Lago del Desierto and Huemul Glacier

A full day up north, with transfer and the glacier trail

distance: 3.4 km
elevation gain: +230 m
highest point: 737 m
duration: 6 to 8 h
difficulty: Easy
from: USD 220 · ARS 330,000

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The numbers

Measured on the OpenStreetMap route (approximate), with heights from the Copernicus GLO-30 model.

Walking: 3.4km
Transfer by vehicle: 35.9km
Total ascent: +230m
Total descent: −230m
Lowest point: 512 m
Highest point: 737 m
Steepest stretch: 19 %average grade over 1 km
Steeper than 15 %: 1.4 km
Walking time: 6 to 8 h
Difficulty: Easy

The trek

The day for when your legs ask for a break but your eyes do not. No crazy early start and no 25 km to walk.

We drive up route 41, gravel, following the Río de las Vueltas through lenga forest. We stop at Chorrillo del Salto, the waterfall a few minutes from the road.

Fitz Roy from Lago del Desierto · Photo: Florenciabrayer, CC BY-SA 4.0

At Punta Sur, 37 km from town, the trail to the Huemul Glacier begins: a short climb through the forest to a green lagoon with the glacier hanging above it. Many tours leave it out; this one does not.

Then time on the lakeshore, with Fitz Roy seen from the north if the day is clear. If you like, add the boat trip. In the afternoon we drive back to town.

How the day goes

Transfer up route 41
Chorrillo del Salto
Huemul Glacier trail
Lago del Desierto shore (optional boat)
Back to El Chaltén

On foot
By van

1.7 km · height 510 a 741 m

Approximate route: the OpenStreetMap trail to the glacier viewpoint. In blue, route 41 from town.

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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Lago del Desierto and Huemul Glacier: questions

Is it suitable for children or older people?

Yes, for anyone happy to walk gently for a couple of hours. The glacier trail is about 1.7 km uphill through the forest, with steps and roots, and you come down the same way.

How much walking is there?

About 3.4 km there and back and 230 m of climbing, about 2 hours. The rest of the day is the road, Chorrillo del Salto and the lake.

Is the glacier fee included?

No. The trail crosses private land and the fee is paid separately, at the hut where it starts.

And the boat?

The boat trip on the lake is optional. If you want it, tell us when you book and we send you the time and price.

Do you pay the National Park fee?

No: Lago del Desierto is in a provincial reserve, outside the Park.

Can you cross into Chile?

The border crossing is at Punta Norte, at the far end of the lake, and it is a different trip. If you are interested, write to us.

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 boat on the shore of Lago del Desierto · Photo: Jose Galleguillo, CC BY-SA 4.0

The town from the way to Chorrillo del Salto · Photo: Miguel, CC BY-SA 2.0

What happens when you book

The full policy →

01Written confirmationYour place is confirmed once we receive payment and send you the confirmation.
02Meeting point and timeThey come with the confirmation. Depending on the trek, we meet in town or pick you up.
03What to bringWe send you the list: hiking boots with good grip, warm layers, a waterproof jacket, water and food.
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.
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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