Cerro López and Refugio López: the mountain above Colonia Suiza

Anyone driving the Circuito Chico sees it from the window: Cerro López towers over Colonia Suiza like a wall of rock and forest. What many people don't know is that you can climb it, and that its mountain hut is one of the most accessible in the region.

The trail starts beside the López stream, on the left bank. At first it climbs gently through a forest of old coihues and tall lengas; then the slope gets steeper and the vegetation closes in. Along the way, natural viewpoints open up over the national park, with lakes, islands and mountains, and a rock wall with a panoramic view makes a good place for a break. Higher up comes the "piedra del descanso" (the resting rock), and behind it, the hut.

Cerro López owes its name to Francisco P. Moreno, who named it in honor of Vicente López y Planes, author of the lyrics of the Argentine National Anthem. The hut sits at 1,620 meters and has shared dormitories, a dining room, kitchen, bathrooms and electricity. Because of the altitude, snow lingers around it well into summer. From there, routes lead to the Turista and La Hoya peaks, as well as connections to other huts on multi-day treks, such as the 4 Refugios trek.

It is a climb with no technical difficulty, but a steady one. Be ready to walk uphill the whole way; the view makes up for every meter. Those who drive up pass two other mountain huts, Roca Negra and Extremo Encantado, where you can try regional food.

Before setting out, register: it is mandatory and done online on the National Park website.

• Type of tour: Mountain trekking
• Difficulty level: Low to medium
• Tip: Start early, bring warm clothing, water and something to eat, and complete the trekking registration.