El Chalten: Trekking Trails and Mountain Views

El Chalten combines mountain panoramas with trails suited to very different day plans: from a walk through the Andean-Patagonian forest to trekking routes involving longer hikes. Viewpoints such as Mirador Laguna Torre and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado offer different perspectives on the landscape. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, the mix you want of short walks near town, longer hikes and cultural discoveries can be a good starting point for your choice.

Trails to Viewpoints and Lagoons

The walk to Mirador Laguna Torre begins in the town centre. The trail runs for 5 kilometres through the Andean-Patagonian forest; the stated walking time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. From the viewpoint, you can look out over the valley of the Fitz Roy River. The Grande Glacier and Cerro Torre lie in the background. If you are looking for a viewpoint with a sweeping panorama, Loma del Pliegue Tumbado offers a 360-degree view of Lago Viedma, the Cerro Torre valley and Fitz Roy.

The lagoons also offer different kinds of outings. The route to Laguna Capri starts in the north of town and takes 3 hours and 30 minutes in total for the round trip. Laguna Capri is a viewpoint overlooking Cerro Fitz Roy. The one-way walk to Laguna de Los Tres is listed as taking four hours. This route reaches the closest point on the trekking trails from which Cerro Fitz Roy can be viewed. The one-way walking time is a different reference for planning your day than a time given for a round trip.

Another trekking route leads to Laguna del Cerro Torre. After 11 kilometres from El Chalten, it reaches the shore of the lagoon and follows the course of the Fitz Roy River. The trail to Laguna Torre also leads to De Agostini campsite. The route from Loma del Pliegue Tumbado to Laguna Toro is listed as approximately 15 kilometres and around 12 hours for the round trip.

Nature and Discoveries Around Town

The circular trail to Mirador de Los Cóndores y Águilas begins at the town entrance, by the National Park visitor centre. Condors and eagles can be observed along the loop. If you are interested in the natural surroundings, you can also explore Circuito Verde – Lo Natural: it connects visitors with the landscape and flora around El Chalten and highlights the relationship between the community and nature. Many mountain trails in and around El Chalten pass through forests and along rivers.

The El Chorrillo del Salto loop, located near El Chalten, has a cycle path. The El Chorrillo del Salto waterfall is nearby: it is 20 metres high and 4 kilometres from town. When planning your outings, you can choose between mountain trails, viewpoints and a waterfall. Boat trips and outings on other watercraft are also available in El Chalten. Sport fishing is regulated by the Province of Santa Cruz; the required permits can be requested through the official fishing website.

History and Choosing Your Destination

The historic Circuito Azul – Lo Histórico leads to important sites that tell the story of El Chalten’s origins and development as a town, as well as events that shaped its identity. Historical and cultural tours are also offered in El Chalten. These complement the nature experiences with an opportunity to learn about the town’s history.

To get there, take the western turnoff from Provincial Route RP 41 in the northern zone and follow 95 paved kilometres to El Chalten. If you are mainly planning walks such as the trail to Mirador Laguna Torre, you can search for holiday accommodation in El Chalten itself. For longer trekking days, the listed distances and walking times are useful planning references. This lets you tailor your accommodation search to the outings that interest you most.

You can also discover other destinations: El Calafate, Charles Fuhr, Lago San Martín, Lago Viedma, Colonia Francisco Perito Moreno and Los Antiguos.

For the broader travel overview: Departamento Lago Argentino.