El Chaltén hiking trails: Our top 6 tips
El Chaltén hiking trails: Our top 6 tips
We selected six of the best El Chalén hiking trails that offer the most beautiful views of the Andes around Argentina's trekking capital
The hiking trails of El Chalén in Patagonia should be on the wish list of every serious hiker. The trekking capital of Argentina offers access to a network of well-groomed hiking routes with some of the most breathtaking viewpoints on the Alps of the continent.
The routes are sometimes extensive and chaotic (underestimate the ubiquitous winds at your own risk), but the rewards are great. The imposing towers of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre steal the show everyone, but the magnificent Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, which belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a lot to offer.
Best hikes around El Chalén
Most paths are well signposted, but before they set off, it is worth a look at the visitor center, which is only a short walk from the city center. Here you can get a card, check the conditions of the hiking trails, register for climbing or fishing permits and learn more about the other activities in the area.
With options for every taste, six excellent El Chalén hiking routes are available. If you are really brave (or daring), you can choose to complete them all.
1. Viewpoints Los Cóndores and Las águilas
Distance: 6 km (3.5 miles) Duration: 1.5-2 hours
This is the shortest El Chalén hiking trail with the easiest accessible Miradors (viewpoints). The hike offers an excellent 360 ° view of the Massive Adela, Torre and Fitz Roy as well as the larger valley of the Río de Las Vueltas.
It is not the most dramatic because you don't get any of the landmarks particularly close, but if you have little time and want to see as much as possible, it is ideal. The well -signposted route begins at the visitor center.
2. Laguna Capri
Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) Duration: 3-4 hours
This is an excellent and often overlooked El Chalén hiking trail, which offers a wide view of the Laguna Capri, a glittering lagoon with blue water, and its forest on the lake shore. You can also enjoy a great view of the 3,405 m (11,200 feet) high Fitz Roy and the surrounding peaks.
dmitri picchugin fitz roy seen from Laguna Capri
The path begins at the northern end of the city and soon reaches a viewpoint with a view to the north along the picturesque Río de Las Vueltas. The path then turns west, where you can find an excellent Mirador with a view of the Fitz Roy massif.
3. Lagune Torre
Distance: 24 km (15 miles) Duration: 6-7 hours
This is the classic hiking trail of El Chaltén and also the most popular. If you can only do one hike here, do it. There are two starting points in El Chalén, both of which begin with a one -hour ascent to the Mirador Torre, the first outlook to the west towards the icy tip of the Cerro Torre to 3,128 m (10.262 ft).
Guaxinim iceberg on Laguna Torre
The path continues along the Río Fitz Roy to Lake Glacier Laguna Torre. If it is not too windy, you can continue along the north bank of the lake to reach the Mirador Maestri with an incomparable view of the tower.
4. Laguna de los tres
Distance: 24 km (15 miles) Duration: 8-10 hours
This hiking trail in El Chalén offers the best view of Fitz Roy and the surrounding glaciers, but is also the most difficult of the day hikes. Many opt for an overnight stay on one of the two campsites (PoinCenot and Río Blanco) along the way, but it can be done in one day.
If you do this, get up early and get a lead. The starting point of the hiking trail begins with an ascent from the end of the Avenida San Martín and ends with the next look at the high-towering Fitz Roy granite wall, its satellite peak and the shiny Gletschersee Laguna de los Tres.
Read our important guidelines for Fitz Roy-Tage hike for more information.
5. Laguna de Los Tres and Piedra del Fraile
Distance: 58 km (36 miles) Duration: 3-5 days
This is an excellent trekking option for adventurous hikers who combine several sections of the various hiking trails around El Chalén. Follow the route towards Laguna de Los Tres as described above, either make an overnight stay at the PoinCenot campsite and get up early to enjoy a breathtaking view of Fitz Roy, or continue to the campsite and the shelter of Piedra del Fraile.
Class = "Media-Credit"> Mochilaosabatico The landscape of Piedra del Fraile
Either way, the next day is demanding up to the Piedra Negra climbing camp. From here, hikers can admire the impressive north wall of the Fitz Roy. Piedra del Fraile can also be completed as a relatively simple daily hike of 13 km (8 miles) from the Eléctrico Bridge on Provincial Straße 41.
6. Paso del Viientos / Huemul circuit
Distance: 65 km (40 miles) Duration: 4-5 days
This is the most difficult of the El Chalén hiking trails and should only be celebrated by experienced trekkers. Although only a few kilometers longer than the Piedra del Fraile route, the area is much more demanding and the risk of getting lost. Many hikers opt for an organized trekking tour that includes an optional walk on the ice cap of Hielos Sur.
The path begins at the visitor center towards Rio Túnel. You can spend the night at the Laguna Toro campsite. The second day is spent with a constant climb to the white width of Hielos Sur, where a protected campsite is available next to the Laguna Ferrari.
On the third day, they hike moderately by following stone piles about the moraine in a north -west direction before tracing their steps back to Laguna Ferrari. The fourth day leads over stone piles towards the south, near the Chilean border, before you arrive at a simple campsite and a refuge. The last day is a 25 km long journey back to El Chalén.
The essentials
What: Explore the outstanding hiking trails of El Chalén in the Argentine Patagonia.
Where: El Chaltén is a small but expanding city that is well prepared for the annual influx of hikers, trekkers and climbers. There are a number of restaurants, cafés, hostels, lodges, bakeries and minima markets that are distributed all over the city.
Dsaprin/Shutterstock el Chaltén
On our first visit, we stayed in a simple but comfortable El Alamo, where breakfast and WiFi are included. On our second visit we did not stay in El Chalén because there was absolutely no availability. Instead, we stayed in the Hosteria Los Canelos in El Calafate, a three -hour drive away.
Professional tip: Book in advance! The following hotels are well rated on Booking.com.
high-end-switch Suites Hotlless Cerros del Chaltén Boutique Hotelchalten Camp-Glamping with a view (outside the city)
Mittelklassekau Si Aikeapart Guillaumet
Budgetrancho Grandenewen Bed & Breakfast
When: The best time to hike in El Chaltén is between November and March when the weather is most reliable. Regardless of this, the Patagonian climate is unpredictable even in the best times and the weather can change dramatically all year round without warning. Pack the right outdoor clothing and shoes and be prepared for all eventualities.
Class = "Media-Credit"> Atlas & Boots On our second visit we had wonderful weather at the Fitz Roy
like: El Chaltén is 215 km (130 miles) north of El Calafate. A daily bus connection in both directions is available all year round between El Calafate and El Chalén. In the high season (November to March) a third service is also running.
Most travelers to El Chalén come from El Calafate. The bus ride takes about three hours. You can book the public bus or a private transfer.
You can fly from Buenos Aires or Ushaia to El Calafate. Book at skyscanner.net at the best prices.
beautifully written and full of wonderful descriptions and fascinating stories, in Patagonia there is a report on Bruce Chatwin's trips to a remote country looking for a strange beast and his encounters with the people whose fascinating stories stop him on the street
Mission statement: Dreamstime
.