or Torres del Paine Nationwide Parks I might suggest the second. We’ve been to each parks and loved mountaineering there however for me, the surroundings in Torres del Paine is way extra spectacular than in Cerro Castillo. The sights of Torres del Paine embrace a number of the important Patagonia highlights resembling Gray Glacier, Mirador Las Torres, Nordenjkold Lake, Mirador Frances, and Pehoe Lake. The surroundings in Cerro Castillo is gorgeous with the Mirador Cerro Castillo being the principle spotlight however I wouldn’t select it over Torres del Paine.

The primary benefit of Cerro Castillo is that it’s simpler to rearrange the hike. Not like in Torres del Paine, you don’t must e book campsites prematurely to be allowed to enter the park. It’s attainable to do the Cerro Castillo trek final minute with out an excessive amount of planning. It’s cheaper to hike in Cerro Castillo than in Torres del Paine as a result of the doorway payment contains tenting. In Torres del Paine you pay the doorway payment + tenting payment.

Journey insurance coverage for the circuit

Cerro Castillo is just not a high-altitude or harmful hike however some elements of the route undergo distant and difficult-to-access areas of the Pure reserve. Mountaineering like several outside exercise includes dangers of getting an harm, dropping or breaking gear, and different sudden conditions. It’s all the time advisable to have insurance coverage when touring. Be correctly coated for harm, evacuation, gear loss, journey cancellations, or delays.

Out of a number of insurance coverage firms, we suggest World Nomads, they work everywhere in the world and concentrate on outside actions like mountaineering. A wonderful thing about World Nomads is which you could purchase an insurance coverage coverage on-line whereas touring, it takes solely a few minutes. Their coverage may be very versatile it could possibly cowl the entire interval of your journey or solely the mountaineering a part of it, even when it’s just one or two days. Get a quote proper now!

Observe! All the time ensure you rigorously learn the Phrases and Circumstances half.

Can Cerro Castillo trek be walked in both route?

Sure, you can begin at Estero Prada Entrance (Villa Cerro Castillo) and stroll from west to east or begin at Las Horquetas Entrance and stroll east to west. Whichever route you stroll the itinerary and distances are the identical.

Cerro Castillo Nationwide Park entrances

• Estero Prada Entrance (the beginning of the circuit if you happen to stroll within the west-east route) – from 7 am to 4 pm for hikers, from 7 am to 1 pm for day guests.
• Entrance to Mirador Cerro Castillo (day hike) – from 7 am to 12 pm
• Entrance Las Horquetas (the beginning of the circuit, east-west route) – from 7 am to 1 pm.

Cerro Castillo trek price

• Transport – CLP 9000/US$10 bus
• Procuring (meals, gasoline) – CLP 9000/US$10
• Lodging + entrance payment –  it was separate and actually no person charged for tenting on the path however it has modified. Now if you happen to do a multi-day hike you pay CLP 29 500/US$33 which contains the entrance payment and in a single day tenting within the park. For extra particulars on value examine the official web site.

Complete: CLP 47 000/US$53

Distances on the circuit

• Las Horquetas – campsite Río Turbio – 15 km/9,3 miles
• Rio Turbio – campsite Estero del Bosque – 12 km/7,4 miles
• El Bosque – campsite Neozelandes – 11 km/6,8 miles
• Neozelandés – Cerro Castillo village – 13 km/8 miles

Campsites on the route

Río Turbio, Day 1

Services

• Bathroom – sure
• Working water – sure
• Tables, benches – sure

Estero del Bosque, Day 2 (moved 1 km on following the path in 2022)

Services

• Bathroom – sure
• Working water – sure
• Tables, benches – sure

La Tetera, Day 2 (closed in 2022)

Services

• Bathroom – sure
• Working water – sure
• Tables, benches – no

Porteadores, Day 3

Services

• Bathroom – sure
• Working water – sure
• Tables, benches – no

Neozelandes, Day 3

Services

• Bathroom – sure
• Working water – sure
• Tables, benches – sure

Tips on how to get to Cerro Castillo?

