El Chalten Starter Package (4 Days) *From 283 USD*

Chalten visit

Just a visit to this town lets everyone understand why it has come to be called the Hiking Capital of Argentina. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Saying "Chaltén" in Patagonia is a synonym for mountain, walking, hiking, climbing, outdoors and the list could go on.

The town was created in 1985 as a geopolitical strategy that put an end to the border conflicts with Chile over Lago del Desierto. Ever since its modest origins, this small mountain district has developed according to the typical features of its first denizens: love for the mountain being the first one. Thus, the youngest town in Argentina continued to grow and today, with almost a thousand dwellers that reside there year round, it has a spirit of its own which makes it different from all the other Patagonian towns. For instance, there is no cell phone service by choice of most of its inhabitants.

A dreamed-of place for mountaineers and climbers from all over the world, El Chaltén has been declared the Hiking Capital of Argentina. Beyond this title, there are more than enough reasons for its visitors to set out along its hiking trails. There are plenty of attractions, reached through paths of various difficulties. All of them lead to ideal scenes that seem to become magical sites.

From the air, the town may be seen resting on the mountains by Lake Viedma, whereas one of its natural borders is the well-known Río de las Vueltas (River of the Bends), whose winding light-blue course when the waters run clear grants a supernatural facet to its shores.

El Chaltén is surrounded by ravines that announce the presence of the mountain range and is watched by the Viedma Glacier and the ancient massifs known as Mount Torre and Mount Fitz Roy.

El Chalten Hiking Trails

This are are six outstanding El Chaltén hiking routes to choose from:

1. LOS CÓNDORES AND LAS ÁGUILAS VIEWPOINTS: Distance: 6km (3.5miles)/ Duration: 1.5-2 hours. This is the shortest El Chaltén hiking trail with the most easily accessible miradors (viewpoints). The hike provides an excellent 360° view of the Adela, Torre and Fitz Roy massifs along with the greater Río de las Vueltas valley. It’s not the most dramatic as you won’t get particularly close to any of the landmarks but if you’re short on time and want to see as much as possible then it’s ideal. The well-signed route begins at the visitors centre.

2. LAGUNA CAPRI: Distance: 12km (7.5miles)/ Duration: 3-4 hours. This is an excellent, often over-looked El Chaltén hiking trail providing broad views of Laguna Capri, a glistening blue water lagoon, and its lakeside forest. You can also enjoy great views of 3,405m (11,200ft) Fitz Roy and its surrounding peaks. The trail starts at the northern end of town and soon arrives at a viewpoint facing north along the scenic Río de las Vueltas. The trail then turns westerly where you’ll find an excellent mirador facing the Fitz Roy massif.

3. LAGUNA TORRE: Distance: 24km (15miles)/ Duration: 6-7 hours. This is the classic El Chaltén hiking trail and also the most popular. If you can only do one hike here, do this one. There are two trailheads at El Chaltén, both of which begin with an hour’s steep climb before reaching Mirador Torre and the first vista west towards the icy spire of Cerro Torre at 3,128m (10,262ft). The trail continues along the Río Fitz Roy to the glacial lake of Laguna Torre. If it’s not too windy you can continue along the lake’s northern shore to reach Mirador Maestri with unrivalled views of the tower.

4. LAGUNA DE LOS TRES: Distance: 26km (16miles)/ Duration: 8-10 hours. This El Chaltén hiking trail offers the best views of Fitz Roy and the surrounding glaciers, but it’s also the hardest and longest of the day-hikes. Many choose to camp overnight at one of two campsites (Poincenot and Río Blanco) along the way but it can be done in a day. If doing so, rise early and get a head start. The trailhead starts with a steep climb from the end of Avenida San Martín and ends with the closest view of Fitz Roy’s granite wall and surrounding peaks.

5. LAGUNA DE LOS TRES AND PIEDRA DEL FRAILE: Distance: 58km (36miles)/ Duration: 3-5 days. This is an excellent trekking option for the more adventurous hiker, combining several sections of the various trails surrounding El Chaltén. Follow the route towards Laguna De los Tres as described above, either stopping overnight at Campground Poincenot and rising early for stunning views of Fitz Roy, or continuing to the campsite and refuge of Piedra del Fraile. Either way, the next day is a challenging one up to the climbers’ camp of Piedra Negra.

6. PASO DEL VIENTOS / HUEMUL CIRCUIT: Distance: 65km (40miles)/ Duration: 4-5 days. This is the hardest of the El Chaltén hiking trails and should only be attempted by experienced trekkers. Although only a few kilometres longer than the Piedra Del Fraile route, the terrain is far more challenging and the risk of getting lost much higher. Many trekkers choose to join an organised trekking tour, which includes an optional walk out onto the Hielos Sur icecap. The trail begins at the visitor centre heading towards Rio Túnel. You can spend the night at the Laguna Toro campsite. Day 2 is spent steadily ascending to the white expanse of Hielos Sur where there is sheltered camping available beside Laguna Ferrari. Day 3 contains moderate walking following cairns roughly north-west across the moraine before retracing your steps back to Laguna Ferrari. Day 4 is a cairned route heading south close to the Chile border before arriving at a basic campsite and refuge. The final day is a blister-inducing 25km slog back to El Chaltén.