El Chalten: Hiking Trails and Mountain Views

El Chalten brings together trekking routes, viewpoints, and cultural trails. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, the different trails and time estimates can help you plan your outings. This lets you get an idea in advance of which destinations interest you and how much time you would like to set aside for them.

In the northern zone, the western turnoff from provincial road RP 41 leads to El Chalten via 95 kilometers of paved road. Road conditions can change seasonally, so check them before setting off.

Viewpoints with Different Vistas

From Mirador Laguna Torre, you can look out across the valley of the Fitz Roy River; the Grande Glacier and Cerro Torre lie in the background. Loma del Pliegue Tumbado offers a 360-degree panorama of Lago Viedma, the Cerro Torre valley, and Fitz Roy. The two viewpoints therefore highlight different aspects of the landscape.

Laguna Capri is also a viewpoint overlooking Cerro Fitz Roy. The route to Laguna de Los Tres reaches the closest point on the trekking trails from which Cerro Fitz Roy can be seen. When planning your routes, it is worth distinguishing between these viewpoints and trekking destinations: not every view of Fitz Roy involves the same hiking time.

Hiking Times and Trekking Routes

The walk to Mirador Laguna Torre starts in the town center and passes through Andean-Patagonian forest. The viewpoint is reached after five kilometers and one hour and 15 minutes. The route to Laguna Capri starts in the north of town and takes a total of three hours and 30 minutes round trip. The stated time for Laguna de Los Tres is four hours each way—so distinguish this from a total time for the round trip.

The trekking route to Laguna del Cerro Torre reaches the shore of the lagoon after 11 kilometers from El Chalten and follows the course of the Fitz Roy River. The trail to Laguna Torre leads to De Agostini Campground; check its current operating status and trail conditions in advance. Also check current trail conditions for the other routes.

For another point of comparison when planning your time, the route from Loma del Pliegue Tumbado to Laguna Toro is about 15 kilometers long and takes approximately 12 hours round trip. For Laguna Toro, the stated time is for the entire round trip, whereas for Laguna de Los Tres it is the time each way.

Nature, Circular Trails, and Local History

The circular trail to Mirador de Los Cóndores y Águilas starts at the town entrance, by the national park visitor center. You can watch condors and eagles along the trail. Ask at the visitor center about its current arrangements. The El Chorrillo del Salto waterfall is also nearby: it is 20 meters high and four kilometers from town. The nearby El Chorrillo del Salto circular trail has a bike path.

Trips by boat or other watercraft, as well as historical and cultural tours, are also offered in El Chalten. Specific providers and schedules may vary; check the tour options for your travel dates. For historical topics, the Circuito Azul – Lo Histórico takes you to important sites that tell the story of the town’s origins and development, as well as events that have shaped its identity.

The Circuito Verde – Lo Natural focuses on the natural surroundings of El Chalten. The landscape, flora, and relationship between the community and nature are at its heart. The two tours thus explore different themes: one covers local history, while the other focuses on the natural environment and the relationship between the community and nature.

Discover more destinations: Los Antiguos, El Calafate, Lago San Martín, Charles Fuhr, Lago Viedma and Colonia Francisco Perito Moreno.

For the broader travel overview: Departamento Lago Argentino.