Cerro Castillo Nationwide park is about 75km from Coyhaique, the capital of the area. To get there you’ll be able to catch a every day bus from the Coyhaique terminal, it leaves between 9.00-9.30am for CLP 9000/US$10. The hike begins at Las Horquetas, about 30km earlier than (if you happen to drive from Coyhaique) Villa Cerro Castillo. For those who go by bus simply ask a bus driver to cease there, if you happen to hitch ask the identical.

To get to Las Horquetas entrance from Villa Cerro Castillo you may get on a bus to Coyhaique that leaves at 7 am and get off at Las Horquetas.

We had some further baggage and didn’t need to stroll for 4 days with two backpacks every so we needed to go first to Villa Cerro Castillo and ask to retailer our further luggage in one of many campsites (without spending a dime), we promised to remain there after we’re again. You are able to do the identical and both begin strolling from Villa Cerro Castillo to Las Horquetas or catch a journey from the city to Las Horquetas. 

As an possibility you’ll be able to hitchhike, relying in your luck and the way many individuals are on the route, you’ll be able to wait for a very long time or get a journey in quarter-hour.

Cerro Castillo trek – a 4-day itinerary

Day 1. Las Horquetas – Campamento Río Turbio, 15 km/9,3 mi

Trek begins at Las Horquetas a flip from Carretera Austral to the gravel highway, between Coyhaique (75km) and Villa Cerro Castillo (30km). From the flip to the park entrance about 13km; simple stroll, principally flat, on the gravel highway by way of fields and forest.

On the entrance, you register, pay CLP 29 000/US$33 entrance payment and get a free map.

Highlights

• Indigenous forest
• The gorgeous valley of Río Turbio

Challenges

• It was a simple day of strolling with out steep ascents or descents.

Day 2. Río Turbio –  El Bosque, 12 km/7,4 mi

At first good simple stroll by way of the forest alongside the river for about 4km at some stage, we misplaced the path however discovered it shortly. Then just one lengthy steep up on the hike to El Peñon cross, on prime of it you’ll get an opportunity to stroll on snow/ice in the midst of summer season.

After the up all the time comes down; steep and rocky, watch out, don’t rush, and watch your step. Stroll from the campsite to the cross and over it takes about 5 hours. As soon as down, it’s 1,5 hours extra to tenting El Bosque. Observe! In 2022 the campsite El Bosque was moved deeper into the forest. It’s a 40-minute stroll from the unique campsite that’s closed for restoration.

There was one other campsite La Tetera, about 1-hour stroll from El Bosque however as of August 2022, it’s closed for restoration.

Highlights

• Beautiful views from the highest of El Peñon cross
• Snow and ice on the highest of the cross

Challenges

• A steep ascent from the valley to El Pañon cross, +600m
• A steep and rocky descent from the cross, -700m

Day 3. El Bosque/La Tetera – tenting Neozelandes, 11 km/6,8 mi

Firstly of the day after a 1-hour stroll you arrive on the lake – Laguna Cerro Castillo (you begin there if you happen to camped at La Tetera), one of the vital spectacular sceneries on the hike; turquoise coloration lake, hanging glacier, and mountains round. From the lake, you’ll begin ascending to Cerro Castillo cross, 1600m.

Don’t neglect to show round once in a while to examine the view, from the highest of the cross it’s much more spectacular. As soon as on the prime you begin a steep lengthy descent, be very cautious it’s actually steep, rocky, and will get very windy.

After about 1,5 hours you’ll end up on the river, tenting Los Porteadores. Right here you might have a number of choices; to camp at Los Porteadores and stroll to Neozelandes with out your backpack, to skip Neozelandes and go right down to Cerro Castillo village, or to maintain strolling along with your backpack, about 1,5 hours, to  Neozelandes and camp there. We selected the final possibility and actually loved it, the realm across the campsite is totally lovely; a inexperienced valley with a river surrounded by bizarre-shaped mountains. Tenting Neozelandes was the least crowded, we have been 6 folks tenting there.

