El Chaltén is known as the Argentine hiking capital and is a picturesque city surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and impressive glaciers.
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Trekking in Los Glaciares National Park
El Chaltén is located within Los Glaciares National Park, which offers a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels. The most popular routes are the Fitz Roy, the Cerro Torre and the Laguna or Desert Lake.
Excursion to the Viedma Glacier
From El Chaltén you can hire an organized excursion to the Viedma Glacier, which is one of the largest in the region, offering impressive views of the ice and the surrounding landscape. You can hike on the glacier or simply enjoy the views from a boat.
City walk
El Chaltén is a small, but very picturesque town, with a variety of shops, restaurants and cafes. Taking time to walk through its streets and enjoy the atmosphere is a very pleasant experience.
This city takes its name from the Chaltén hill that Francisco Pascasio Moreno baptized as Fitz Roy in honor of the captain of the HMS Beagle, Robert Fitz Roy, who crossed the Santa Cruz River in 1834.
Hiking and walking trails
We are only going to mention a few. In this article we simply intend to present the multiple options of activities that El Chaltén offers you.
Tower Viewpoint
It is a short and low difficulty walk through the valley of the Fitz Roy River to the famous panoramic viewpoint of the Solo hills, the Adela range and the Cerro Torre massif. We clarify that there are other low intensity walks to do such as the one to the eagle and condor viewpoints. To get to the Torre viewpoint there is a path that goes through a ñire forest and takes you to the Margarita viewpoint.
Upon arrival, you will have a panoramic view of several peaks, among which the two great stars around El Chaltén stand out: Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. As well as the Margarita Waterfall, which gives meaning to the name of the viewpoint. If you continue for another hour you will reach the Mirador del Cerro Torre, one of the two most spectacular viewpoints in the area.
In the photo, Cerro Torre is the pointed spire in the distance to the right of the glacier. The snow-capped peak to the left of the glacier is Mount Solo. Looming over the hill in the upper right corner is Mount Fitz Roy (3,359 m).
Chorrillo del Salto
Easy, short hike that goes into the low hillside forest, until you reach a beautiful waterfall more than 20 meters high.
It takes an average of 1 hour 40 minutes to walk through it. It is a very popular region for hiking, so you are likely to meet other people while you are in the area. The best time to visit this route is from October to April.
Huemul Lagoon
It is a short trek of low difficulty that you can do self-guided. It starts from the Desert Lake Campground, and the trailhead is located next to the parking lot where the route ends. Once you are up there is an excellent view of the entire Río de las Vueltas valley. Then you cross a lenga forest.
From there, if the weather permits, we have an excellent view of the north face of Fitz Roy and Desert Lake from above.
You advance a few more meters and you arrive at the place with a perfect view of the Huemul Glacier separated from us by a beautiful round turquoise lagoon. The trail ends at the edge of the Lagoon. This trail crosses private property and is maintained by the Estancia Lago del Desierto, so there is a cost to do it. It lasts approximately 45 minutes one way.
Lagoon of Three
It is the most popular trekking although it is not easy. The trail is spectacular, it takes you between 8 and 11 hours depending on your physical condition. There are several alternatives but to get to the lagoon you do have to do a climb that is hard (quite a bit).
Capri Lagoon
It will take you approximately 3 hours to get there and is relatively easy. From the shore of the lagoon you will have a fantastic view of Cerro Chaltén or Fitz Roy and its peripheral spiers, a place that invites you to stay and contemplate one of the classic postcards of El Chaltén.
From there you can return to the town or continue a few more steps along the lagoon until you reach the Laguna Capri Base Camp.
Solo Mountain [Cerro Solo]
Cerro Solo of 2,221 m is located very close to El Chaltén from where you can see its steep icy slope very well.
It is one of the easiest to climb in the area and offers magnificent views of Mounts Fitz Roy and Torre. It must be done with appropriate equipment, and it is essential to register in advance at the national park office.
Kayaking on the Río de las Vueltas
The Río de las Vueltas is a popular place for kayaking, with crystal clear waters and stunning views of the mountains.
Fly fishing
El Chaltén is a great place for fly fishing, with many streams and rivers in the region.
You can hire local guides and there are also fishing excursions aimed at both advanced anglers and beginners in the Río de las Vueltas or Lago del Desierto.
FAQs
When should you visit El Chaltén?
You can visit it all year round, although it is ideal from October to April and avoid winter when you can have trails with a lot of snow.
How to get?
BY PLANE. The closest airport is El Calafate International Airport and from there you continue by bus to El Chaltén (210 km / 2 hours). From Buenos Aires there are daily flights to El Calafate that last approximately 3 hours.
BY CAR. National Route No. 3, which borders the Atlantic coast, is the busiest (paved along its entire length) and National Route No. 40 parallels the Andes Mountains (with stretches of gravel).
El Chaltén is an ideal place for those who love nature and outdoor activities. Whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginner, El Chaltén offers something for everyone. And when you’re not exploring Los Glaciares National Park, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy. From horseback riding to fishing or simply relaxing in one of the cozy accommodations.