Mount Fitz Roy Patagonia: Laguna De Los Tres Hike (Argentina)

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The Patagonia region of Argentina offers incredible hiking trails, with the most spectacular being the day hike to Mount Fitz Roy and the Laguna De Los Tres!

The entire hike offers stunning views, culminating in the breathtaking sight of Laguna De Los Tres, a brilliant blue glacier lake nestled at the base of Mount Fitz Roy, one of the most remarkable and iconic peaks in South America.

The Fitz Roy trek offers a challenging distance and elevation gain, but it is still manageable for most hikers. Even if you don’t make it to the lakes, you can still capture stunning mountain views from the Fitz Roy Mirador after a moderate hike from the town of El Chalten.

Discover everything you need to know about hiking Laguna De Los Tres, including tips on what to bring, the best time to visit, and how to get to El Chalten.

Quick Facts about Fitz Roy

Hiking Trail: 22 kilometers round trip with an elevation gain of 1,050 meters and a final elevation of 1,175 meters. Expect the hike to take 7 to 9 hours round trip and to be of moderate to hard difficulty.

Stats for the entire hike to Laguna De Los Tres from El Chalten, with a note that the Mirador (viewpoint) is a shorter and easier option.

Location of Mount Fitz Roy

The hiking trail to Mount Fitz Roy is situated near the quaint town of El Chalten, within Argentina’s renowned Patagonia region.

El Chalten offers comfortable accommodations and dining options for visitors, despite its small size, making it easy to access the starting point for this hike from anywhere in town.

Getting to El Chalten: A Guide

The nearest airport for the hike in El Chalten is the small international airport in El Calafate (FTE), which offers direct flights from Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Ushuaia, and other locations. There is no airport in El Chalten.

How long does it take to fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate and what are the options for airlines and airports?

Getting from El Calafate to El Chalten takes about 3 hours by car. You have the option of taking a bus, private shuttle, or renting a car to make the journey. Multiple companies offer bus services with frequent departures.

If you don’t have much time, you can also take day tours from El Calafate to Laguna De Los Tres (more details below).

Top Tours of Fitz Roy in Patagonia

Explore Patagonia with Convenient Day Tours to El Chalten and El Calafate

Experience Fitz Roy Day Tours with Hotel Pickup and Transportation from El Calafate to El Chalten, Plus Optional Lunch

We have utilized GetYourGuide for numerous tours and activities across the globe, and we have had a great experience. We highly recommend it!

Reserve Your Spot: Explore Laguna De Los Tres from El Calafate

What You Can Anticipate on the Laguna De Los Tres Hike

The Laguna De Los Tres hike features mostly flat terrain with some uphill sections at the beginning and end of the trail.

One of the most beloved hiking trails, often completed in a single day but offering campgrounds for those looking to extend their stay and create a loop hike with Laguna Torre.

Exploring the different parts of the Fitz Roy hike and what you can anticipate!

• Embarking on the El Chalten Hiking Adventure

Right from the beginning of the Fitz Roy hike, you’ll be facing an uphill climb. In fact, the first few kilometers make up a significant portion of the total elevation gain for the entire trail.

You will come across fallen trees that provide a comfortable spot to take a break, and there are markers indicating the distance you have covered on the trail.

During the initial portion of the hike, you will predominantly traverse through a forest, with intermittent open areas offering stunning vistas of El Chalten town and the surrounding landscape.

Viewpoint of Las Vueltas River

Upon walking approximately 1 kilometer from El Chalten, you will emerge from the trees and come across a charming viewpoint of the Las Vueltas river (shown above).

Experience your first breathtaking views of the hike, as the river winds through the valley below and mountains surround you on all sides.

The Patagonian wind can be quite intense, making it a place where you might not want to linger for too long. However, it’s still a fantastic location for capturing some fast photos.

Laguna Capri: A Natural Wonder in Argentina

At a distance of approximately 3.3 kilometers into the hike, the trail splits, offering the option to continue on to either Laguna Capri, a beautiful lake, or the Fitz Roy viewpoint.

Consider visiting the viewpoint on the way up and the lake on the way down. If you intend to stay longer, there is a campground at Laguna Capri.

Viewpoint of the Fitz Roy Mountain

The ‘Mirador Del Fitz Roy’ viewpoint offers stunning views after a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) hike from El Chalten.

A clear day offers a stunning view of Mount Fitz Roy and the rugged peaks of Patagonia. Despite their distance, the mountains seem remarkably close from this vantage point. A sign at the viewpoint conveniently identifies all the mountain peaks for visitors.

