Los Glaciares National Park is known as one of the most beautiful areas in South America. With its towering mountains, stunning glaciers and wild landscape, the region is home to some of Patagonia’s best hikes, including the famous Laguna Torre trek.
The trailhead for this incredible hike is in the small mountain town of El Chalten in the heart of Argentinian Patagonia. I spent a week in El Chalten and it’s easy to see why it’s known as the hiking capital of Argentina. The town has several incredible hikes, including the classic Fitz Roy hike and, of course, the Laguna Torre trek.
Known as one of the best hikes in El Chalten, Laguna Torre rewards visitors with incredible views of Cerro Torre and Glacier Grande. The hike remains one of my favourites in El Chalten and Patagonia. It’s also a lot easier than the Fitz Roy hike, making it a popular choice for visitors.
In this guide, I’ve covered all you need to know about the Laguna Torre hike. This includes an overview, a breakdown of the hike and what to pack.
Laguna Torre Trek Quick Overview
Length: 11 miles / 17.8 km
Elevation gain: 487 m / 1600 ft
Terrain: dirt and some climbing over rocks
Type: out and back
Difficulty: medium(easy, but long)
Time to complete: 5-8 hours round trip
The Laguna Torre hike (also known as the Cerro Torre hike) begins from the town of El Chalten. You’ll find the main trailhead at the end of Los Charitos Street. There’s a small parking lot for anyone driving, but you can easily walk to the entrance from anywhere in the small town.
This beautiful hike is one of the most popular in El Chalten. It’s relatively easy and a great alternative for those worried that Mount Fitz Roy (Laguna de Los Tres) might be too challenging.
The hike leads you to the incredible Laguna Torre, which is at the base of Cerro Torre. There, you can enjoy incredible views of the towering mountains and the stunning Glacier Grande. If you’re lucky, you may also see Mount Fitz Roy peering out on clear days.
The hike is out-and-back, meaning you’ll return the way you came. This can be a little off-putting for some but it’s the case for most hikes in El Chalten.
The summer months of December to March are the best time to hike to Laguna Torre. It’s also accessible in the shoulder season months of April and October. Outside of these months, you may find the trail is inaccessible due to extreme winter weather.
Try to pick a sunny day to hike to Laguna Torre if you can. Having said that, I hiked to Laguna Torre on a cloudy day but still had beautiful views of the mountains and glaciers. Laguna Torre is a better option for a cloudy day than Fitz Roy (you really want a clear day for this one).
How difficult is the Laguna Torre hike?
The Laguna Torre hike is much easier than the nearby Mount Fitz Roy hike (Laguna de Los Tres). There are a few steep sections on Laguna Torre, but once the first hour is out of the way, it’s mostly flat.
The main challenge with the hike is the length. While it’s flat most of the way, the trek is still very long. It took me about six hours to complete the hike, including a break at the lagoon. The official time suggests anything between five and eight hours.
If you’re worried that hiking 11 miles (17.8km) is too far, consider the shorter hike to Mirador del Torre. The stunning viewpoint is 1.5 miles (2.5 km) into the hike and a great point to turn around for those who don’t want to go any further. From here, you can enjoy beautiful views of Cerro Torre and the nearby glacier.
There is also a short section of the hike that requires a little bit of scrambling up rocks. However, it’s not technical and there are chains to help people. I saw people of all abilities easily completing this.
A breakdown of the Laguna Torre hike
Here’s a quick breakdown and recap of the Laguna Torre hike.
To Mirador del Torre
The first two miles of the hike offer a diverse range of scenery. This is also the steepest part of the hike, where you’ll find the rocky section with chains to help you up.
After about half a mile of hiking, you’ll reach Mirador Cascada Margarita, the first viewpoint of the trek. The stunning waterfall and river are to the left of the valley.
Keep pushing on until Mirador Cerro Torre, a beautiful viewpoint of Cerro Torre and the glacier. This is a good point to turn around for those who don’t want to carry on.
