El Chalten is a stunning small town in Los Glaciares National Park, one of the most beautiful spots in Patagonia.
Known as the hiking capital of Argentina, El Chalten is a haven for hiking and outdoor lovers. The beautiful town boasts world-class hikes and along with Torres Del Paine (in Chile), it’s one of the best hiking destinations in South America.
Hiking in El Chalten had been at the top of my bucket list for a long time. After years of planning, the stars finally aligned, and I spent an entire week exploring the many hiking trails in El Chalten as part of my backpacking trip to Argentina.
In this El Chalten trekking guide, I’ve shared the best day hikes in the area. This includes full-day hikes and shorter hikes for those who don’t want to spend a full day on the trails.
The area is mainly famous for the iconic Fitz Roy / Laguna de Los Tres hike, but as you’ll discover in this guide, there are so many other epic hiking trails to explore. From the spectacular panoramic views of Loma del Pliegue Tumbado to watching Condors at Mirador de Los Condores, there is a hike to suit everyone in El Chalten.
Note: the article below is based on visiting El Chalten without a car. All the day hikes mentioned below are accessible on foot from the main town.
The best time to go hiking in El Chalten
The peak season in El Chalten is between November and March. This is, without a doubt, the best time to go hiking.
While El Chalten can technically be visited all year round, there is a clearly defined hiking season during the summer months. The shoulder season months of October and April are also possible, but the trails may be more unpredictable.
The summer months can see strong winds, but the trails are generally accessible with little snow or ice. Peak season does mean busy and crowded trails, but if you get on the trails early you shouldn’t have an issue.
Winter hiking in El Chalten is generally not possible unless you have the correct equipment and an experienced guide. Many of the trails are covered in ice and snow.
The best day hikes in El Chalten
As Argentina’s hiking capital, El Chalten has no shortage of day hikes. You could easily fill a week tackling the many trails this incredible area has to offer.
Here are the best day hikes in El Chalten. Each of these hikes will require a full day.
Mount Fitz Roy (Laguna de Los Tres hike)
Overview
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
The Mount Fitz Roy trek is arguably the most famous in El Chalten and all of Patagonia. This incredible full-day hike gets you up close and personal with the iconic Fitz Roy.
Also known as Laguna de Los Tres, this challenging hike boasts some of the most spectacular mountain scenery I have ever seen anywhere in the world. If there is one hike you do in El Chalten, make it this one.
The first portion of the hike is a steep slope with beautiful views of the Las Vueltas River and valley. After about an hour, the hike levels out as you walk through a forest and catch your first glimpses of Fitz Roy and the Piedras Blancas Glacier.
You’ll eventually reach the Poincenot Campsite and here, the real work begins. The final kilometre of the hike is steep (400m elevation gain) and very slippery, with lots of loose rocks and scree/gravel. The track also becomes very exposed to the elements here. You may benefit from taking hiking poles for this section.
Once you reach the top, the hard work will pay off. The views of Fitz Roy and Laguna de Los Tres are breathtaking.
It took me 3 ½ hours to reach the main viewpoint, but I didn’t take any rest stops. You can easily spend an hour at the top admiring the views, eating lunch, and taking all the photos!
I suggest only doing this hike on a clear day. Someone I met in a hostel did it on a cloudy day and saw nothing.
While the Fitz Roy hike isn’t overly technical, it’s very long. The last kilometre includes a challenging rock section. I think the hike is doable for anyone who has hiked before and has relatively good fitness, but it’s not one to take lightly. Make sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, layers, and sun protection.
Tip: if you have the energy, take a detour on the way back to the Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint. This adds about 40 minutes of hiking but it’s flat and well worth it. I also recommend going via Laguna Capri on the way back down.
The hike begins from the far end of Avenida San Martin. There is a parking lot and ample signage so it’s hard to miss.
Laguna Torre
Overview
Length: 11 miles / 17.8 km
Elevation gain: 487 m / 1600 ft
Terrain: dirt and some climbing over rocks
Difficulty: medium (easy, but long)
Time to complete: 5-8 hours
Another one of the most popular hikes in El Chalten is the Laguna Torre hike. This is a lot easier than Laguna de Los Tres/Mount Fitz Roy, but it still has some spectacular views. It’s a great alternative for anyone who is not sure they can manage Fitz Roy.
This popular hike takes you to Laguna Torre. The glacial lake is surrounded by towering mountains, including Cerro Torre, and is absolutely beautiful. Although it was cloudy on the day I hiked to Laguna Torre, it was still worthwhile.
The hike has a few up-and-down steep parts but is overall much easier than the Fitz Roy hike. There is one rocky part where there are chains to help you, but it’s not overly technical. I saw people of all ages and abilities doing this hike.
It took me six hours to complete the hike, which included an hour at the lake to eat lunch and take in the views. There is an exposed section of the trail known to be very windy. I had no issues on the day I visited, but I took layers to be safe.
The start of the main trail for Laguna Torre is just off Avenida San Martin and is well-signposted. There is a parking lot for those driving.
