The Mount Fitz Roy hike (Laguna de Los Tres) is without a doubt one of the best hikes in Patagonia (and arguably South America). This incredible hike takes you right to the base of the famous Mount Fitz Roy, the face of Patagonia.
Located in Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, Mount Fitz Roy towers over the small mountain town of El Chalten. Each year, thousands of visitors head to the area with the hope of completing the iconic hike and getting up close and personal with Fitz Roy itself.
Visiting this epic destination and hiking to Laguna de Los Tres had been at the top of my bucket list for years. In 2024, I embarked on a solo hiking trip to Patagonia and finally got the chance to see Mount Fitz Roy in all its glory.
I’ve done some amazing hikes all around the world, but there is something very special about Fitz Roy/Laguna de Los Tres. The scenery is beyond spectacular and it’s a hike I will remember forever.
In this post, I’ve shared all you need to know about hiking the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de Los Tres hike, one of the best hikes in El Chalten.
While a popular hike, it’s not something to be taken lightly. The hike is 14 miles (22.5 km) in length and there are a couple of tough sections. It’s certainly not a “roll out of bed and hope for the best” type of hike. It requires some preparation and organisation. Having said that, the hike is doable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
Here’s all you need to know about the Mount Fitz Roy day hike.
Related read: El Chalten is the hiking capital of Argentina and there are several fantastic hikes in the area
Overview of the Mount Fitz Roy hike
The Mount Fitz Roy hike (also known as Laguna de Los Tres) is in Los Glaciares National Park near the town of El Chalten. It’s one of the best hikes in Argentina and all of Patagonia.
There are various routes you can take to complete the hike, but if you’re following the popular out-and-back route, here are the stats:
Length: 14 miles /22.5 km (this will increase if you take any of the detours)
Elevation gain: 1066 m / 3500 ft (400ft is in the last km)
Terrain: mainly dirt until the last km which involves rocks and scree
Difficulty: difficult due to the length, but not overly technical
Time to complete: 7-9 hours round trip
To clarify any confusion, Laguna de Los Tres and Fitz Roy are the same hike. Put simply, the hike takes you to Laguna de Los Tres for incredible views of Fitz Roy.
For the sake of this article, I’ll use both Fitz Roy and Laguna de Los Tres.
Important note: This hike does not involve climbing Fitz Roy itself. It takes you to the base of the incredible mountain.
Best time of year to hike to Fitz Roy
The summer months are the best time to hike to Fitz Roy / Laguna de Los Tres. While there can be strong winds, the weather is often favourable for hiking.
The peak season in El Chalten is between November and March and this is when the trails are the busiest. It’s sometimes possible to hike to Laguna de Los Tres in the shoulder season months of October and April, but there can be snow and ice on the trail.
Unless you’re an experienced hiker with the correct equipment, hiking to Laguna de Los Tres is normally not possible in the winter. The trail is often covered in deep snow and can be prone to avalanches. If you are visiting El Chalten in the winter, I’d suggest speaking to a local guide about doing the hike. If you’re very lucky, the hike may still be accessible.
Breakdown of the Mount Fitz Roy hike
Section 1: the climb up
The trailhead for Laguna de Los Tres is at the north end of Avenida San Martin. The hike begins with a steep climb through the trees, which takes an hour or so to complete. It’s a steep and consistent climb with plenty of viewpoints to rest.
This certainly isn’t the most exciting part of the hike, but you’re getting a nice chunk of the elevation out of the way.
Section 2: the views begin
After an hour or so, the trail will begin to flatten out and you’ll be rewarded with views of Rio de Las Vueltas and the valley.
This next section of the trail remains relatively flat as it takes you through a forest and across a meadow. You’ll also catch your first glimpses of Cerro Fitz Roy and the Piedras Blancas Glacier (on a clear day, at least!).
Tip: this is where I saw a Condor flying above, so keep an eye out.
At one point, you’ll have the option to continue to Laguna de Los Tres or go to Laguna Capri. While both trails ultimately take you to the same place, I’d suggest sticking to the main trail and enjoying Laguna Capri on the way back. It’s not uncommon for Fitz Roy to cloud over as the day goes on so it’s a good idea to get there as early as you can.
