Day hiking from El Chaltén
El Chaltén is the gateway to the Fitz Roy Massif in Los Glaciares – and some world class day hikes leading straight from your hotel to the mountains and glaciers.
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Reasons to go to El Chaltén
- Soak up the laidback atmosphere of El Chaltén in the heart of Los Glaciares, enjoying its funky bars and cafes, while looking up at Mount FitzRoy above the town
- Hit the trails straight from your hotel on a series of unbeatable day and multi-day hikes to Laguna de los Tres, Cerro Torres and beyond
- Camp in the shadow of Mount Fitz Roy to watch the sunrise over its peak by a turquoise glacial lake
- Get wild on the Huemul Circuit trek, climbing remote mountain passes and past glaciers to sleep next to the Bay of Icebergs
- Kayak on the still waters of Lago del Desierto or saddle up to follow the mountain bike trails by its shores
El Chaltén image gallery
El Chaltén town and the Fitz Roy massif
The road to El Chaltén
Day hiking to Mount Fitz Roy
Cerro Torre day hike
Autumn colours at Cerro Torre
Laguna de Los Tres day hike
Mount Fitz Roy on a day hike from El Chaltén
The Huemul Circuit trek
Sunrise on the South Patagonian Ice Field Expedition
Climbing Cerro Mojon Rojo near El Chaltén
Our Favourite Treks from El Chaltén
Select a route to view stats
Laguna de los Tres
Laguna de Los Tres is the hike to do in Los Glaciares National Park. Coined “the hike to the logo,” this route takes you to the lookout for Fitz Roy, the mountain that gives its outline to the Patagonia brand.
Route Distance
20km | 12.4 miles
Route Elevation
+804m | 2,638ft
Route Length
8-9hrs
Huemul Circuit
One of the best and most challenging multi-day treks in Los Glaciares National Park. Windy mountain passes, steep terrain, but your rewards are some of the best views of Viedma Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Route Distance
55km | 34 miles
Route Elevation
+2191m | 7188ft
Route Length
4 days
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado is the best way to get off the beaten track in Los Glaciares. This hike is a favourite of local guides’ and gives you the zoomed out perspective of the entire mountain range.
Route Distance
20km | 12.4 miles
Route Elevation
+1,084m | 3,556ft
Route Length
8-9hrs
Ice Field Expedition
This is more than just a trekking adventure, this is an expedition style trip. Looping around the Los Glaciares Massif with Fitz Roy towering above you. You’ll sleep at the feet of Cerro Torre and enjoy a few days of the Huemul Circuit as you exit by the Viedma Glacier.
Route Distance
68km | 42 miles
Route Elevation
+2128m | 6982ft
Route Length
8 days
Laguna Torre
Cerro Torre is the most popular out-and-back hike from town, with an initial ascent to the first viewpoint and then a moderate, undulating path to the iceberg-filled waters of laguna Torre.
Route Distance
18km | 11.2 miles
Route Elevation
+382m | 1,253ft
Route Length
7-8hrs
Piedra del Fraile
A beautiful hike that takes you a little more off the beaten path than others in the region. Stunning mountain views throughout the hike and a great route for avoiding the crowds.
Route Distance
6.5km | 4 miles
Route Elevation
+68m | 223ft
Route Length
2hrs
There’s so much more to El Chaltén and Los Glaciares National Park. You have so much history and culture - the pioneers, the climbers - and you can still feel that in El Chaltén today. You’ve got famous mountaineers, famous climbers and they’re walking the same streets that someone going for their very first trek is also walking.
Meet Sarah Patagonia Trekking Expert
What to see and do around El Chaltén
Day hiking around Mount Fitz Roy
El Chaltén’s unparalleled location makes it one of the world’s best destinations for day hiking in the mountains.
Laguna de Los Tres is El Chaltén’s most celebrated day hike, taking you past the epic Piedras Blancas glacier to an unearthly turquoise glacial lake overlooked by the craggy peak of Mount Fitz Roy.
The second most popular day hike is to Cerro Torre, whose narrow pinnacle points to the heavens, while sheltering an extraordinary lake bobbing with icebergs.
The Loma del Pliegue Tumbado route is a slowly ascending day hike to a series of extraordinary panoramas across the entire Fitz Roy massif.
Between day hikes, El Chaltén also has a series of beautiful short trails to viewpoints to explore closer to town.
Day hiking from El Chaltén
Multi-day hiking trips beyond Mount Fitz Roy
The day hikes of Laguna de Los Tres and Cerro Torre can easily be joined together with an overnight camping stop to form a popular two day trek with fantastic mountain sunrises and sunsets.
For those looking to push themselves a little more, the four day Huemul Circuit is undoubtedly one of the best ways to explore the national park. It involves ascents of the dramatic Viento and Huemul passes, takes you hiking alongside the Viedma glacier and wild camps on the shores of the Bay of Icebergs.
The ultimate route in El Chaltén is the eight day South Patagonian Ice Field Expedition which loops around the back of Mount Fitz Roy and involves snowshoeing and dodging crevasses on the South Patagonian Ice Field itself. It requires a high level of fitness and willingness to adapt to unpredictable conditions. The challenges shouldn’t be underestimated but the rewards are immense.
Trekking on the South Patagonian Ice Field
Harriet says
I've spent over 500 days trekking in the Andes, Himalayas, Caucasus and Alps, but nowhere beats El Chaltén for day hiking. Where else can you walk straight out of your hotel onto the trailhead and be sat next to a glacier and a mile high granite spire to eat your lunch?
