Laguna Capri: the short hike with Fitz Roy in front of you
Half a day, little climbing and Fitz Roy reflected in the water if the day allows. The hike for your first day, or for anyone who does not want the ten-hour one.
· Booking Directo, El Chaltén
Laguna Capri is the answer if you want to see Fitz Roy up close without the ten-hour hike. In half a day you climb through the forest to a lake with the mountain in front of you, eat something on the shore and are back in town by the afternoon. For many people it is the best hike for the first day.
The hike in numbers
- Distance: about 4 to 5 km each way from town.
- Time: 4 to 5 hours round trip, with stops.
- Climb: about 400 metres, almost all in the first part.
- Trailhead: at the end of Avenida San Martín, on the north edge of town, the same way in as Laguna de los Tres.
- Difficulty: easy to moderate.
What the trail is like
It starts climbing along the hillside with a view over the Río de las Vueltas valley. It is the hardest part, and it is not much. Then it goes into the lenga forest and carries on more gently to the lake. There, on a clear day, Fitz Roy appears whole, on the other side of the water.
If the day is very cloudy, Capri is still a good idea: the forest and the lake are worth the walk, and you have not used up your Laguna de los Tres day waiting for it to clear.
What if I want to keep going?
The Capri trail joins the Laguna de los Tres trail further on. You can use it as your way in and continue to Poincenot camp and the final climb, but it becomes a long day. Everything you need to know for that hike is in Laguna de los Tres.
What to pack
- A windproof jacket and a warm layer: it is windy at the lake.
- Water and something to eat on the shore.
- Hiking shoes or comfortable footwear with a good sole.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses.
The entry fee
It is inside Los Glaciares National Park. From 1 June 2026 the day pass for the El Chaltén entrance is ARS 50,000 general and ARS 25,000 for Argentine residents; a second day within 72 hours costs half. You buy it online on the national parks portal.
Other short options: what to do in El Chaltén without the long hikes.
Questions
How long does it take to get to Laguna Capri?
Between 4 and 5 hours round trip from town, with time to stay a while at the lake.
Is it difficult?
It is easy to moderate: about 4 to 5 km each way with a climb of about 400 metres, almost all in the first part. There are no technical sections.
Can you see Fitz Roy from Laguna Capri?
Yes, straight ahead and quite close, if the day is clear. When the water is still, it is reflected in the lake.
Can I continue to Laguna de los Tres?
Yes: the Laguna Capri trail joins the Laguna de los Tres trail. You can carry on from Capri, but it becomes a long day.