Laguna Torre vs Mount Fitz Roy: If you only have time for one hike, go for Mount Fitz Roy (Laguna de Los Tres). Laguna Torre is a good alternative for those who are not sure they can do Fitz Roy.
Tip: it’s possible to like Laguna Torre with the Fitz Roy Hike, but this is not something you could do in one day (unless you’re a super hiker!).
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Overview
Length: 11.4 miles / 18.3 km
Elevation gain: 1128 m / 3700 ft
Terrain: dirt and loose rocks
Difficulty: difficult
Time to complete: 6 to 8 hours
The Loma del Pliegue Tumbado hike in El Chalten is one of the area’s hidden gems. I can’t understand why it isn’t more popular.
Instead of getting you close to the famous Patagonian mountains, Pliegue Tumbado offers incredible panoramic views. You’ll walk through the mountains above Laguna Torre and have a bird’s-eye view of the lake, plus stunning views of Fitz Roy.
It’s quite a challenging hike, as it’s uphill most of the way. There are also some rocky and slippery parts. However, I would say it’s easier than Fitz Roy.
Tip: this is only a hike to do on a clear day. The mountains are in the distance and even with a bit of cloud covering them, you won’t see anything.
There are two main viewpoints on the hike. Both offer the same view, but the second one is slightly higher. To reach the second viewpoint, there’s quite a steep rocky section which can often be covered in snow and ice. The top viewpoint is beautiful, but it’s not that much different from the one slightly lower down. It’s certainly possible to hike to the first viewpoint and turn around.
Note: this hike can be very exposed and windy. It’s also not as popular or well-maintained as other hikes in the area. Make sure to go prepared with plenty of water, snacks, layers and an offline version of the trail download. I suggest using All Trails for this.
Laguna Sucia
Overview
Length: 13.8 miles / 22.2 km
Elevation gain: 772 m / 2532 ft
Terrain: a range of dirt, scramblings, river crossing and some bouldering
Difficulty: difficult
Time to complete: 6 – 9 hours
Laguna Sucia is another full-day hike in El Chalten. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to do this thanks to a change in the weather. But if I ever go back to El Chalten, it’s certainly on the top of my list.
The Laguna Sucia hike isn’t anywhere near as popular as the other hikes mentioned in this list of the best hikes in El Chalten. The trail is not well-maintained and there is bouldering, river crossings and scrambling involved.
If you do attempt the hike, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of Laguna Sucia, Fitz Roy and the surrounding mountains. This trail is also much quieter than other hikes in the area.
Tip: Before starting this hike, I recommend visiting the Ranger Station at the entrance to El Chalten to check the trail’s status. It’s not uncommon to see landslips and closures, and the river crossing can also make it impassable. Recent reviews on All Trails are another way to get an idea of the trail conditions.
Short day hikes in El Chalten
After a short hike in El Chalten? Maybe you want to fill an afternoon or don’t want to do a full-day hike. Well, you’re in luck. El Chalten has several shorter and easier hikes for all abilities.
Mirador de Los Condores
Overview
Length: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km (3.3 miles / 5.3 km with Mirador de Las Aguilas)
Elevation gain: 130 m / 426 ft
Terrain: dirt
Difficulty: easy
Time to complete: 1-2 hours, depending on what you do
Mirador de Los Condores is arguably the most popular hike in El Chalten. This short hike hike takes you to a beautiful viewpoint where you can see El Chalten and on a clear day, Fitz Roy. It’s also a great place to see the iconic Condors (if you’re lucky).
The hike doesn’t take long at all, and you can get to the main viewpoint within 30-45 minutes (or even quicker). It’s quite steep in places but nice and short.
I have to say, the crowds on this hike can be a lot! I left very early in the morning to try and avoid this. On the way down, I was walking past coach loads of people. Many of the day tours from El Calafate will take their guests to do this hike.
If you can, do the full loop to Mirador de Las Aguilas. It’s about an extra 30 minutes each way and is well worth it in my opinion. The views are somehow even better and it’s much quieter as most people stick to the main viewpoint.
Tip: Mirador de Los Condores is a great sunrise hike and sunset spot in El Chalten.
Laguna Capri
Overview
Length: 5.9 miles / 9.5 km
Elevation gain: 430 m / 1410 ft
Terrain: dirt
Difficulty: easy (but steep at the start)
Time to complete: 3 – 4 hours
The Laguna Capri hike is the first part of the Mount Fitz Roy (Laguna de Los Tres) hike. Walking to Laguna Capri is a great option if you want to experience the famous trail but don’t think you can complete the full hike.
You’ll follow the first part of the Fitz Roy trail and eventually turn off to Laguna Capri. The beautiful lake lies in the shadow of Fitz Roy. The trail is quite steep for the first hour but eventually levels off as you enter the forest.
Tip: if you’re hiking the full Fitz Roy trail, you can take a detour via Laguna Capri on the way back down. It’s all very well signposted. I’d suggest visiting Laguna Capri on the way back. You don’t want to miss the views of Fitz Roy in the distance on the way there.
