The teeny mountain town of El Chaltén in Patagonian Argentina is known for its epic hikes, including the Laguna Torre trail. This incredible trail offers jaw-dropping views of the impossibly blue Glacier Grande and the spiky towers of Cerro Torre, one of the most iconic mountains in the area. Hiking around El Chaltén has recently gotten a bit trickier these days, so if you want to experience these spectacular views for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about trekking along the Laguna Torre trail.
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About the Laguna Torre Trail
- Length: 11.1 miles (17.9 km)
- Elevation gain: 1,873 feet (571 meters)
- Difficulty: Challenging—to be honest, in my opinion, the only really challenging thing about this trail is its length.
- Trail map
How to get to the Laguna Torre Trail
The trailhead is located here on the western side of El Chaltén, Argentina, in the famous Los Glaciares National Park.
How to get to El Chaltén, Argentina
There is no airport in El Chaltén itself, so you can either get there by bus or by car.
By bus
Most travelers fly into the closest major airport, El Calafate International Airport in El Calafate, Argentina, and then grab a two and a half hour bus from there. You can purchase bus tickets here.
Insider tip: If you want to score some of the best views of arguably the most famous mountain in South America, Mount Fitz Roy, as you’re approaching El Chaltén, be sure to book tickets for the front row of the second floor of the bus, which offer panoramic views of these iconic mountains. I’d also recommend booking tickets in the morning, when the mountains are illuminated by the sun.
By car
Many travelers that are short on time opt to get a rental car while in Patagonia to more efficiently get from place to place.
In full transparency, I don’t think you really need a rental car in El Chaltén (or, really, most places in Patagonia!). El Chaltén is quite walkable (although there is a small parking lot for the Laguna Torre trailhead!) and there’s affordable public transit, like buses, to get between destinations and to most popular trails and attractions.
Still, if you have the budget for it, it definitely will provide the maximum freedom and flexibility to enjoy your Patagonia itinerary!
How to get to the Laguna Torre trailhead
The official trailhead is pretty walkable from most accommodations in El Chaltén—in fact, it was only about a three minute walk from our Airbnb!
As mentioned above, there is a small parking lot, with room for about 15 or so cars, if you need it.
Alternatively, you can join a guided tour here, like this option or this two-day option, which combines Laguna Torre with El Chaltén’s most popular hike, Laguna de Los Tres (including a stay in a glamping tent!).
Most hikers definitely don’t need a guide here—the trail isn’t technically challenging at all. However, it is extremely poorly marked in sections, with lots of social trails leading every which way, and going with a guide can be a great opportunity to learn more about the flora and fauna of this special corner of the planet.
Insider tip: It’s worth mentioning that there are a couple of unofficial trailheads, like this one, that meet up with the main pathway. These are often poorly marked, but may be a good option if you need parking, but the lot for the official trailhead is full.
How much does the Laguna Torre trail cost?
Up until fairly recently, the Laguna Torre trail and most of the other hikes in El Chaltén were totally free.
However, in October 2024, the Argentinian government imposed new entrance fees for Los Glaciares—45,000 ARS (or around $38 USD) per non-Argentinian person per day. You can either purchase the tickets online ahead of time or head to a ranger station in town, like the one at the Laguna de los Tres trailhead, to purchase them in person (cash or Visa credit cards are accepted).
Luckily, there are a few discounts available for travelers that will be visiting Los Glaciares (which includes the popular Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate) for multiple days.
For example, if you’re going to visit the park for two consecutive days, you can get the second day 50% off (you’ll need to purchase tickets for both the first and second day at one time and in person, such as at the Laguna de los Tres trailhead, plus tell the attendant that you want to use this discount to have it applied).
Alternatively, you can purchase a Flexipass in person or online, which offers you 33% off your entrance fee if you plan on visiting Los Glaciares three times within a six month period. My husband, Justin, and I purchased this option to hike two days in El Chaltén and to visit Perito Moreno (which is also part of the national park).
At the time I’m writing this article, there isn’t a ranger stationed at the Laguna Torre trailhead confirming whether you’ve purchased a ticket. However, I’d still recommend purchasing one. If you’re visiting a new country and electing to do an activity there, you should expect to pay the required fee. Not purchasing an entrance ticket, in my opinion, is akin to stealing. Plus, you never know if and when you’ll run into a ranger on the trail!
What to expect along the Laguna Torre trail
From the trailhead to Mirador Cerro Torre
From the trailhead, you’ll start climbing uphill through a wide valley, surrounded by dense shrubbery. The first mile or so (about 2 kilometers) of the trail is definitely the steepest section, with a few rocky scrambles along the way.
About half a mile (0.8 km) into your hike, you’ll reach Mirador Cascada Margarita, with views of a waterfall cascading down into a canyon and into emerald green waters of the Rio Fitz Roy.
From here, the trail leads mostly downhill until about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) into the trail, where there’s a steep uphill climb to reach Mirador Cerro Torre. This viewpoint offers jaw-dropping vistas of the pinnacles of Cerro Torre and its massive glacier in the distance. If you’re short on time or just don’t feel like hiking very far, this can be a great turnaround point.
From Mirador Cerro Torre to the final scree field
From Mirador Cerro Torre, the trail flattens out, with an extremely gradual uphill climb. The trail mostly winds through open fields and a lenga forest, following along the path of Rio Fitz Roy.
