Fitz Roy ExpedicionesEl Chaltén, since 1995Guided treks in El Chalténsince 1995
Cerro Torre to Fitz Royfrom USD 270 per personPick a date

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Laguna Madre and Fitz Roy, on the Madre e Hija trail

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  • On foot

Cerro Torre to Fitz Roy

A one-day traverse by Madre e Hija, never back the same way

distance
24.9 km
elevation gain
+1,090 m
highest point
1,177 m
duration
9 to 11 h
difficulty
Demanding

Trail conditions: Take care ·

BookUSD 270

Stretch by stretch

The trail cut into stretches, measured on the track. Tap one to see it on the map and the profile.

El ChalténLaguna MadreLaguna de los TresLaguna CapriEl Chaltén
  • On foot

24.3 km · height 408 a 1,190 m

Approximate route: our own tracks to Laguna Torre and Laguna de los Tres, joined by the OpenStreetMap Madre e Hija trail.

The numbers

Measured on our own track, with heights from the Copernicus GLO-30 model.

Walking
24.9km
Total ascent
+1,090m
Total descent
−1,103m
Lowest point
413 m
Highest point
1,177 m
Steepest stretch
36 %average grade over 1 km
Steeper than 15 %
4.9 km
Walking time
9 to 11 h
Difficulty
Demanding

The trek

Everyone does Torre one day and Fitz Roy the next, and walks back the way they came. This is the other way round: one day, in a loop.

We walk out of town on the Laguna Torre trail and stop at the viewpoint, facing Cerro Torre. A little further on we leave the trail and turn north.

Lenga forest with Fitz Roy behind, on the way
Lenga forest with Fitz Roy behind, on the way

In the middle we pass the Madre e Hija lakes, which hardly anyone walks by, with Fitz Roy reflected in the water. It is a flat stretch of forest and water, up to Poincenot camp.

From there we climb to Laguna de los Tres, at the foot of Fitz Roy, and walk down to town past Laguna Capri. About 25 km: a long day, but nothing technical.

How the day goes

  1. Walk out of town
  2. Cerro Torre viewpoint
  3. Madre e Hija lakes
  4. Climb to Laguna de los Tres
  5. Down past Laguna Capri to El Chaltén

Wind on the way

It is the first thing we check in the morning. Town can be calm while the lake is blowing hard, so we show both heights.

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Cerro Torre to Fitz Roy: questions

How fit do I need to be?

Good: about 24.9 km and 1,090 m of climbing in the day. There is nothing technical, but it is a long day; if you have done 20 km hikes, you are fine.

Do you reach Laguna Torre?

We see Cerro Torre from the trail viewpoint. Going down to the lake adds about 6 km there and back: if the group is strong, ask us.

Can you skip the climb to Laguna de los Tres?

Yes. The final climb is the hardest part; if it is too much, you wait at Poincenot camp and the day is about 20 km.

What time do we leave?

At 7 in the morning, or a little earlier: it is a long day, 9 to 11 hours. We confirm the time the day before.

What if the weather turns halfway?

The guide decides as we go. From Madre e Hija or Poincenot there is always a shorter way back to town.

Do you pay the Park fee?

Yes: it is inside Los Glaciares National Park. Since 1/6/2026 a day costs ARS 50,000 for foreign visitors and ARS 25,000 for Argentines, by QR or card (no cash). It is not included in the trek.

The best hikes in El Chaltén · 2 to 5-day itineraries · When to visit El Chaltén · The National Park and its fee · How to get to El Chaltén · Short hikes

Photos

Laguna Madre and Fitz Roy, on the Madre e Hija trail · Photo: Christoph Strässler, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lenga forest with Fitz Roy behind, on the way
Fitz Roy reflected in Laguna de los Tres
Standing on a rock in the lake, facing the massif
Fitz Roy above Laguna Capri · Photo: Gagea, CC BY-SA 3.0

What happens when you book

The full policy →
  1. 01Written confirmationYour place is confirmed once we receive payment and send you the confirmation.
  2. 02Meeting point and timeThey come with the confirmation. Depending on the trek, we meet in town or pick you up.
  3. 03What to bringWe send you the list: hiking boots with good grip, warm layers, a waterproof jacket, water and food.
  4. 04If the weather says noThe guide decides. If we cannot go, we move you to the next date or give you credit for another trek.
  5. 05If you need to cancel30 days or more before: full refund; 15 to 29 days: 50%; under 15 days: no refund.

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