Patagonia Bariloche by UTMB
Bariloche Patagonia by UTMB (Tronador 132K)
San Carlos de Bariloche (Centro Cívico)
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
The Tronador 132K is the flagship distance of Bariloche Patagonia by UTMB, starting and finishing at the iconic Centro Cívico in San Carlos de Bariloche at 794 m above sea level. Over 132 km and 6,225 m of accumulated climbing, the route threads through some of Patagonia's most dramatic scenery — ancient lenga beech forests, glacial valleys, and exposed ridgelines — with a high point of 1,939 m. It is a race of two very different halves: a rolling, deceptively accessible first section through the lake district's valleys and trails, and a demanding, mountainous second half that decides everything. The sole hard cut-off is Day 3 at 07:30 at the finish, which means the race can extend well into a third day for many competitors. This is not a race you run fast from the gun — it is a race you survive wisely and then execute.
Course & Terrain
The route departs Centro Cívico (794 m) and immediately heads toward Cerro Otto at 12 km, where the first real climb of the day is encountered. From Otto the course drops into the lush Arrayanes sector at 22 km (985 m), a forested stretch that rewards runners with soft trail underfoot before the rising grind toward the Nahuel Huapi checkpoint near Colonia Suiza at 33 km and 1,250 m — the highest point in the first third of the race. The terrain here is classically Patagonian: dense native forest giving way to open slopes where wind and weather can arrive without warning. The midsection runs through Bella Vista at 55 km (829 m), a relative low point that marks the transition into the race's serious terrain. From Bella Vista the course climbs hard to Los Baqueanos at 68 km and 1,689 m — a gain of 860 m in roughly 13 km — before descending to the Frey checkpoint at 80 km (831 m). The final 52 km back to the Centro Cívico carry the bulk of accumulated fatigue and must be treated with respect. Trail surfaces vary from compacted dirt and exposed root networks in the forests to loose rock and scree on the upper sections; gaiters are worth serious consideration.
The Decisive Climbs — Where the Race Is Won and Lost
Two sections define the Tronador 132K more than any other. The first is the sustained push from Bella Vista (55 km, 829 m) up to Los Baqueanos (68 km, 1,689 m). Arriving at Bella Vista already tired from 55 km of Patagonian trail, runners face an 860 m climb in a concentrated stretch. This is the race's central crux: those who have conserved energy through the earlier valleys handle it as a powerful mid-race effort; those who went out hard find it a breaking point. The second critical section is everything beyond Frey at 80 km. By this point legs have absorbed 5,000-plus metres of cumulative stress and the remaining 52 km — including the return to Bariloche — must be navigated on depleted resources. The high point of 1,939 m occurs in this back section of the course, meaning the biggest elevation challenge coincides with maximum fatigue. There is no coasting home; the finish at Centro Cívico must be earned all the way to the line.
Pacing Strategy
The single most important strategic decision in this race is how you run the first 55 km to Bella Vista. The early valleys and forest trails feel manageable and inviting — that is the trap. The runners who perform best treat the opening third almost as a social effort, keeping heart rate controlled, hiking the climbs, and arriving at Nahuel Huapi (33 km) feeling as though they have barely started. This patient deposit in the first half is what funds a strong second half. Think of the race as two separate efforts: conserve aggressively to Bella Vista, then race from Los Baqueanos onward. In the closing kilometres, when fatigue is profound and the finish still feels distant, break the remaining distance into small, manageable chunks — reach the next landmark, reset, repeat. The cut-off at Day 3, 07:30 provides a long window, but do not mistake that for permission to be reckless early; the time buffer is there because the back half of this course demands it.
Fuelling & Crew Access
With seven checkpoints spread across 132 km, runners have reliable resupply opportunities roughly every 10–20 km through the first half and again at Frey (80 km) before the long push home. The Nahuel Huapi checkpoint near Colonia Suiza at 33 km is a natural moment to top up calories before the terrain becomes more demanding. Bella Vista at 55 km is the last major checkpoint before the hardest climbing of the race and should be treated as a full reset: eat a proper meal, refill all water, and sort kit for the night or exposed sections ahead. Los Baqueanos at 68 km sits at 1,689 m and may offer limited shelter; do not rely on it for extended recovery. Given the multi-day potential of this race, solid food intake — not just gels — becomes critical after the first night. Aim for real calories at every manned checkpoint, and carry enough between stations to cover the longer gaps in the back half.
Conditions to Expect
Bariloche's Patagonian environment is defined by rapid weather change. Temperatures can swing dramatically within a single day, and the exposed ridgelines above 1,500 m — particularly approaching the 1,939 m high point — are vulnerable to wind and precipitation that arrives fast and leaves little warning. Layers that pack small and a reliable waterproof shell are non-negotiable regardless of what the forecast says at the start line. The lake district's humidity keeps the forest trails moist and rooted sections slippery, especially through the Arrayanes and Nahuel Huapi sectors. Overnight sections — and this race is long enough that virtually every competitor will run through at least one night — bring rapid temperature drops at elevation. Navigation lighting, battery reserves, and warm gloves should be considered essential rather than optional. In the warmer parts of the race, particularly in the valleys in the middle of the day, heat management matters: use checkpoint stops to cool down and do not let the mid-race sun accelerate your fluid deficit before the big climbs.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 795 m · —
12.5 km · 813 m · —
17.7 km · 827 m · —
28.8 km · 821 m · Sat 03:00
42.7 km · 815 m · Sat 07:15
52.1 km · 823 m · Sat 09:15
65 km · 1053 m · Sat 12:30
74.9 km · 1055 m · Sat 16:20
80.2 km · 829 m · Sat 17:20
95.4 km · 822 m · Sat 22:30
103.7 km · 831 m · Sun 00:30
111.2 km · 1053 m · Sun 02:10
119.3 km · 813 m · Sun 03:50
132.1 km · 795 m · Sun 07:30
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