If for some cause you don’t need or can’t proceed the hike you’ll be able to take an emergency route. From La Tetera stroll as much as the Mirador Cerro Castillo the place you’ll see Sendero de Emergencia, a route that may take you straight to Villa Cerro Castillo. This route is utilized by day hikers to get from the city to Laguna Cerro Castillo and again in at some point. The descent may be very steep, about 900m down.

Highlights

• Turquoise blue lake Laguna Cerro Castillo
• Hanging Cerro Castillo Glacier
• Beautiful views from the highest of the cross
• A fantastic valley at Neozelandes campsite

Challenges

• A steep rocky ascent to Cerro Castillo cross, +700m
• A really steep and rocky descent from the cross, -800m

Day 4. Neozelandes – Villa Cerro Castillo, 13 km/8 mi

Final bit and solely down, all the best way to the highway, about 3,5 hours and from there 1,5 hours to the village and campings.

On the exit, you will be requested to indicate your ticket, and hold it until the tip. The trekking is just not very troublesome however will be if the climate is dangerous, the trail is properly marked, no harmful animals or toxic snakes, and you stroll between 6-7 hours every day.

Highlights

• Strolling by way of the forest

Challenges

• An extended descent to Villa Cerro Castillo, -800m

What to pack for the Cerro Castillo trek?

There aren’t any lodging choices, eating places, or retailers contained in the Nationwide reserve deliver with you all you want for 3 nights of tenting.

Tent – for tenting in Patagonia we’d suggest having a great high quality dependable tent that’s waterproof and wind-resistant. After 5 years of touring, mountaineering, and tenting generally in very dangerous climate situations we purchased an MSR Hubba Hubba NX tent. It’s gentle, pack small, simple to pitch, waterproof, and really steady in sturdy wind. They is likely to be not the most affordable tents however will serve you for years with out failing.

Tenting mat – we’re each fully for an inflatable tenting pad. It’s small and light-weight, simple to clean, match inside a backpack, mushy and comfy.

Sleeping bag – if you happen to’re going to Patagonia in summer season 0°C consolation sleeping again might be adequate, in different seasons we’d suggest bringing a bag with consolation to -5°C. I desire down sleeping luggage. They are lighter, pack smaller, heat, very mushy, and comfy but when they get moist it’ll be an issue.

Cooking gear (range, pots, gasoline) – we suggest bringing a range to have the ability to prepare dinner scorching meals and boil water for tea. Fashionable tenting stoves are very gentle and small and can hardly add 500 grams to your backpack weight. Purchase a range with Piezo Ignition to have a backup in case you lose a lighter or matches get moist.

As for pots we all the time take two pots with lids (that we use as plates); one for cooking and one for boiling water. You’ll be capable to purchase gasoline in virtually any city in Patagonia. You should buy a cooking set with a range, pots, and utensils.

Extra particulars on mountaineering and tenting gear for Patagonia you’ll find in our Patagonia packing checklist submit.

Mirador Cerro Castillo – at some point hike

It’s attainable to do a one-day hike to the Mirador Cerro Castillo from the place you’ll be able to see the lake and Cerro Castillo glacier. For my part, it’s among the best day hikes in Patagonia.

• Beginning and ending level – Villa Cerro Castillo
• Distance – 12km return
• Altitude achieve/loss – 900m ascent to the Mirador (viewpoint) with subsequent 900m descent again to the valley.
• The time required – 6-7 hours
• Permits – no particular permits are required. The doorway payment is CLP 18 000/US$20 is charged on the entrance. For a day hike entry to the path is from 7 am to 12 pm. It’s completed to make sure you’ll have sufficient time to descend earlier than it will get darkish.

For those who get pleasure from day-hikes with beautiful surroundings and breathtaking lookout factors take into account together with a number of the lovely day-hikes in Torres del Paine in your Patagonia itinerary.

Tips on how to get to Mirador Cerro Castillo hike?

The trek begins at Villa Cerro Castillo, take a bus or hitchhike from Coyhaique. As soon as there discover a signal “Sendero de Chile” and observe the highway till you attain a check-point. There you pay admission CLP 18 000/US$20 and begin a steep ascend all the best way to the Mirador.

