Fitz Roy ExpedicionesEl Chaltén, since 1995Guided treks in El Chalténsince 1995
Laguna Torrefrom USD 203 per personPick a date

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A group on the moraine, with Cerro Torre behind

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  • On foot

Laguna Torre

Out and back on foot from El Chaltén

distance
16.6 km
elevation gain
+500 m
highest point
639 m
duration
7 to 8 h
difficulty
Moderate

Trail conditions: Take care ·

BookUSD 203The trail and the map Coming as a group? Ask for our group rate

Stretch by stretch

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

Download the track (GPX)
El ChalténLaguna Torre
  • On foot

8.2 km · height 421 a 642 m

Route measured on our own track. Touch the profile to see the height at each point.

The numbers

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

Walking
16.6km
Total ascent
+500m
Total descent
−500m
Lowest point
435 m
Highest point
639 m
Steepest stretch
11 %average grade over 1 km
Steeper than 15 %
1.2 km
Walking time
7 to 8 h
Difficulty
Moderate

The trek

No transfers: we walk out of town until we stand in front of Cerro Torre.

We follow the Río Fitz Roy into the valley, through lenga forest and natural viewpoints where Cerro Torre slowly shows itself.

Cerro Torre above the lake, with an iceberg
Cerro Torre above the lake, with an iceberg

Then the forest opens into a huge glacial basin. The lake sits under the Torre’s wall, with the Grande Glacier falling into the water and icebergs drifting.

Easier than Laguna de los Tres, but the valley wind is serious: the guides know where to stop and when to go on.

How the day goes

  1. Walk out of town
  2. Río Fitz Roy valley and lenga forest
  3. Cerro Torre viewpoint
  4. Moraine above the lake and the Grande Glacier
  5. Back the same way

What is included

  • Professional mountain guide, in Spanish or English
  • VHF radio

Extra, if you need it

  • Packed lunch

Worth knowing

  • The itinerary may change with the weather or trail conditions.
  • A good level of fitness is recommended.
  • Small groups.
  • Tell us beforehand about dietary needs, allergies or medical conditions.
  • We send the packing list once your booking is confirmed.
  • Private departures are available.
  • For safety, the guide may change or call off the route if the mountain asks for it.

Trail guide

Laguna Torre hike from El Chaltén: the complete trail guide

The hike to the foot of Cerro Torre: flatter than Laguna de los Tres, with icebergs on the lake and a glacier falling into the water.

Laguna Torre sits at 636 m, at the foot of Cerro Torre (3,128 m), inside Los Glaciares National Park. It is the other great classic of El Chaltén and the easiest of the long ones: it has almost no steep climbs. What it does have is wind, because the valley looks straight at the Ice Field. And Cerro Torre often hides in the clouds, so it pays to choose the day well.

The numbers

RouteDistanceTimeClimb
From town, one way10 kmabout 3 h 30250 m
There and back, our track16.6 km7 to 8 h500 m in total
To the Maestri viewpoint, one way12 kmabout 4 h 30300 m

One way from town and the Maestri viewpoint: official Park figures. There and back: measured on our own track.

Where it starts

Careful, some websites get this wrong: the Laguna Torre trail does not start at the same place as Laguna de los Tres. It starts on the west side of town, at the end of Los Charitos street, by Avenida Llao Llao. It is signposted, and within minutes you are climbing the slope.

Stop by stop

Measured on our own track, from town:

  1. 0 kmEl Chaltén
  2. 0.9 kmMirador Cascada Margarita
  3. 2.8 kmMirador del Torre
  4. 7.9 kmDe Agostini
  5. 8.3 kmLaguna Torre

Almost all the climbing is in the first part, up to the Mirador del Torre, where the peak appears for the first time. After that the trail runs along the Río Fitz Roy valley, through forest and wet meadows, almost flat. The last metres cross De Agostini camp and climb onto the moraine: suddenly you have the lake, the icebergs and the Grande Glacier falling into the water.

Cerro Torre above the lake, with an iceberg
Cerro Torre above the lake, with an iceberg

The Maestri viewpoint

If you arrive with energy and good weather, you can carry on along the moraine beside the lake to the Maestri viewpoint: about 2 km more each way, according to the Park. It is rocky and usually very windy, but the view of the glacier is much closer. Come back the same way.

Climbing the moraine towards Cerro Torre
Climbing the moraine towards Cerro Torre

When to go

October to April, like everything in El Chaltén. Laguna Torre is a good choice when there is high cloud over Fitz Roy: the trail is lovely anyway, and the lake with its icebergs does not depend on the summit being clear. In a strong westerly, the lake gets very cold; bring a real warm layer even if it is warm in town. Read more →

Water, toilets and camp

Water
There are streams on the way; according to the Park, the water is pure. Bring a bottle.
Toilets
The only dry toilet is at De Agostini camp, near the lake.
Camp
De Agostini is booked and paid per night through the Park’s Friends Association. No fires.

The park fee

1 day3 days7 days
Foreign visitors$ 50,000$ 100,000$ 175,500
Argentine nationals$ 25,000$ 50,000$ 87,500
Santa Cruz residents$ 8,000$ 16,000$ 28,000
Students (Argentine ID)$ 15,000··

Argentine pesos per person, since 1/6/2026. Paid by QR or card; no cash at the booths.

With a guide or on your own

It is a clear trail and you can do it alone. With a guide you add the story of Cerro Torre (one of the most argued-about peaks in climbing), the names of what you see and someone watching the weather for you. We walk straight out of town, no transfer.

Not sure whether to do Laguna Torre or Laguna de los Tres? We compare them side by side. See →

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.

Loading the forecast…

Laguna Torre: questions

How long is the Laguna Torre hike?

7 to 8 hours with stops: 16.6 km out and back from town.

How hard is Laguna Torre?

Moderate: about 500 m of climbing in total, with no very steep stretches. The valley wind can be strong.

Is there a 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.

Is a transfer needed?

No: we walk straight out of town.

What do you see at Laguna Torre?

Cerro Torre and its spires above the lake, with the Grande Glacier falling into the water and icebergs drifting.

What does the guided hike include?

A professional mountain guide, in Spanish or English, and a VHF radio. We walk out of town. The packed lunch is optional.

When is the best time?

The season runs October to April: November to February has 14 to 16 hours of daylight; March and April bring less wind and autumn colours. In winter (May to September) you walk with crampons and poles, which are required.

Laguna de los Tres or Laguna Torre? · 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

A group on the moraine, with Cerro Torre behind
Cerro Torre above the lake, with an iceberg
Laguna Torre on an overcast day, with fresh snow
Climbing the moraine towards Cerro Torre
Fitz Roy at night, under the stars

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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