Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the small car park at the top of Los Charitos, on the western edge of El Chaltén, the trail climbs out of the village on steps. It soon reaches the Mirador del Cerro Torre, the first view up the valley to the spire, then runs west through lenga forest and across open, stony flats above the Río Fitz Roy. Past the junction with the Madre e Hija trail and the De Agostini campsite, a short climb onto the moraine brings you to the viewpoint over Laguna Torre, with Cerro Torre and its glacier beyond. Return the same way.
It is 17.5 km there and back with 395 m of ascent; allow about 5½ hours. The grade is Moderate: a long day, but on a well-made path with only short climbs.
The park charges for its El Chaltén trails, with tickets sold online only and checked at the trail portals. Westerly winds can be fierce on open ground, and from May to September the paths carry ice, mud and snow, when the park requires poles and crampons. Fires are banned throughout this part of the park, and dogs are not allowed. On windy days the park advises against the open stretch beyond the first viewpoint.
El Chaltén is about three hours by bus from El Calafate, and the village's shops and hostels are a short walk from the trailhead.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Cerro Torre, 3,102 m, is a granite spire whose first ascent beyond dispute was made in 1974 by Italian climbers led by Casimiro Ferrari
- The lake is fed by the Torre Glacier, and icebergs from its front often drift on the grey water
- The campsite by the lake is named after Alberto María De Agostini, the Salesian priest who explored and photographed these mountains
- El Chaltén was founded in 1985, and Congress has declared it Argentina's national trekking capital
Getting there
Start: Laguna Torre trailhead car park. -49.33098, -72.89555
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around El Chaltén: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.