Timeline
20:18
Grab a hot drink or snack from a shop in town before heading up. Check the route to the mountain.
20:33
Arrive at Catedral Alta Patagonia. Find a spot in the parking lot or on a nearby ridge that faces west. The description notes the sun sets toward the WSW, so position yourself to catch that angle.
21:18
Watch the sun dip below the horizon around 21:18. The golden light from 20:38 will have already washed over the ski runs and the 2 km² of terrain.
21:48
Stay for the blue hour as the light fades from the snow and peaks. Take in the quiet of the biggest ski centre in South America after the day's skiers have left.
Local tip
The trail to the Frey refugio is a long hike, but the parking lot area offers easy access to views without the exertion. Keep an eye on the time as evening temperatures drop quickly in Patagonia.
Check before you go
- Check the route to Catedral Alta Patagonia from town, as it is 19 km away.
- If visiting in winter, ensure your vehicle is suitable for mountain roads.
- Sunset times vary by season: 21:18 in January, 19:15 in April, 18:36 in July, and 20:07 in October.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to San Carlos de Bariloche (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).