Fitz Roy ExpedicionesEl Chaltén, since 1995Guided treks in El Chalténsince 1995
Laguna Pollonefrom USD 270 per personPick a date

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Cerro Pollone and the Pollone Glacier, which runs down towards the lagoon

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  • On foot
  • By van · 15,6 km

Laguna Pollone

Past Piedra del Fraile, the lagoon below the Pollone Glacier

distance
22.1 km
elevation gain
+380 m
highest point
722 m
duration
9 to 10 h
difficulty
Demanding

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.

Transfer · 16 kmPuente EléctricoPiedra del FraileLaguna Pollone
  • On foot
  • By van

10.7 km · height 448 a 723 m

Approximate route: the OpenStreetMap trail up the Río Eléctrico valley, past Piedra del Fraile and along the Camino a Laguna Pollone. In blue, the transfer from town.

The numbers

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

Walking
22.1km
Transfer by vehicle
15.6km
Total ascent
+380m
Total descent
−380m
Lowest point
449 m
Highest point
722 m
Steepest stretch
12 %average grade over 1 km
Steeper than 15 %
0.6 km
Walking time
9 to 10 h
Difficulty
Demanding

The trek

Where almost everyone turns back, at Piedra del Fraile, we keep going: a couple more hours along the valley floor, to the lagoon the Pollone Glacier leaves below the north face of Fitz Roy.

We take the transfer to the Río Eléctrico bridge and walk west up the valley, along the river, among tall lenga trees. This is the easy part: almost flat, with Fitz Roy slowly showing on the left.

The Río Eléctrico bridge, where the trail begins
The Río Eléctrico bridge, where the trail begins · Photo: Victoria Elmo, CC BY-SA 4.0

We pass Piedra del Fraile, the old climbers’ refuge, and the trail turns rockier. We cross the Pollone stream, which comes down from the lagoon: with little water you step across on stones, with snowmelt it is knee-deep.

We reach Laguna Pollone, at the foot of the glacier of the same name, with Cerro Pollone and the north face of Fitz Roy above. Lunch on the shore, then back the same way. About 22 km: a long day, but with no big climbs.

How the day goes

  1. Transfer to the Río Eléctrico bridge
  2. Río Eléctrico valley and lenga forest
  3. Piedra del Fraile
  4. Crossing the Pollone stream
  5. Laguna Pollone and its glacier
  6. Back the same way

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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Laguna Pollone: questions

How far do you walk?

About 22.1 km there and back from the Río Eléctrico bridge, with 380 m of climbing in all. A long day: 9 to 10 hours with the transfer.

Are there rivers to cross?

Yes, the Pollone stream, which comes down from the lagoon. With little water you cross on stones; with snowmelt or after rain it can be above the knee. The guide decides on the spot where, and whether, to cross.

How is it different from Piedra del Fraile?

Same valley, same start. Piedra del Fraile turns back at the refuge; this trek goes on about 4 km more, over rockier ground, to the lagoon below the Pollone Glacier.

Can you go? Is it private land?

Yes. The valley is outside the National Park and the trail crosses private land that lets walkers through. We confirm when you book whether there is a fee at Piedra del Fraile that day.

What is included?

A mountain guide, in Spanish or English, the transfer to the Río Eléctrico bridge and back, and a VHF radio.

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

Cerro Pollone and the Pollone Glacier, which runs down towards the lagoon · Photo: Masa Sakano, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Río Eléctrico bridge, where the trail begins · Photo: Victoria Elmo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lenga forest with Fitz Roy behind, on the way

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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