Attractions:

There are many amazing hikes in El Chaltén for you to embark on! Once you arrive, I recommend stopping at the Visitor’s Center to pick up a map of the surrounding area. The electronic version can be found here (click the map titled “Senderos”). This map lays everything out very nicely and came in handy many times during my visit to El Chaltén. The two main hikes travelers prioritize are Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre. Both are beautiful in their own right, but if you only have time to do one, choose Fitz Roy. I highly recommend making time for both though!

• Fitz Roy (Laguna de Los Tres): This 20km (or 12.5 miles) round-trip trail is easy to follow and takes 8-9 hours to complete. To start this hike, walk to the northwest side of town. There, you can’t miss the sign that says “Sendero al Fitz Roy”. If you ask anyone where to find this hike, they will point you in the right direction. Once you start the hike, the first 3km have a tough incline. The next 4km are flat and enjoyable. The last 3km are challenging; expect this last 60-90 minutes to be very difficult, rocky, and steep. Do not let this deter you! I promise you the viewpoint at the end is well worth it! Upon reaching the end, you will have a beautiful view of Fitz Roy (the mountain that inspired the Patagonia brand logo) standing confidently over a glacial lake. From here, you can walk 10 minutes further to get a viewpoint of yet another glacial lake in the distance. You cannot visit El Chaltén without doing this hike!

• Laguna Torre: Compared to Fitz Roy, this hike is the easier of the two. The 18km (or 11-miles) round-trip trail is extremely well-marked and takes 6-7 hours depending on your pace. Upon reaching the end, you can spend an hour or two relaxing on the lake and soaking in the mountains in the background. This entire trek is absolutely beautiful; I highly recommend!

• Chorrillo del Salto Waterfall: If you are looking for an easier, shorter hike, this one is for you! The waterfall is less than 4km from town and the majority of the hike is very flat. Begin this trek by starting on the trailhead towards Laguna de Los Tres (at the end of Avenida San Martín) and follow the signs for “Chorrillo del Salto”. The hike takes between 2-3 hours round-trip.

• Glacier Huemul: This hike is 37km (23 miles) outside of town and easiest to reach by renting a car. From town, drive to Estancia Lago del Desierto and park here (there is a 300 ARS entrance fee). From the parking lot, the hike is 2 hours round-trip and of medium difficulty.

• Sendero Loma del Pliegue Tumbado: This hike is not as popular as Fitz Roy or Laguna Torre but offers views just as amazing! It is known for being quite difficult since the majority of the hike is an upward climb (nearly 1,000m in total). The 24km (15 miles) round-trip hike takes 8-9 hours and begins at “Guardaparque Ceferino Fonzo”. There is no tree cover on the back half of the trek; be prepared for a lot of sun/wind exposure!

• Other attractions to stop by include: Mirador de las Águilas, Lago del Desierto, Viedma Glacier Cruise, Laguna Capri, and De Las Vueltas River Canyon Rafting.