The hiking season in El Chaltén runs from October to April. But the town lives all year round, and so do the trails: in winter you walk with crampons. For this page we did not use brochure lines but ten years of weather data (2016 to 2025) for the town, and what we have seen every day since 1995.
The year in one table
| Month | High / low | Daylight | Very windy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15° / 7° | 15.7 h | 10 |
| Feb | 16° / 7° | 14.2 h | 8 |
| Mar | 13° / 6° | 12.4 h | 8 |
| Apr | 10° / 3° | 10.6 h | 6 |
| May | 7° / 0° | 9 h | 4 |
| Jun | 4° / -2° | 8.2 h | 4 |
| Jul | 3° / -3° | 8.6 h | 6 |
| Aug | 5° / -2° | 10 h | 7 |
| Sep | 7° / -1° | 11.8 h | 7 |
| Oct | 9° / 2° | 13.6 h | 10 |
| Nov | 12° / 4° | 15.3 h | 11 |
| Dec | 14° / 6° | 16.2 h | 10 |
Average 2016 to 2025 for the town (ERA5 reanalysis, Copernicus). Very windy: days with gusts over 60 km/h. Grey rows: the Park’s winter.
Season by season
- Summer (December to February)
- The best time to hike: up to 16.2 hours of daylight and highs around 15°C. It is also the windiest time and when the town is full. Book rooms and treks ahead.
- Autumn (March and April)
- For us, one of the best times of year. The wind eases, there are fewer people, and in April the lenga trees turn red and yellow, depending on the year. Days get shorter: about 10½ hours of light in April.
- Winter (May to September)
- Snow in the forest, a quiet town, little light (about 8.2 hours in June). You can still hike, but crampons and poles are required in the Park. Many shops close or open less.
- Spring (October and November)
- The season begins. Days stretch fast and there is still snow up high. It is the time of the strongest gusts: leave yourself spare days.
The wind
In El Chaltén the wind matters more than the rain. From October to January there are about 10 days a month with gusts over 60 km/h in town, and up at the viewpoints it blows much harder. In May and June there are about 4. Hence the usual advice: leave spare days in your trip and pick the calmest one for the high trails. Read more →
So, when should you go?
- If you want long days
- November to January.
- If you want less wind and fewer people
- March and April.
- If you want the autumn colours
- The second half of April, though it changes every year.
- If you want snow and silence
- June to August, with crampons and winter clothes.
And whenever you come, check the mountain forecast: it tells you which day suits each trail. Read more →
Laguna de los Tres18.3 km · +880 m · 8 to 10 h · from USD 228
Laguna Torre16.6 km · +500 m · 7 to 8 h · from USD 203
Questions
What is the best month to visit El Chaltén?
For hiking, November to April. For less wind and fewer people, March and April. For long days, December and January.
Is it cold in El Chaltén in summer?
Fairly cool: in January highs are around 15°C and lows around 7°C. Up high, with the wind, it feels much colder. Always bring a warm layer.
Can you visit El Chaltén in winter?
Yes. The trails stay open but with ice and snow: the Park requires crampons and poles. There are few hours of daylight and many shops close.
When is El Chaltén least windy?
In autumn and winter. In May and June there are about 4 days a month with strong gusts; from October to January, about 10.
When do the trees change colour?
The lenga trees turn red and yellow in autumn, mostly in April. The exact date changes every year.