Mirador Del Cerro Torre
Overview
Length: 3.7 miles / 5.9 km
Elevation gain: 228 m / 748 ft
Terrain: dirt and some rocks
Difficulty: easy (but a couple of steep bits)
Time to complete: 3 hours
The Mirador Del Cerro Torre hike is part of the Laguna Torre hike. The short hike takes you to a magnificent viewpoint of Cerro Torre and a beautiful glacier.
The hike isn’t too steep, but there are a couple of parts where you’ll need to climb up some rocks and steeper sections. It’s very easy though and doable for most people.
Tip: Try to do this hike on a clear day; you won’t be able to see much on a cloudy day.
Chorrillo del Salto
Overview
Length: 4.1 miles / 6.6 km (from main trailhead)
Elevation gain: 138 m / 456 ft
Terrain: dirt
Difficulty: very easy
Time to complete: two hours return from the town
The Chorrillo del Salto hike is the easiest hike in El Chalten. The stunning waterfall is a short walk or drive from the main town.
You can take a taxi or drive to the waterfall. There is an ample parking lot, and it only takes a few minutes to reach the waterfall.
Alternatively, you can walk about one hour from the town to the waterfall. It’s a flat hike along a dirt path and through some woods. There are some nice views along the way. If you can manage the hike, I highly recommend it.
The trailhead for Chorrillo del Salto is at the end of Avenida San Martin, the same place as the Fitz Roy hike.
Overall, this is a very easy hike and well worth it.
Multi-day treks in the El Chalten area
If you’re after something more challenging, you could consider a multi-day trek in El Chalten.
This post is dedicated to the best day hikes in El Chalten, but you can combine the popular hikes to create an epic multi-day trek.
One of the most popular multi-day hikes in El Chalten is Fitz Roy (Laguna de Los Tres).
While it’s possible to do the hike in one day, some people may prefer to camp at the Poincenot campsite to break the hike into two. This also means it’s possible to see Fitz Roy at sunrise or sunset.
For something even more challenging, you can do Laguna Torre on the second (or third) day. There is a trail that connects the two hikes making one beautiful route. You could do this over 2 days (one night), but many hikers opt to spread out over 2 nights.
There are campsites close to Laguna Torre, Laguna Capri and Fitz Roy (Poincenot).
Here’s a suggested 3 day/2 night hiking itinerary for El Chalten:
- Day 1: hike to the Poincenot Campsite via the Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint.
- Day 2: hike to Fitz Roy for sunrise (or early morning) before heading towards the Laguna Torre campsite (via Laguna Capri).
- Day 3: hike to Laguna Torre and return to El Chalten.
The Huemul Circuit trek is another multi-day trek in the area. The hike normally takes four days and isn’t one for beginners. I didn’t get the chance to do this, but there’s a fantastic guide here.
Packing list for hiking in El Chalten
I’ve shared a packing list for El Chalten in my guide, but here are a few extra items for those planning to hit the trails.
- Layers. The weather in Patagonia can be very unpredictable. Even if the weather looks sunny and warm, it’s a sensible idea to pack layers.
- Waterproofs. Don’t forget a waterproof coat. The hikes in El Chalten can be long and you don’t want to be caught off guard by rain and spend the rest of the day in soggy clothes.
- Water bottle. The tap water in El Chalten is some of the freshest water I’ve ever had. You can even fill up your bottle in the glacial rivers on some of the hikes.
- SPF protection. The sun in Patagonia is some of the strongest I’ve experienced. Pack plenty of sun cream, a sun cap and sunglasses.
- Hiking boots. You’ll need hiking boots for most of the trails in El Chalten. The terrain can be rough and steep with loose gravel. Ankle support is essential.
- Hiking poles. You may benefit from hiking poles in El Chalten. You can take these with you from home or hire them in the town.
- Day bag. Bring a comfortable day bag that works for long hikes. You’ll need to pack layers, a waterproof coat, food, and drink.
Extra tip: Many of the bakeries and cafes in El Chalten offer packed lunches for hikes. It’s a little on the expensive side, but it takes the worry out of making your own lunch. The packed lunch normally includes sandwiches, empanadas, cake, fruit, and a cereal bar.
Summary: what is the best hike in El Chalten?
If you only have the time to do one hike, Mount Fitz Roy (Laguna de Los Tres) is the winner. This incredible hike is one of the best hikes I’ve done anywhere in the world. The views are simply breathtaking. It’s a tough hike, but the views are well worth the effort.
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado comes in at a close second. I’ve heard some people argue this hike is even better than Fitz Roy. While you don’t get as close to the mountains, you’re rewarded with stunning panoramic views.
Both the Fitz Roy hike and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado trek are tough hikes not to be taken lightly. If you’re after something a bit less challenging, Laguna Torre is a fantastic option. The hike is much easier, and the views are still fantastic.
DISCOVER MY OTHER GUIDES FOR VISITING PATAGONIA