Harriet Pike Head of Swoop Patagonia
Rock Climbing & Mountaineering around El Chaltén
Climbers have been coming to the Fitz Roy massif since before El Chaltén was even founded.The many large granite faces its mountains make it the perfect launchpad for climbers and mountaineers, with many one day ascents available.
Cerro Madsen (5925ft/1806m) near Laguna Torre is a suitable introductory climb for beginners, along with Cerro Vespignani (7040ft/2146m),climbing at glacier-level. For those looking for a more technical challenge, Cerro Electrico (7405ft/2257m) is a perfect choice.
Multi-day ascents are also available. Gorra Blanca (2910) stands guard over the Ice Field – a physically demanding climb, but also one of the less-technically challenging peaks. Cerro Solo (6630 ft/2221m) offers a more technical ascent.
Climbing Cerro Mojon Rojo near El Chaltén
Kayaking & biking around El Chaltén
Kayaking is available in several locations close to El Chaltén. A favourite is at Lago del Desierto – a 90 minute from the town, where you can combine paddling on the lake with a short hike to the Huemul hanging glacier.
The northern stretch of the Rio de La Vueltas offers gentle paddling suitable for beginners that takes you past mountains and swathes of lenga forest. Further upriver where the canyons narrow, the river builds in size and strength to sections of adrenaline-pumping Grade 4 rapids that are perfect for whitewater rafting. There are further kayaking opportunities on the river at Rio La Léona between El Chaltén and El Calafate.
The scenic road from El Chaltén to Lago del Desierto is also perfect for trail biking, especially if you’re heading away from town to take advantage of the prevailing winds. Waterfalls, small lakes and sweeping mountain vistas can all be enjoyed from the saddle.
Kayaking on Lago del Desierto near El Chaltén
Swoop says
Most people spend a minimum of three days in El Chaltén to make the most of the day hikes. However, if you're an experienced hiker we recommend you spend longer to really make the most of the off the beaten track trails – as well as soaking up the town's fantastic atmosphere.
Explore more of Los Glaciares
Multi-Day Trekking in Fitz Roy
Los Glaciares offers extraordinary multi-trekking adventures, sleeping under the stars to explore Mount Fitz Roy, hanging glaciers and hidden valleys.
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Multi-Sport Activities in Los Glaciares
Los Glaciares has a host of multisports adventure activities on offer, from exploring on horseback or mountain bike to kayaking, rock climbing and more.
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Perito Moreno Glacier Tours
Perito Moreno glacier is one of Argentina’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, to be experienced by boat, kayak or even by hiking with crampons across its frozen surface.
Discover MoreExploring El Chaltén town
El Chaltén town sign in front of the FitzRoy Massif
One of the great attractions of hiking around Fitz Roy is getting to spend time in El Chaltén itself.
Although it’s little more than village-sized, El Chaltén in the hiking season can feel a lot like the centre of the outdoor and adventure sports universe. Its streets have a host of funky cafes and bars to relax in as well as all the outdoor gear shops you’ll need if you want to buy extra supplies. On top of this, the local food scene is booming and chefs flock here from Buenos Aires for a taste of the mountain lifestyle.
El Chaltén an incredibly laidback place with a ‘frontier town meets rustic ski resort’ vibe. You’ll find plenty of first time hikers, serious trekkers and avid mountaineers here, all looking forward to adventure or sharing stories from the trail. When the mountains are this close, there’s always something to talk about over a craft beer or glass of malbec – all before you get ready to get out hiking again the following morning. It’s the kind of town where you can easily spend an extra day or so just soaking up between trails.
With so many hikes within easy reach, El Chaltén has little need for formal attractions, but make time to visit the Capilla de los Escaladores, a simple chapel paying tribute to the climbers and trekkers lost in the mountains in modern times.
Swoop says
When book your trip with Swoop, we'll provide you with our own unique town guide to El Chaltén, with all the inside knowledge on places to eat and drink and things to see.
El Chaltén image gallery of El Chaltén
El Chaltén trips scored 4.5/5 from 407 reviews
If you happen to be in Chalten, get a completos from the food truck if it's there - you won't regret it.
Travelled: November 2017
Sonia - Canada
El Chalten was our favourite town. Loved the funky, hippy, healthy vibe of the place.
Travelled: March 2017
Ellen and John - Georgia
Review:
Where to stay in El Chaltén
One of the greatest attractions to El Chaltén is being able to walk straight from your hotel door onto a hiking trail and the town has plenty of accommodation options to choose from. According to your taste and budget options include basic guesthouses (hosterías) charming B&Bs, alpine-style lodges and upmarket hotels.
If you want to range slightly further from El Chaltén, you can find a number of excellent luxury lodges for total seclusion. There are also several excellent estancias close to El Chaltén if you're after more of a gaucho experience.
There aren't refugios on the hiking trails around El Chaltén in the same way as you'll find in Torres del Paine, but there are some excellent upmarket camping (or glamping) options near to El Chaltén.
Glamping at Chaltén camp
How to get to El Chaltén
El Chaltén is 135 miles (215km) north of El Calafate and its airport – the main gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. There are regular buses between the two, though as El Chaltén's bus station is on the edge of town it's often easier to take a shuttle or private transfer direct to your hotel. The journey takes around three hours.
The road from El Calafate to El Chaltén is a particularly scenic route, passing close to Lago Viedma before the massed peaks of the Fitz Roy range loom above you in the final approach to the town. Rarely does a mountain range so dramatically announce its arrival. If you're driving this route, you can break the journey with a stop at the petrified forest at La Leona, roughly halfway between the two towns.
The road to El Chaltén from El Calafate
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