One of the most breathtaking views in the world, but you won’t see the lake of Laguna De Los Tres until later.

If the weather is cloudy, the view from the viewpoint may be obstructed, but I suggest waiting for the clouds to dissipate or returning later for a clearer view.

I had to make multiple trips to Patagonia due to the constantly changing weather, but it was all worth it when I finally got to see the mountains.

Plenty of space for day hikers to spread out and take photos at this popular viewpoint. It’s also a great spot to enjoy snacks and drinks, with a vault toilet nearby in the forest clearing.

The Mirador Del Fitz Roy viewpoint is accessible with about 1.5 hours of hiking from El Chalten. It’s a great option for those wanting to experience beautiful scenery on a shorter and easier hike compared to the trek to Laguna De Los Tres.

• The Hidden Waterfall of Fitz Roy

Discover a hidden waterfall after a 5.3 kilometer hike from El Chalten, marked on Google Maps and AllTrails.

A charming waterfall near Mount Fitz Roy is just a short 150-meter walk from the main trail, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost.

Experience the Magnificent Waterfall in Person During the Late Summer Months

From Fitz Roy Valley to Poincenot: Exploring the Scenic Route

The majority of the remaining Fitz Roy trek will involve walking along a level valley trail with minimal changes in elevation or obstacles.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the hike is the easiest section, in my opinion. The path is almost completely flat, allowing you to simply enjoy the scenery of Patagonia without exerting yourself.

Throughout the journey, you will have the opportunity to observe ponds, marshes, meadows, and streams flowing through the valley, while the imposing Mount Fitz Roy remains visible in front of you at all times.

There are countless opportunities for taking photos here. During a hike in the autumn, you can enjoy the vibrant colors of fall leaves, particularly red and orange.

Another glacier can be seen in the distance as well. This one is called Piedras Blancas, and there is a side trail to get a closer look if you have the time.

The Piedras Blancas glacier viewpoint involves an additional 2 kilometers of relatively flat walking in each direction.

• Hiking to Laguna De Los Tres

The most challenging part of the Fitz Roy hike awaits after crossing the valley – the ascent to Laguna De Los Tres!

Hiking and climbing a steep slope with loose rocks and gravel for the final 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) is a challenging workout, with an elevation gain of over 450 meters.

Be prepared for a challenging climb up the hill; it’s important to be in good physical shape for this section. Keep an eye out for wet and slippery rocks as you make your way up.

The final stretch of the hike includes several deceptive peaks, and even experienced hikers may take 1.5 hours to complete it. The strong and persistent winds only add to the difficulty.

Feel free to take breaks as necessary, and you’ll have plenty of fellow hikers to provide support, so just keep pushing forward and you’ll eventually reach the summit!

Laguna De Los Tres: Scenic Lake and Lookout Point

The breathtaking Laguna De Los Tres is the ultimate prize at the end of this hike. Its name, meaning ‘Lake of the Three’ in Spanish, is derived from the three majestic peaks that encircle it: Fitz Roy, Poincenot, and Saint-Exupery. Truly a sight to behold!

Enjoy a panoramic view of the lake from the top, then take a hike down the hill for a closer look. The vibrant turquoise color of the lake, caused by the melting glacier water, is truly stunning. Plus, there’s a perfect boulder at the lake’s edge for striking a pose and taking pictures.

Two lakes are present in this area, but to catch a glimpse of the second one (‘Laguna Sucia’), you will need to ascend the small hill by the lake. Be sure not to overlook it! From this vantage point, you can take in panoramic views of both azure lakes, as well as a waterfall, with Fitz Roy nestled in between. This marks the conclusion of the hiking trail.

Only a select few individuals have successfully reached the summit of Mount Fitz Roy, a challenging and perilous feat due to its elevation of 3,405 meters (11,171 feet).

What is the level of difficulty for the Fitz Roy hike?

The majority of the Fitz Roy hike does not pose a significant challenge. I would consider it to be of moderate or even easy difficulty.

One can enjoy breathtaking scenery by hiking to the Fitz Roy viewpoint, which is just a 1.5-hour walk from El Chalten. The trail involves a moderate elevation gain of 330 meters (1,100 feet) and is mostly flat and easy until the final climb to Laguna De Los Tres.

