Hiking below Fitz Roy
Below the granite crown of Patagonia
The most beautiful part of the Argentine Patagonia is undoubtedly the area around Fitz Roy. The area is interwoven with many hiking trails of varying difficulty, so you can combine here a lot of beautiful hikes. But the main attractions here are two amazing granite towers – Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
Day 1
Arrival to El Chalten
The vast majority of tourists come to El Chalten from bigger El Calafate. Along the way there are nice views of the Patagonian Andes ridge and lakes Argentino and Viedma. If you arrive early, you may manage also a short hike to the outlook points Cóndores and Aguilas, from where is a beautiful view of the town and Fitz Roy. This hike can possibly be managed on the day of your departure.
Drive El Calafate - El Chaltén
Along lakes Argentino and Viedma
More than three-hour lasting bus ride between El Calafate and El Chalten offer varied views on the largest Argentine lakes, barren Patagonian pampa with llamas and infinite ridge of Andes with protruding towers of Fitz Roy. It's such a juncture of two worlds – the mecca of organized tours in El Calafate, where every day crowds of tourists depart to admire the stunning Perito Moreno glacier and national town of trekking in El Chalten, where you can usually meet slightly different types of people. continue reading
El Chalten and surroundings
Tourist heart of Argentina
Small town El Chalten, situated at the confluence of rivers Rio Fitz Roy and Rio de las Vueltas, was established in 1985 to „defend“ discussed border with Chile. Now it is nicknamed as the capital of the Argentine trekking, which is quite appropriate because local hiking trails are really amazing. An ideal starting walk from the town is to the lookouts Condores and Aguilas, where you can make a nice idea about the surroundings and in particular, you can admire for the first time the omnipresent view of Fitz Roy. continue reading
2 to 3 day
To lagoons de Los Tres and Torre
Throughout the area there are two major hikes – to the lagoons de Los Tres and Torre lying below local most beautiful mountains Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. If you are in a hurry, you can manage both these two trips in one long day, but you will probably have to skip other side trips. The second day is ideal for a trip first to the amazing lagoon de Los Tres and then to the ice-covered lagoon Piedras Blancas. This trip can be extended to the river Rio Blanco and return (on foot or by hitchhiking) along the gravel road through the valley of river Vueltas. The third day, set out to the lagoon Torre and then walk the shortcut around lagoons Madre and Hija.
Hike to the lagoon de Los Tres
The way under Fitz Roy
The most beautiful, but also the most frequently walked hike from El Chalten is the one to the lagoon de Los Tres directly under the monumental granite walls of Fitz Roy. Except for this beautiful mountain you can admire on this trip also the view of the river Vueltas and surrounding wilderness. Count with about three hours to get the lagoon. continue reading
Hike to Piedras Blancas
Walk around the lagoon with floes
This two-hour hike around the interesting lagoon Piedras Blancas connects the path under Fitz Roy with northern trail leading along the river Electrico to the lagoon bearing the same name and continues to the pass Marconi and South Patagonian ice field. Except for the beautiful lagoon Piedras Blancas you will see here beautiful forests and make a walk along river Rio Blanco. continue reading
Hike through valley of river Vueltas
Walk along Route 23
The gravel road No.23 connects El Chalten with a port at Lake Desierto. You probably join to it just a short way below Hosteria El Pilar, if you went on a trip around Piedras Blancas and do not want to return the same way back. At least the first half of the trip is worth it – nice views of the river and surrounding mountains. The second half is relatively boring and it is better to try to hitchhike. If you fail, count altogether with 15 km and about three hours’ walks. continue reading
Hike to lagoon Torre
Under the sharpest spike of Glaciares
The second most popular half-day hike from El Chalten is to the lagoon Torre, above which rises the most difficult mountain throughout National Park Glaciares – Cerro Torre (3,102 m asl). The path to these towers leads through picturesque landscape modeled by glacier long ago. There is also a camp at the lagoon Torre and at the same time starting point to the South Patagonian ice field. The walk to the lagoon takes about three hours. continue reading
Hike around lagoons Madre and Hija
Nice connector of tourist trails
If you don´t want to return from Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre the same way, you can use this nice junction of paths leading along the lagoons Madre and Hija. If you set off early in the morning and you have enough energy, you can unite these two trips by this tourist trail together. Along the way, you'll admire both these two beautiful lakes and nice views of Cerro Fitz Roy. But count with about two hours. continue reading
Other possibilities for hikes and treks around Fitz Roy
- Very challenging trek around the entire massif through the Patagonian ice field
- Hike in the direction of mountain Tumbado (1 490 m asl), lagoon Toro or up to pass Viento
- To the lagoon Sucia along the abandoned trail
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