Laguna Torre: what the trail is like and how it differs from Laguna de los Tres
The other big hike in El Chaltén: longer than it looks on the map, but without the tough climb at the end. What it is like and which to do first.
· Booking Directo, El Chaltén
Laguna Torre is the other big hike in El Chaltén. It ends at a grey glacier lake, with icebergs floating in it and Cerro Torre in front, if the clouds let you see it. It is long but kind: the effort is at the start and then the trail goes almost flat.
The hike in numbers
- Distance: 17 to 20 km round trip, depending on how far you go.
- Time: 6 to 8 hours with stops.
- Elevation gain: 400 to 600 metres in total, almost all in the first hour.
- Trailhead: on the west side of town, a few blocks from the centre.
- Difficulty: moderate.
What the trail is like
The first part climbs through the forest and the Río Fitz Roy valley to the Cerro Torre viewpoint. It is the hardest part, and from there you can already see the peak and the glacier at the back, if it is clear. Many people short on time go that far and turn back.
After that the trail is almost flat: lenga forest, wet meadows and the riverbank, up to De Agostini camp. A few more minutes and you are on the moraine, with the lake below. If your legs still have something left, a path follows the moraine a few more kilometres and takes you closer to the glacier.
Up on the moraine the wind can be very strong. Be careful near the edge, and do not walk on the ice or on the icebergs at the shore.
Laguna Torre or Laguna de los Tres
| Laguna Torre | Laguna de los Tres | |
|---|---|---|
| Round trip | 17 to 20 km | 20 to 22 km |
| Time | 6 to 8 hours | 8 to 10 hours |
| The hard part | The first hour | The last hour: 400 m in a little over a kilometre |
| What you see | Cerro Torre, glacier and icebergs | Fitz Roy up close, green lake |
If you only have one day and you are fit, Laguna de los Tres is the postcard you came for. If the forecast shows strong wind up high, or you want an easier day, Laguna Torre. With two days, do both: the second day's entry costs half. The other one is explained in Laguna de los Tres: what it is like and what to pack.
What to pack
- Layers and a windproof jacket: at the lake the wind comes down off the glacier.
- Hat, gloves and sunglasses.
- Water (at least a litre) and food for the day: there is nowhere to buy anything on the trail.
- Hiking boots. Poles if coming down is hard for you.
- A bag for your rubbish.
When to go
Leaving early gives you a better chance of seeing Cerro Torre, which often clouds over in the afternoon, and less wind. As with any hike from town, check the forecast the night before and keep a spare day. The weather month by month is in best time to visit El Chaltén.
The park entry fee
The trail 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 is 50% off. You buy it online on the national parks portal.
Questions
How long is the Laguna Torre hike?
Between 17 and 20 km round trip from town, depending on how far you go past the lake.
How many hours does it take?
Between 6 and 8 hours round trip with stops. At a good pace, about 2 to 2 and a half hours each way.
Is it easier than Laguna de los Tres?
Yes. It climbs 400 to 600 metres in total, almost all at the start, and it does not have the steep final section of Laguna de los Tres.
Laguna Torre or Laguna de los Tres?
If you only have one day and you are fit, Laguna de los Tres. If you want something easier, or it is windy or cloudy up high, Laguna Torre. With two days, do both.
Do I need to pay to enter?
Yes, it is the same Los Glaciares National Park. A second day within 72 hours costs half, so it is worth doing it together with Laguna de los Tres.
