Things to do in  El Chaltén

Mt. Fitz Roy, the highest mountain in Los Glaciares National Park, rises 11,171 feet (3,405 meters) above the snow-blown landscape of Southern Patagonia to a granite peak that only serious climbers should consider. This recognizable landmark was named after Sir Robert FitzRoy, who once guided Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle.

The spectacular natural landscapes surrounding the small town of El Chaltén have earned it the accolade of Argentina’s hiking capital—and the trail leading to Laguna Torre makes it easy to see why. The name refers to the hiking route and the glacier lake, which forms part of Los Glaciares National Park.

Jagged snow-covered cliffs and dense woodlands unfold along the hike to the Huemul Glacier, named after the rare huemul deer often spotted in the area. Looking out over the Lake of the Desert (Lago del Desierto), it’s one of the most accessible glaciers in El Chaltén village and a popular Patagonian hike.

Stretching for 607 square-miles (977 square-kilometers) from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field to the western shores of Viedma Lake, Viedma Glacier is Argentina’s largest glacier. As the centrepiece of the UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park, the glacier features towering icebergs and jagged ice cliffs.

So-called because of the majestic condors that frequently fly over it, the Mirador de los Cóndores is one of El Chaltén’s most popular lookout points. The natural balcony offers panoramic views of Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two of the hiking hot spot’s most impressive mountains, and Rio de las Vueltas valley.

Shrouded by native forest and backed by the snow-capped spikes of Mt. Fitz Roy, Laguna Capri is a lovely blue water lagoon in Argentine Patagonia. You can reach it via an easy trail that leads you through woodlands and reveals panoramic views of the De las Vueltas River valley.

Taking you high above the trekking capital of Argentina, Sendero Loma del Pliegue Tumbado is a moderate-to-difficult trail that snakes up to the summits of Pliegue Tumbado, a chain of three rocky peaks that reach a maximum height of 5,085 feet (1,550 meters). This trail is typically less crowded than many other routes that start from El Chalten.

Piedras Blancas Glacier is a low-hanging glacier that descends from the iconic Mt. Fitz Roy in El Chalten, Argentina's trekking capital. While you can’t access the glacier, a famous trail of the same name leads to a mirador with views of the vivid blue ice and the jagged peaks of Mt. Fitz Roy.

Located in El Chalten, the trekking capital of Argentina, Sendero a Piedra del Fraile is considered to be an easy hiking trail, which takes you through the valley of Rio Electrico. The route winds through ancient Patagonian woodland to reveal views of Mt. Fitz Roy and the Pollone glacier.

Shrouded by ancient Patagonian forest, Chorrillo del Salto is a 65-foot (20-meter) waterfall in El Chaltén, Argentina's trekking capital. While the town might be famous for its more challenging treks, the route to Chorrillo del Salto is a short and easy walk through native woodland past gentle streams.

Paso del Viento refers to the stretch of land overlooking Argentine Patagonia’s Southern Ice Field, one of the largest non-polar glaciers on the planet. Accessible via a challenging 3-day trek, Paso del Viento (which translates to Windy Pass) sits at 4,685 feet (1,428 meters) above sea level and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and valleys.