Cerro Colo Huincul
A demanding climb up Cerro Colo Huincul (2,167 m), across from the entrance to the Lago Curruhué Chico campground. A 6.5-7 hour round trip. The summit looks out over Lagos Curruhué Chico, Curruhué Grande, Lolog and Huechulafquen, Volcán Lanín, and Volcán Villarrica in Chile.
Cerro Colo Huincul rises across from Lago Curruhué Chico and offers one of the most complete panoramas in the southern sector of Parque Nacional Lanín, despite being one of its least-traveled summits — likely because the elevation gain is packed into just under 7 km of climbing.
The trail starts across from the Curruhué Chico campground entrance and climbs steadily through Andean-Patagonian forest before opening onto more exposed slopes toward the summit. It's a demanding climb, but without technical difficulty beyond the elevation gain itself.
From the summit (2,167 m) the panorama takes in Lagos Curruhué Chico, Curruhué Grande, Lolog and a stretch of Huechulafquen all at once, with Volcán Lanín dominating the horizon and, on clear days, Villarrica visible on the Chilean side. One of the best panoramic views in the park's southern sector, without the crowds of its better-known summits.
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 13.2 km
- Duration: 6.5–7 hours
- Elevation gain: 1084 m
- Max altitude: 2167 m
- Best season: Dec – Mar
- Trailhead: Frente al camping de Lago Curruhué Chico, Parque Nacional Lanín
- Park / area: Parque Nacional Lanín, Neuquén
Nearby trails
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Cerro Colo Huincul trek take?
Cerro Colo Huincul takes 6.5–7 hours to complete, covering 13.2 km with 1084 m of elevation gain, rated hard.
Is Cerro Colo Huincul suitable for beginners?
Not for beginners: Cerro Colo Huincul is rated hard and requires prior mountain experience and solid fitness.
Do I need a permit to hike Cerro Colo Huincul?
No, Cerro Colo Huincul doesn’t require an advance permit.
When is the best time to hike Cerro Colo Huincul?
The recommended season is Dec – Mar. Sliabh’s map shows current daylight hours and a live weather/solar panel for the exact trailhead.
Can I camp along Cerro Colo Huincul?
No, camping is not permitted along this specific route.
Where does the Cerro Colo Huincul trailhead start?
The trailhead is at Frente al camping de Lago Curruhué Chico, Parque Nacional Lanín, in Parque Nacional Lanín, Neuquén province. Sliabh’s 3D map and downloadable GPX track show the exact starting point.
Can I download an offline map or GPX track for Cerro Colo Huincul?
Yes — Sliabh provides a downloadable GPX track and an offline 3D map for Cerro Colo Huincul, so it works with no signal on the trail.
Lanín National Park · Hiking in Northern Patagonia