About 4.3 miles into the trail (7 km), you’ll reach a fork.
The path to the right leads to the de Agostini campsite before continuing on to a ridgeline overlooking Laguna Torre. So if you’re camping along the trail (more on this below!), you should follow this pathway and drop off your heavy packs before making the steep final climb up to the lake.
Alternatively, the path to the left continues through the forest until you reach the base of a rocky scree field about 5 miles (8 km) into the trail—the final push until you finally reach Laguna Torre!
Laguna Torre
Once you make the steep climb up to the top of the scree field, you can either follow paths that lead to the left or the right.
The path to the left heads downhill, to the shore of Laguna Torre, with epic views of icebergs floating in the glacial lake and, beyond, the spires of Cerro Torre towering above.
Alternatively, the path to the right climbs along an elevated ridgeline, to Mirador Maestri, which offers in-your-face views of Glacier Grande and Cerro Torre. Justin and I have tackled some of the very best hikes in Patagonia and, in my opinion, the views from Mirador Maestri are some of the most stunning we’ve seen!
Once you’re done taking in the views here, simply retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
When to hike the Laguna Torre Trail
The best time to hike the Laguna Torre Trail is from December through March, which is summertime in Patagonia. You have a better chance of getting clear skies and pleasantly warm temperatures during this time of year, plus you’ll have longer daylight hours to enjoy the trail.
Summertime is also, by far, the busiest time in El Chaltén. Justin and I visited in February and were pleasantly surprised by how few hikers there were on the Laguna Torre trail, especially as compared to the nearby Laguna de Los Tres, where we easily passed well over a thousand hikers. So I wouldn’t worry too much about crowds here!
Spring (September through November) and fall (April through early May) can be a bit more unpredictable. You might luck out with nothing but a clear blue sky or you might not get so lucky with unusually cold and snowy conditions. If you do have some flexibility in your schedule, autumn can be a really lovely time to visit El Chaltén—the lenga (Patagonian birch trees) forests along the trail are a beautiful golden color during this time.
The trail is open year round, so you can absolutely hike this trail in the wintertime. However, you should be prepared to encounter a considerable amount of snow, mud, and ice along the trail, so come prepared with microspikes and a willingness to turn around if the trail is too sketchy.
Camping along the Laguna Torre trail
Although the entrance fee to Los Glaciares is a bit steep, in my opinion, there is one really cool thing about it—you’re allowed to camp for free at the campgrounds in the park, including the de Agostini campground, located just about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to Laguna Torre.
You don’t need a permit or reservations to stay here—all of the campsites are first come, first serve. However, you will need to bring everything you’ll need for the duration of your stay, including shelter, food, and water (pssst… if you’re new to backcountry camping, we have a whole packing list for beginner backpackers on our sister site!).
Many hikers combine the Laguna Torre and the Laguna de los Tres Trail, which also has its own campground, into either a one or two night backpacking trip. This route is definitely an awesome way to knock out two of the best hikes in El Chaltén in a single trip. Here’s a trail map for this circuit if you’re interested!
What to bring on the Laguna Torre Trail
When Justin and I hiked in El Chaltén, we noticed a lot of newbie hikers—for example, people who were hiking with inappropriate footwear or absolutely no water.
In my opinion, the Laguna Torre trail is a doable hike for any level of hiker, so long as you’re in decent shape. However, given Patagonia’s unpredictable and, at times, harsh conditions, this is still a trail you MUST have the appropriate gear for.
So, with that in mind, here’s some items you should be sure to include on your Patagonia packing list for the Laguna Torre trail (and lots of other hikes in this special corner of the planet!):
Trekking poles
These are definitely helpful on the last push up the rocky scree field to the Laguna Torre overlook.
Refillable water bottle
Justin and I each have one of these enormous Nalgene bottles and take them pretty much everywhere.
Waterproof hiking boots
This hike is LONG and has a number of rocky and uneven sections where the support and traction that proper boots provide are absolutely essential. Plus, while we didn’t experience this on the trail when we hiked it in February, I’ve read that the trail can get super muddy during rainier periods. Justin has this pair of hiking boots and I use these.
Warm and waterproof layers
Before visiting Patagonia, I always heard the weather was unpredictable here and, boy, is it ever! It’s not unusual for the weather to oscillate from sunny to rainy to snowy and back to sunny in less than an hour. So, even if the weather seems nice in El Chaltén, I’d recommend bringing a warm jacket and a raincoat (like this option for men and this option for women).
Sun protection
A significant portion of the trail is exposed to the sun, so pack sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses to protect your skin.
Snacks
If you’ve recently hiked in Torres del Paine National Park, you might be disappointed here—there’s no snack stands along the trail!
Bugspray
During warmer parts of the year, it’s not uncommon to encounter horseflies, which have a really nasty bite. Insect repellents with DEET, like this option, do a decent job of keeping them away.
Toilet paper and baggies
The only bathroom on the Laguna Torre trail is in the de Agostini campground, but it is in ROUGH shape (just thinking about the smell in there makes my eyes water). If nature calls while you’re on the trail, come prepared with toilet paper and baggies to pack out any waste you create on the trail.
I hope you like the Laguna Torre trail as much as we did—it’s our favorite hike in El Chaltén! Do you have any questions about this trek? Let us know in the comments below!