If you make it to Laguna De Los Tres, the hike would be considered difficult. It’s not risky, and you won’t need to use your hands to climb, but it’s a long and strenuous trek with a rough path at the end, making it quite challenging.

The round trip distance from El Chalten to Laguna De Los Tres is approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles), with significant elevation gain in the initial and final two kilometers of the hike, but the remainder of the trail is generally flat and easy.

Fitz Roy: A Suitable Day Hike for All Ages and Abilities

What items should be brought?

What to Pack for the Laguna De Los Tres Hike in Patagonia

When is the optimal period to explore Patagonia?

The ideal time to visit Argentina for this hike is in the spring, summer, or fall. Summer in Argentina lasts from December to February and offers the longest days and optimal hiking conditions, although it is also a busier and more costly period.

March, April, and November are also wonderful shoulder months for travel, despite slightly cooler temperatures. The photos in this travel guide were captured in mid-March, which appeared to be an ideal time. Additionally, there was some beautiful fall foliage, although it hadn’t reached its peak yet.

The ideal time to begin this hike is in the morning, between 6 and 9 AM, to avoid crowds and witness the sunrise casting beautiful colors on the mountain peaks. As the day progresses, more hikers will join, potentially causing congestion on narrow paths such as the final ascent to Laguna De Los Tres.

Don’t rely too much on weather forecasts in Patagonia, as the weather can be very unpredictable. I’ve seen days that were forecasted as ‘sunny’ but the mountain peaks were covered in clouds, and ‘rainy’ days where the mountains were clear for most of the day. The Fitz Roy pictures on this page were taken on a day that was forecasted as ‘rainy’ by multiple weather forecasts.

Additional Advice for Hiking to Fitz Roy

Wildlife and Practical Tips for the Fitz Roy Hike in Patagonia

Additional Advice for El Chalten Village

Accommodations, Dining, and Practical Tips for El Chalten Town

Finding the Starting Point for the Fitz Roy Trail: Directions to the Trailhead

The primary starting point for the Fitz Roy trail is situated at the northern terminus of Avenida San Martin, the main street in El Chalten.

The trail entrance is located very close to the town, and El Chalten is compact enough that you can reach the hike’s starting point from anywhere in town in 15 minutes or less by foot.

Use the GPS coordinates provided to navigate to the entrance of the trail. On Google Maps, the trail is labeled in Spanish as ‘Sendero al Fitz Roy.’

Current Conditions at El Chalten Trailhead

The trailhead at Fitz Roy has a spacious gravel parking lot that can accommodate numerous cars. Despite being a popular hike for day trippers and backpackers from El Calafate and even Torres Del Paine in Chile, I have never seen it completely full.

Amenities at the trailhead include a large trash bin, a water faucet with drinkable water, and an information sign providing details about the hike, trail map, elevation profile, and park rules in Argentina.

Make sure to use the restroom before starting the Fitz Roy trail, as there are no toilets at the trailhead. Alternatively, you can find vault toilets further along the hike.

As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and Minimize Your Environmental Impact. Thanks and happy travels!

El Pilar: Another Trailhead Option

Consider starting your hike to Fitz Roy from El Pilar instead of El Chalten town for a different experience.

The primary benefit of taking this route is that it is slightly easier with less elevation gain. Additionally, hikers will have the opportunity to hike directly past the Piedras Blancas glacier, providing beautiful views of another glacier without any additional hiking. Furthermore, this is a point-to-point hike, offering more variety in the scenery compared to doing it as an out-and-back.

Drawbacks of starting the hike from El Pilar include the extra travel time of 40 minutes and less frequent views of Mount Fitz Roy compared to the normal trailhead at El Chalten.

For experienced hikers who have already completed the trek to Laguna De Los Tres from the usual starting point, beginning from El Pilar can provide a refreshing change of pace!

Is the Fitz Roy trek worth the effort?

Absolutely worth the effort, this hike is!

The breathtaking beauty of Fitz Roy and its surrounding lake is truly remarkable and worth the visit, even if you don’t make it all the way to Laguna De Los Tres.

One of the top day hikes in South America and possibly one of the best in the world, this trek is definitely worth adding to your bucket list.

Additional Advice for Traveling in Patagonia

We appreciate your interest! We trust you found this guide to be helpful for your visit to Mount Fitz Roy and the Laguna De Los Tres hike in Patagonia, Argentina.

Make sure to read my latest travel blog post about the Perito Moreno glacier, a breathtaking attraction in Patagonia near El Calafate!

Have a wonderful trip!