Once you reach the Poincenot Campsite, you’re only about 1km away from Laguna de Los Tres. However, this is the steepest and most challenging part of the trail with 400 metres of elevation gain.
It took me about 2 ½ hours to reach the Poincenot campsite and another hour from there to Laguna de Los Tres.
Just after the Poincenot Campsite is an area with benches. It’s a good idea to take a break, eat a snack, and apply SPF before tackling the final part of the hike to Fitz Roy. There is also a glacial river here where you can refill your water.
Section 3: the final push
Now, the real work begins. The trail here gains 400 metres of elevation over 1km. It’s steep, rocky, and exposed, with lots of loose rocks and gravel.
Take your time on this section. It’s very steep and challenging. You may benefit from hiking poles.
Section 4: the spectacular finish
As you keep pushing up the hill, the spectacular towers of Mount Fitz Roy will start to tease you as they come into view.
After a final slog up a sketchy scree field, Laguna de Los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy will appear in all their glory.
Honestly, this is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking views I have ever experienced. The scenery is beyond anything imaginable. It’s so beautiful.
You can easily spend an hour at the base of Mount Fitz Roy. You might not have the energy, but I highly recommend walking down to Laguna de Los Tres for a closer view. It also tends to be a little more sheltered from the wind there.
Section 5: the return
All good things must come to an end. After spending some time at the lake, it will be time to return to El Chalten.
The first part of the hike down is the most challenging. It took me almost as long to hike up the final kilometre as it did down. The rocks are very loose, so you may find yourself slipping and sliding a little. Take your time and use hiking poles if you need to.
Once you reach the Poincenot Campsite, you can take a detour to see the Piedras Blancas Glacier. If it’s a clear day, I highly recommend doing so. It’s about an extra 40 minutes of walking (out and back), but it’s completely flat. The views from the viewpoint are marvellous.
Back on the main trail, there are two routes that will take you back to El Chalten: the way you came or via Laguna Capri. If you have the energy, I suggest going via Laguna Capri. It doesn’t add too much in length, and the views of Fitz Roy are beautiful. It was almost empty when I was there, and it was a very serene experience.
After this, continue the walk back to El Chalten. The trailhead is a short walk from most of the accommodations and restaurants.
It took me four hours to return to El Chalten from the base of Fitz Roy. But this included a 40-minute detour to Piedras Blancas Glacier and spending some time at Laguna Capri.
Related read: check out my guide to El Chalten which includes where to eat and drink
Is the Mount Fitz Roy hike difficult?
Yes, the Fitz Roy / Laguna de Los Tres hike is difficult. While there is nothing overly technical or challenging, the hike is long and exposed to the elements. It can feel a little relentless at times, especially on the final push to the summit. It’s certainly a strenuous hike.
In total, I was on the trail for nine hours (this included a couple of detours). So, it’s certainly not a hike to take lightly.
If you’re in good physical condition, you should find the hike doable. Take plenty of water, lunch, and snacks to keep you going and keep your energy levels up.
The final kilometre of the hike is certainly the hardest. It’s steep, exposed, and covered in loose rocks. This is where I saw the most people struggling and questioning their decision to do the hike.
Take your time and take as many breaks as you need. I promise you, it’s worth it!
Mount Fitz Roy hike: alternative routes
The above description outlines the main hiking route for Mount Fitz Roy. However, there are a couple of other options which I’ve touched on below.
Including Laguna Capri
As mentioned above, it’s possible to go via Laguna Capri when trekking to or from Laguna de Los Tres. It doesn’t add too much distance, and it’s a very serene spot.
In my opinion, it’s best to visit Laguna Capri on the way back down. The views on the way to Fitz Roy were some of my favourites, and if you go via Laguna Capri, you’ll miss this. It’s also common for cloud to move in as the day goes on, so getting to Laguna de Los Tres should be your priority.
On my way back down from Fitz Roy, I saw several people swimming in Laguna Capri. It’s a really lovely spot.
