Loma del Pliegue Tumbado

From the national park's visitor centre at the entrance to El Chaltén, the path heads south-west across the Patagonian steppe and crosses a stream on a footbridge. It climbs steadily through lenga forest, then leaves the trees for open, stony ground, swinging west along a broad ridge. The walk ends at the viewpoint below the top of the hill, which on a clear day looks across to Cerro Torre and Monte Fitz Roy above Laguna Torre, and east over Lago Viedma. Return the same way.

It is 17.2 km there and back with 883 m of ascent; allow about 7 hours. The grade is Hard: a long, sustained climb, rough and stony near the top.

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. The ridge is fully exposed: in a strong westerly the park advises against going up at all.

Carry plenty of water, as there is none above the forest. The higher summit beyond the viewpoint is a loose scramble and not part of this walk.

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.