Facing the majestic Cerro Castillo is one of the experiences you will remember for a lifetime. But walking its trails and climbing its slopes will transform the connection you have with nature.
In this article you will discover some reasons that position this destination as one of those you can not miss on your route to Patagonia, a mountaineering community that receives hundreds of climbers every year in its more than 2318 meters above sea level and new points for trekking in Cerro Castillo.
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In the Aysén Region, Chile, you will find the Cerro Castillo nature reserve. It is a conservation point with one of the few trails in the world where you can go trekking while experiencing all seasons of the year in its nearly 53.5 km long "Travesía de las Horquetas" that can be done in 4 days.
Its curious hills and ice columns that resemble the shape of a castle, give it its picturesque name and attract more and more mountaineers to climb the towers of this inhospitable place.
It also attracts their attention as a destination of low climbing difficulty. In addition to the ease of access compared to others worldwide, thanks to the almost 400 access routes, located in the region of Rio Ibañez and the towns surrounding Cerro Castillo.
Undoubtedly what motivates those who have already visited this place are its imposing landscapes, as it is still one of the most disconnected points of the planet from city life and the security they have when making their journey.
In 2017 the Mammut Roc'Fest of climbing was held for the first time in Cerro Castillo and over the years it has become one of the favorite places to practice this sport.
A community of climbers from different parts of the world was created in this place, which has made this festival grow. In the last few years it has been supported by Mammut and Andresgear and has brought together up to 500 climbers.
One of the climbers of the local community led by Pere Vilarasau tells us how he arrived and settled in this place, what inspired him and his contribution to the community.
Read his testimony here.
The festival is usually held in spring, being just the time when the snow retreats, the rock is dry and the landscape is dressed in colors. Each sector has different climbing styles: slab, vertical, crack, overhangs, holes, etc.
Learn more about Roc'Fest here.
In Cerro Castillo the main climbing sectors are:
These 6 places are enabled for climbing and are marked on a map. You should talk to your guide before entering because many of these spaces are private and the owners are the ones who offer them for this activity.
Another advantage of this place is its easy access, because contrary to what is believed Patagonia is very well connected with the rest of Chile. From Santiago to Cerro Castillo there is approximately 1h 35 min, different access roads and some cabins or glampings for travelers who want to live their journey without giving up their comfort.
Here are some of the natural wonders that you will find on your trip and that make them some of the most impressive on the planet.
However, although it may not seem so, the tranquility of these landscapes is constantly threatened by mining projects that seek to exploit the region's minerals. This is how the movement Patagonia sin más mineras was born, which has been fighting for decades for the conservation of Aysén, managing to stop multiple projects.
One of its most recent achievements was the temporary suspension of 182 registration applications made in 2019 by Minera Newnmont Limitada, which endangered more than 50,000 hectares of Chilean Patagonia in the commune of Coyhaique, Aysén Region.
If you are motivated to explore faraway places, this is undoubtedly one of the destinations that despite its low difficulty is still one of the least visited in the world, where you will find a large number of unclimbed mountains and a community of passionate trekkers and hikers.
Currently there are about 650 peaks registered for climbing, but both locals and climbers who visit Cerro Castillo know that there are still many more to discover.
Do you want to start this journey? We invite you to discover the Classis Cerro Castillo Trek expedition by Tolhuin Expeditions.
If you want to know about this or other destinations in Patagonia, we invite you to download our E-Book. Don't miss out on everything this wonderful destination has to offer!