Mount Fitz Roy hike from El Pilar
Hiking Mount Fitz Roy from El Pilar is becoming increasingly popular, especially for those who camp and carry equipment.
The trail to Laguna de Los Tres from El Pilar is about a mile shorter and knocks off a couple of hundred feet in elevation. You have the option to hike out and back to the starting point or begin in El Pilar and end in El Chalten (the most popular).
If you opt to start in El Pilar, you’ll need to get to Hosteria El Pilar which is where the trailhead is. It’s about a 30-minute drive from El Chalten. It’s common to get a taxi there and walk back to El Chalten via Fitz Roy.
The El Pilar route brings you up towards the Poincenot campsite where the trails meet. You’ll walk past the viewpoint for the Piedras Blancas Glacier too.
Hiking from El Pilar is a great option if you don’t mind paying for the taxi. It knocks off a bit of the length and creates a loop trail, making the hike a bit more diverse. I opted not to do this as I didn’t want to pay for a taxi by myself. However, I met a group of backpackers who had shared a taxi to the trailhead for a few dollars each.
The starting point for this route is from Hosteria El Pilar.
With Laguna Torre & Laguna Madre e Hija (multi-day trek)
If you’re keen to do a multi-day trek while in El Chalten, you could combine two of the best hikes in El Chalten. This popular 3-day / 2-night hike combines Fitz Roy/Laguna de Los Tres with the famous Laguna Torre hike.
You can do the hike in either direction, but most people follow the below route:
Day 1 – hike to either the Poincenot campsite or Laguna Capri campsite.
Day 2 – hike to Mount Fitz Roy for sunrise and continue to the Laguna Torre campsite via the Laguna Madre trail (it’s well signposted).
Day 3 – hike to Laguna Torre and witness Cerro Torre at sunrise before returning to El Chalten.
It’s also possible to do this as an overnight hike in two days if you’re experienced with walking long distances.
It’s roughly 24 miles (40km) in total, depending on where you start. I highly advise downloading this trail offline using AllTrails. While it is well marked, the trail does divide into various directions at some points, and you don’t want to get lost.
Fitz Roy: sunrise and sunset
Laguna de Los Tres is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset. Depending on the time of year, it can be quite logistically difficult to do.
I worked out to catch the sunrise over Fitz Roy, I’d have to begin hiking at 2 am. As I was by myself, hiking in the dark didn’t feel sensible.
To watch the sunrise or sunset at Laguna de Los Tres, I’d suggest camping at the Poincenot or Laguna Capri campsites. This means you won’t need to hike as long in the dark and there will no doubt be others doing the same.
Where to stay nearby
The town of El Chalten is the best place to stay for hiking to Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de Los Tres.
This small but lively mountain town is filled with a range of accommodation options including hostels and luxury hotels.
El Calafate is another popular option. Most people visit El Calafate for the nearby Perito Moreno Glacier, but it’s also possible to do a day trip to El Chalten. It’s at least a 2 ½ hour drive from El Calafate to El Chalten. However, with long daylight hours in the summer, hiking to Fitz Roy in a day is possible.
Personally, I’d opt to stay in El Chalten before or after hiking to Laguna de Los Tres. It’s one of my favourite places I’ve ever been. It has a lot more to offer and much more charm than El Calafate.
El Calafate is also where the nearest airport is. If you’re in Buenos Aires, you can fly to El Calafate and get the bus from there to El Chalten.
Tip: If you’re staying in El Calafate, don’t miss a visit to La Leona Petrified Forest. This unique area of Patagonia is unlike anywhere else I have visited.
Camping on the Mount Fitz Roy hike
There are several free campsites on the hiking trails around El Chalten. You’ll need to bring your own equipment, but you can hire tents and sleeping mats/bags in the town.
Camping on the trails is free of charge, so it’s a very popular option. The most popular campsite on the trail is the Poincenot campsite (also known as basecamp). This basic camping ground is about a 90-minute walk to the base of Fitz Roy and Laguna de Los Tres.
