Hiking around the Valley of the Lost

Neumeyer Refuge offers the chance to go on multiple tours in the heights of Bariloche. Lying just 20 kilometers away from the city following Route 258, we reached it by car. However, several agencies provide shuttle services to this destination.

Challhuaco Valley, where the refuge is located, is ideal to set out on an adventure to see nature in the mountain. Willing to see and enjoy, we fastened our hiking shoes and got ready to leave.

There are two alternatives to visit Valle de los Perdidos (the Valley of the Lost): either by hiring a guide who will be present during the entire tour and provide information about the environment and the different sites visited, or by taking the tour on your own. If you choose the latter, you had better ask for a brochure at the refuge so that you may get to know the area better.

We wished to hike on our own. We had been told the trail is very well sign-posted so the adventure began. The system is simple: hikers just have to follow the blue indications along the trail. We soon discovered we could advance without any inconvenience. The trail is easy and the slope is not too steep.

The area we were crossing is part of the Nahuel Huapi National Reserve; therefore, it is important to bear in mind certain considerations in order to protect it. It is forbidden to leave the trail or cut or damage any of the species. It is also important to remember that we should carry all waste back to the refuge.

The trail displayed a wide range of sceneries and we soon found ourselves walking among logs and avoiding roots. The shrubs gave shape to a thick understory. The silence let us hear the sound of our own steps over the murmur of some creek and the chirping of the birds.

After walking around for a while surrounded by plants and shade, we suddenly noticed we were entering a clearing. We had reached the Valley of the Lost, where we found a viewpoint which displayed a complete view of the valley, the mountains and all the hues in the region.

The Valley of the Lost got its name from an old anecdote. It happened a long time ago when a pioneer family got to the area and got lost in the foothills.

As we had fulfilled our aim, we had a short rest and before we could even notice, it was time to start our way back to the shelter. We knew a delicious snack would be waiting for us. An ideal way of recovering our energy after the tour. We wanted to know what else the refuge had to offer.