Fitz Roy ExpedicionesEl Chaltén, since 1995Guided treks in El Chalténsince 1995
Piedras Blancas Glacierfrom USD 180 per personPick a date

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The Piedras Blancas Glacier through the lenga trees

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  • On foot
  • By van · 15,6 km

Piedras Blancas Glacier

Half a day to the glacier hanging off Fitz Roy

distance
9.9 km
elevation gain
+220 m
highest point
671 m
duration
4 to 5 h
difficulty
Moderate

Trail conditions: Take care ·

BookUSD 180

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 EléctricoMirador Piedras Blancas
  • On foot
  • By van

4.8 km · height 449 a 675 m

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

The numbers

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

Walking
9.9km
Transfer by vehicle
15.6km
Total ascent
+220m
Total descent
−220m
Lowest point
449 m
Highest point
671 m
Steepest stretch
11 %average grade over 1 km
Steeper than 15 %
0.5 km
Walking time
4 to 5 h
Difficulty
Moderate

The trek

The glacier everyone glances at on the way to Laguna de los Tres, without the 20 km: half a day, there and back from the bridge.

We take the transfer to the Río Eléctrico bridge and climb through lenga forest, up the Río Blanco valley. A gentle climb, with the valley opening up behind you.

The blue ice of the Piedras Blancas Glacier
The blue ice of the Piedras Blancas Glacier · Photo: amanderson2, CC BY 2.0

At the viewpoint the Piedras Blancas Glacier appears: blue ice and seracs falling from the north cirque of Fitz Roy, between Cerro Madsen and Cerro Eléctrico, with a lagoon at its foot. In summer you see and hear the icefalls.

We stop, eat something facing the ice and walk back the same way to the bridge. About 10 km in all: perfect for the day you arrive or as a rest between two long treks.

How the day goes

  1. Transfer to the Río Eléctrico bridge
  2. Lenga forest and the Río Blanco valley
  3. Piedras Blancas glacier viewpoint
  4. 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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Piedras Blancas Glacier: questions

How far do you walk?

About 9.9 km there and back from the Río Eléctrico bridge, with 220 m of climbing. 4 to 5 hours with the transfer.

Do you go down to the glacier lagoon?

Not on this trek. You see the lagoon from the viewpoint; reaching its shore is an off-trail boulder field we do not do.

How is it different from Laguna de los Tres?

Same start, from the bridge, but it goes to the glacier viewpoint and back. No final climb and no 20 km: half a day.

What is included?

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

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

The Piedras Blancas Glacier through the lenga trees · Photo: MaximoPovolo, CC BY-SA 4.0
The blue ice of the Piedras Blancas Glacier · Photo: amanderson2, CC BY 2.0
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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