If you want to split the Fitz Roy hike over two days, hiking to Poincenot and staying overnight is a fantastic option. It also means you can potentially catch the famous Fitz Roy at sunrise or sunset.
The nearby Laguna Capri also has a campsite. It’s a little bit further away than Poincenot, but it’s a better option in my opinion. Laguna Capri boasts some epic views of Fitz Roy and it’s a much quieter spot. You should still be able to reach Laguna de Los Tres in a couple of hours from here.
Both campsites are very basic with pit toilets. You can fill your water using nearby glacial streams.
The campsites operate on a first come first serve basis.
Tips for hiking Mount Fitz Roy
Start early. This is one of the most popular hikes in Patagonia and arguably South America. Visitors travel from all around the world just to do this hike. As there are long daylight hours in the summer months, people don’t tend to hit the trails too early.
To avoid the worst of the crowds, I recommend starting as early as possible. I started the hike at 6 am and it didn’t feel too crowded at all. However, on the way down, there was a constant stream of people heading up.
Take a water bottle. Make sure you’re carrying plenty of water with you on the hike. It’s a long hike and if the sun is shining, it can get very hot. There is a glacial river where it is safe to refill your bottle.
Pace yourself. Even for the most experienced of hikers, this is a long hike. There’s no race to the finish so take your time, pace yourself and enjoy it.
Check the weather. The weather in Patagonia can be very unpredictable. Always check the weather before you hit the trails. If it looks like the weather is going to be extreme, don’t take any risks.
Pack layers and a waterproof. Even if the weather looks favourable, it’s a sensible idea to pack plenty of layers and a waterproof. I went through four seasons in a day when hiking to Fitz Roy. It started hot but by the top, it was windy and freezing. Go prepared and don’t forget SPF.
Related read: my hiking guide to El Chalten also includes a packing list
Choose a clear day. If you have the chance, pick a day with clear skies to do the Fitz Roy hike. While the base at Laguna de Los Tres is still beautiful in the clouds, you won’t get the same spectacular views.
Take hiking poles. The way down somehow feels even longer than the way up. Along with the loose gravel, it can also be tough on the knees. If you have benefited from hiking poles in the past, I’m sure you’ll appreciate them on this hike. It’s possible to rent hiking poles in the town of El Chalten.
FAQ for hiking Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de Los Tres
Are there toilets on the trail?
There are some pit toilets near the Poincenot campsite, but I certainly wouldn’t recommend using them. If you do need to use the bathroom on the trail, make sure you’re not near any rivers.
Is it safe to do the hike alone?
Absolutely! I did the Fitz Roy hike solo with no issues at all. The trail is very busy, so you won’t be alone. if you’re a bit nervous, check out my solo hiking guide.
Does it cost money / do you need an entry permit?
Unlike the nearby Torres del Paine National Park, you don’t need any permits for Laguna de Los Tres. It’s completely free.
Do you need a guide?
You don’t need a guide for the hike. There is the option to hire a guide or join an organised tour, but it isn’t necessary.
Is there parking?
There is a large parking lot at the trailhead for Laguna de Los Tres.
Summary: is the Mount Fitz Roy hike worth it?
Yes, yes, and yes again! The Mount Fitz Roy/Laguna de Los Tres hike is well worth it. It’s one of the best hikes I’ve done anywhere in the world and an absolute must on your trip to Argentina.
Sure, it’s a busy hike. But I promise it’s famous for good reason. I can’t think of anywhere else in the world where you get such incredible views on a day hike.
The hike isn’t overly technical, but it is long, so it’s not the best hike for beginners. Having said that, it should be achievable for anyone who is in good shape.
I was lucky enough to do the Fitz Roy / Laguna de Los Tres hike on a clear day with perfect weather. This means I was spoiled with epic views. I heard stories of people who weren’t so lucky and didn’t see Cerro Fitz Roy as it was covered in clouds. They still enjoyed the hike itself, but it’s worth trying to pick a clear day to do the hike.
If you think the hike might be too challenging, you could consider hiking to Laguna Capri and back. My El Chalten trekking guide discusses alternative hikes.
