Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the national park's visitor centre at the entrance to El Chaltén, a path climbs west through scrub and up rocky steps to the Mirador de los Cóndores. It looks down on the village and the Río de las Vueltas, with Monte Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre behind on a clear day. Back at the junction below, a second path climbs south-east over open ground to the Mirador de las Águilas, which faces the other way, over the Patagonian steppe to the long blue sweep of Lago Viedma. Return the same way.
It is 5.2 km there and back with 166 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: short climbs on a clear, rocky path.
The park charges for its El Chaltén trails, with tickets sold online only; the Los Cóndores portal at the visitor centre covers both viewpoints. Both are fully exposed to the wind, and in winter the rocks can be icy.
The viewpoints are popular at sunset and sunrise, when the light catches Fitz Roy. Andean condors are often seen over the cliffs.
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
- Los Cóndores looks over El Chaltén to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre; Las Águilas looks east over the steppe to Lago Viedma
- Andean condors are often seen riding the wind over the cliffs of the valley
- Lago Viedma, some 80 km long, is fed by the Viedma Glacier
- Both viewpoints start from the park's visitor centre at the entrance to the village
Getting there
Start: Visitor centre car park. -49.33729, -72.88089
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.