Day hikers to Mirador Cerro Castillo must ascend and descend following the identical path. It’s not allowed to enter or exit by way of Estera Prado Entrance (the doorway for the circuit). Day hikers are usually not allowed to descend to the lake because it takes an excessive amount of time.

Highlights

• Laguna Cerro Castillo
• Cerro Castillo Glacier
• Views from the Mirador

Challenges

• A really steep and lengthy ascent from Villa Cerro Castillo to the Mirador, +900m
• A steep and lengthy descent again to the city, -900m

Mirador Cerro Castillo trek packing checklist

• Water bottle
• Snacks, sandwiches – it’s a 7-hour hike you’ll get hungry.
• Sun shades
• Cap
• Rain jackets
• Mountaineering poles might be helpful on the best way down, it’s steep and lengthy.
• Sunscreen – on a sunny day it’s a should.
• Insect repellent – there is likely to be sandflies, they’re very annoying.

The place to remain earlier than the trek?

For Patagonia, Coyhaique is kind of a giant place the final correct city with good infrastructure on the best way down south until El Chalten in Argentina or Puerto Natales in Chile. If it’s worthwhile to improve your gear, purchase gasoline, draw money –  it’s the place to do it. There are a few gear and second-hand retailers (Ropa Americana) within the city, which was fairly vital for me as a result of on the best way to Coyhaique I misplaced my backpack with all my garments, it fell out of the automotive whereas we have been hitchhiking. 

You possibly can mix the Patagonia mountaineering expertise with exploring the large San Rafael glacier, there are excursions to the glacier that depart from Coyhaique every day.

Coyhaique services

• Motels – sure
• Campsites – sure
• Grocery store, retailers – sure, massive Unimark and one or two outside gear retailers
• Eating places, cafes – sure
• ATMs – sure
• Data workplace – sure

Lodging in Coyhaique

There are numerous visitor homes, lodges, hostels, and campsites within the city. In case you are on a good price range deliver a tent – tenting is the one price range lodging possibility on this a part of Patagonia. We will suggest El Tenting, a bit outdoors of the city. It has good services; scorching bathe, wi-fi, energy retailers however no kitchen you want your individual cooking gear, value CLP 9000/US$10 per individual. 

The hike finishes at Villa Cerro Castillo, a small city with a few eating places, a store or two, and small visitor homes/cabins and campsites. We will suggest Baqueanos de la Patagonia campsite, 10 minutes away from the park exit, a pleasant place with good services; scorching bathe, kitchen, electrical energy, retailers, and wi-fi. Value CLP 9000/US$10 per individual. To have extra lodging and restaurant choices relatively than return to Coyhaique. 

Villa Cerro Castillo services

• Resort – sure, a few visitor homes and cabins (cabañas)
• Campsite – sure, a number of by way of the city
• Store – sure, a few smallish retailers
• Restaurant – sure, a number of native eating places
• ATM – no
• Data – sure

Lodging in Villa Cerro Castillo

Tenting Rustik Patagonia | Tenting Araukaria | Tenting El Mirador| Hostal El Rodeo | La Casona | B&B y Cabañas Cerro Castillo |

Tips on how to get from Villa Cerro Castillo to Coyhaique?

For those who arrive within the city early you’ll have an opportunity to catch a bus again to Coyhaique the identical day. There are two or three every day buses from Cochrane to Coyhaique however within the season they is likely to be full. Go to the vacationer info workplace only a block away from Carretera Austral. You possibly can attempt to hitchhike however it may be troublesome as a result of many individuals on the highway – dozens of backpackers locals and foreigners hoping to get a journey. 

Tips on how to get from Villa Cerro Castillo to Puerto Río Tranquilo? 

If hitch-hiking is just not your cup of tea you’ll be able to catch a bus simply must know that public transport may be very scarce within the space. There was a bus at 11am to Cochrane, value CLP 9000 pesos/US$10. In our expertise the bus was already full when arrived, some folks might get in. We hitched all the best way to Puerto Río Tranquilo, 120km south of Villa Cerro Castillo, and have been very prefer to get a journey shortly.

Really helpful books and guidebooks

The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack relatively than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (really any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.