Tip: On a clear day, look for views of Mount Fitz Roy peeking out ahead.
Through the forest
After the first hour, the hike generally flattens out (although there are still a couple of steep sections). You’ll walk through a mix of forest and open meadow. The hike here can seem to go on forever, but the views ahead of you will keep you moving.
After a while, you’ll reach a river and follow this for a while until you re-enter the forest.
The final push
The Laguna Torre hike continues through the forest alongside Rio Fitz Roy. You’ll reach a fork in the path which tells you to turn left for Laguna Torre or right for the de Agostini campsite.
I was following the route on AllTrails which told me to go right here. That didn’t seem correct, so I followed the sign and went left (I’m assuming going right creates a loop route, but I didn’t want to risk it).
Once you reach a steeper rocky path, you’re almost there! Keep pushing on and Laguna Torre and Glacier Grande will eventually appear in their full glory. You can walk down to the shores of Laguna Torre or admire it from higher up.
It can get very windy here, so it might be worth walking down to where it’s a bit more sheltered. It’s a beautiful spot for a lunch break.
Mirador Maestri
If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike up to Mirador Maestri. To reach the viewpoint, you’ll need to walk to the right of Laguna Torre up a steep and rocky hill. The path is along a ridgeline, but there are no official signs.
On the day I did the hike, there were strong winds so I decided not to do this part. The path wasn’t obvious, and I could see bad weather moving in.
I spoke to someone in my hostel who had carried on to Mirador Maestri and said it was well worth it.
Multi-day trek to Laguna Torre
It’s possible to split the Laguna Torre hike into two days or even combine it with the famous Mount Fitz Roy trek. Below, I’ve shared the different options that are available.
Overnight hike
If you’re keen to see Laguna Torre at sunrise or sunset, consider staying overnight at the Padre De Agostini campsite. This basic campsite is a short walk from Laguna Torre which makes it a great spot to base yourself for the night.
You’ll need to take your own equipment including a tent, sleeping bag, and food. You can hire this in the town of El Chalten.
The campsite operates on a first-come, first-served basis. If I ever return to El Chalten, I will certainly do this.
Combine with Mount Fitz Roy
The most popular multi-day trek in El Chalten is to combine the Mount Fitz Roy hike (Laguna de Los Tres) with Laguna Torre. The paths connect via Laguna Madre.
The epic hike can be completed over either 2 or 3 days, depending on how far you want to walk each day.
In addition to Camp de Agostini near Laguna Torre, there are two campsites near Mount Fitz Roy: the Poincenot Campsite and Laguna Capri.
For a 3-day route, begin by hiking to Laguna Torre and staying at Camp de Agostini. You can watch the sunset at Cerro Torre. The next day, hike to the Poincenot Campsite before taking on Mount Fitz Roy for sunrise the following day. This is a long trek, but you’re rewarded with incredible views, especially if you visit the lagoons at sunrise or sunset.
If you’re keen to fit the hike into two days, I’d suggest hiking to Laguna Torre and then going straight to Poincenot on day one. You can then dedicate day two to Mount Fitz Roy and returning to El Chalten.
It’s also possible to do the routes in reverse, which I’d personally recommend if you want to get the harder parts out of the way first.
Laguna Torre packing list
The Laguna Torre trek requires some packing preparation. It’s a long day, and there are no facilities on the hike.
Here are a few items I would recommend packing:
- Layers: Even if it’s a sunny day, consider packing several layers. The weather can change quickly in Patagonia. Laguna Torre is also known for its bitterly cold wind. Pack an extra layer or two, including a down jacket.
- Waterproof jacket and trousers (pants): If it does decide to rain, a waterproof jacket will help to keep you dry. Walking in wet clothes on a long hike is not fun (I’ve been there, trust me!).
- Hiking shoes/boots: While the hike isn’t technical or difficult, it’s a sensible idea to have proper hiking shoes or boots with ankle support.
