From downtown Bariloche:

Bus: In summer season there is a minibus transfer to Pampa Linda. Get off at “Los Césares”, the trailhead is right across the road.

By car: 61 km total. Take route 40 towards El Bolsón, soon after Villa Mascardi at 36 km. there is a right turn off onto a gravel road. Another couple of hundred meters and you are at the Park Rangers Office “Mascardi”, where is the paid entrance fee to the National Park. From here there are 25 km. to Los Césares.

The road between Los Rápidos and Pampa Linda has timetables of restricted one direction:

• One way up: from 10:30 to 14 hs. from Los Rápidos.
• One way down: from 16 to 18 hs. from Pampa Linda.
• Two way road: from 19:30 to 9 hs.
• From 14 to 19:30 hs you cannot head towards Pampa Linda.

Close to Los Césares:

Camping area “ The 3 Poplars” – No services

Tronador Hotel – Open from November to April
www.hoteltronador.com

The trail starts at Los Césares, on the road to Pampa Linda. It follows the Manso river upstream to a hanging bridge to cross it. Then on to the Claro river, be careful this can be very strong at the beginning of the season.

This is part of the Huella Andina traverse connecting with the San Martin Hut via the Casalata creek. All the area close to the Mascardi lake has lots of different trails and easy to get lost, pay attention to signs.

Camping or fires are not allowed. Watch out for the sign to “Castillo Rojo” peak only a few meters after crossing the Casalata creek. The last km is very steep with many switchbacks and careful foot placing. Take good hiking shoes.

Take the same trail back down.