- Sun cap/beanie: Be prepared for all weather and pack a sun hat and a warmer beanie. I found I nearly always needed to wear one or the other.
- Sunglasses and SPF protection: The sun can be very strong in El Chalten, so these items will help protect you.
- Food and water: Don’t forget to take plenty of food and water for the hike. I like to pack a lunch as well as some quick-energy snacks such as sugary candy, chocolate, fruit, and nuts.
- Bug spray: The area can sometimes be overtaken by irritating flies that like to bite you. It’s worth taking some bug spray, just in case they appear. I visited El Chalten in February and luckily didn’t encounter any, but I’ve heard from others they can be there in force.
Other things to know about the Laguna Torre hike
- Prepare for all weather. The weather in Patagonia can be very unpredictable. Even if the forecast says good weather, it’s a sensible idea to pack some extra layers and a waterproof jacket. I found Lagune Torre itself to be extremely windy and cold.
- Watch the wind. The Laguna Torre hike is exposed at times, and the area is known for its strong winds. I’ve heard of people who had to turn back because so much sand and dirt was being blown in their faces. If it’s a very windy day, consider trying again another day.
- There are no toilets on this hike. If you really need to go, make sure you are well away from any natural water sources such as streams or rivers.
- Take plenty of water and snacks. The Laguna Torre hike can take between five and eight hours. Pack plenty of water and food to keep you going.
- Start as early as you can. Laguna Torre is one of the most popular hikes in El Chalten, meaning it can get very busy. This is especially true during the peak season (December to March). Try to get on the trail as early as you can. With long daylight hours during the summer, many people opt to start their hikes mid or late morning. Try to be on the trail by 8 a.m. to avoid the morning rush.
- You don’t need a guide to hike to Laguna Torre. The trail is very well-maintained and easy to follow. I did the hike solo and had no issues. If you’re apprehensive about hiking alone, read my tips for solo hikers post.
Day trip from El Calafate
If you have your own car, it’s entirely possible to hike Laguna Torre as a day trip from El Calafate. The summer months offer long daylight hours, making the trip more than doable (although you should be prepared for a lot of driving and an early start).
El Chalten is approximately a 2 ½ hour drive from El Calafate (I’d allow for 3 hours as you’ll no doubt want to stop for photos).
If you’re looking at getting a coach from El Calafate to El Chalten for the hike, you’ll need to stay at least one night in El Chalten.
Alternatively, you could consider joining an organised day trip from El Calafate to El Chalten. The tours often operate in small groups and give you several hours to explore the town of El Chalten. This tour gives you five hours in the town to go hiking. It might not be enough to do the full hike, but it’s certainly enough to go to the Mirador del Torro viewpoint and back.
Laguna Torre vs Mount Fitz Roy
Are you deciding whether to hike to Laguna Torre or Mount Fitz Roy? This is a common question among many visitors to El Chalten. Perhaps you only have time for one big hike, or perhaps you’re not sure you can manage both.
Whatever your reason for only doing one hike, I’m here to help. If you’ve read my hiking guide for El Chalten, you’ll know that (in my opinion) no hike beats the Mount Fitz Roy / the Laguna de Los Tres hike (although Loma del Pliegue Tumbado comes close).
The Mount Fitz Roy trek took my breath away. It’s one of the most stunning hikes I’ve ever done anywhere in the world. Honestly, if you only have time for one hike in El Chalten, make it Mount Fitz Roy.
Laguna Torre is still incredibly beautiful, and the last thing I want to do is make it sound like it’s not worth it because it really is. If you have time to do both hikes, do both! I did Laguna Torre the day after Fitz Roy and while my legs ached, I still loved it.
It’s worth pointing out that Laguna Torre is much easier than the Fitz Roy hike. While there are a couple of steep parts, Laguna Torre is mostly flat and doesn’t have loose rocks and gravel like Fitz Roy. It is also a little shorter.
Whichever hike you decide to do, you’ll no doubt be blown away by the magnificent views (and hopefully not the wind!).
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