The Laguna de los Tres trail

How long is the Fitz Roy hike?

About 20 to 25 km round trip, roughly 10 to 12 km each way, and 8 to 9 hours at a steady pace. The park's brochure gives about 4 hours one way to the lagoon; allow 10 hours in all with photo stops.

Distances vary between sources because the park's brochure, the town's trail guides and GPS tracks measure slightly different paths; they all land between about 20 and 25 km for the round trip. The table follows the park's own stages, one way from the trailhead, with times for a steady walker. The trail climbs about 750 m from town to the viewpoint at roughly 1,170 m, closer to 900 m of total ascent with the small ups and downs.

Where does the Fitz Roy trail start?

At the northern end of El Chaltén, where Avenida San Martín ends and the path heads up the hill. You walk there from anywhere in town; no transport is needed.

The main street runs the length of the village, and the trailhead, with the park's access point for Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre and Chorrillo del Salto, is at its northern end. Stop first at the national park visitor centre at the entrance to town, just before the bridge over the Río Fitz Roy, for the day's trail and weather update; rangers share advice on conditions at the top.

The first half hour is a steady climb out of the valley to the Río de las Vueltas viewpoint, the steepest part before the final hour. After that the trail eases into forest. Start early: you get the quietest trail, the best chance of a clear view before the cloud builds, and time to be back before dark.

Can I hike to Fitz Roy from El Chaltén?

Yes. The trail to Laguna de los Tres starts in town and you can hike it on your own: it is well marked, busy in summer and no guide is required. You need a park access ticket in the main season.

After the first climb, the path runs through lenga forest past the Mirador Fitz Roy and Laguna Capri, about 4 km from town. From there the trail crosses open meadows towards the peaks, with the Piedras Blancas glacier in view, and reaches Poincenot camp in the forest. A few minutes on, a bridge crosses the Río Blanco, passing a camp kept for climbers, and the steep climb on foot to the lagoon begins.

Look out for wildlife in the forest: if you are lucky you may see a huemul, the rare Andean deer. Keep your distance and tell a ranger. Stay on the marked trail, carry out all your rubbish, and remember that dogs, drones and campfires are not allowed in the park.

Laguna Capri or Laguna de los Tres?

Laguna Capri if you want a half day with a great view of Fitz Roy and little effort; Laguna de los Tres if you are fit and want the closest trail view of the mountain. Capri is on the way, so you can decide as you go.

Laguna Capri is about 4 km from town and 350 m up, about 1 hour 45 minutes each way: a rewarding shorter goal, with Fitz Roy reflected in the lake on calm mornings and a campsite in the trees. Laguna de los Tres is more than twice as far, with the steep last hour, but it puts you right under the granite walls and the hanging glaciers. On a clear day with fit legs, go for the lagoon; on a day of low cloud or tired legs, Capri still gives you a view, and the difference is explained in how hard the Fitz Roy hike is.

The same choice exists on the guided day from El Calafate: the Laguna de los Tres guided trek splits the group, and anyone unsure walks with the second guide to Laguna Capri while the first group continues via Poincenot. It runs on odd-numbered dates only and is non-refundable.

The Laguna Capri hike with a Patagonian picnic is a 13-hour day from El Calafate on Route 40, with a stop at Parador La Leona: a nature specialist guide walks you to Laguna Capri and its Fitz Roy view, then a picnic of an artisan sandwich, local chocolate and hot herbal tea on the shore. Poles, an emergency poncho and insurance are included; park entry is not. Reviewers mention clear skies, autumn colours and an easy pace.

★ 4.9 (24) · 13 hours · Full refund up to 24 h ahead

Explore the Laguna Capri hike →

Can you start the Fitz Roy hike at El Pilar or Río Eléctrico?

Yes. Some hikers take a morning shuttle to Hostería El Pilar, about 15 km north of town, and walk back to El Chaltén via the Piedras Blancas glacier viewpoint and Poincenot. It skips the first climb out of town and is a quieter start.

From El Pilar the path climbs gently through forest along the Río Blanco valley, with a short side trail to the Piedras Blancas glacier viewpoint, and joins the main trail at Poincenot, below the final climb. After the lagoon you walk the main trail back down to town, so you see both sides of the valley in one day, for a total similar to the standard route. The Río Eléctrico access point on the same road, about 16 km from town, is another way in, and the park's access ticket applies there too. Hostels and hotels in town arrange the shuttles; ask the evening before.

The guided version from El Calafate is the Laguna de los Tres trek via Río Eléctrico, a new listing with no reviews yet: a 16-hour day with about 9 hours on foot, about 24 km, starting at the Río Eléctrico trailhead with a certified mountain guide, and a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead.

Do you need a ticket to hike to Fitz Roy?

Yes, in the main season. Los Glaciares National Park charges an access ticket for the El Chaltén trails in the main season; buy it online from Parques Nacionales before you set out.

Tickets are sold on the Parques Nacionales ticket site, paid by card, and you show your ID at the access point to prove your category. One ticket covers several trails on the same day, and there are multi-day options for longer stays. Children aged 0 to 6 and some other groups are exempt. The rules and dates are set each year, so check the park website before you go.

The guided tours do not include the park ticket, so buy it yourself before the tour date. Camping is paid separately from park access.

Can you camp near Fitz Roy?

Yes, at the organised campsites of Poincenot and Laguna Capri on the Fitz Roy trail, and De Agostini on the Laguna Torre trail. Each needs a reservation in advance, and there is no campsite at Laguna de los Tres.

Poincenot, about 8 km from town and an hour below the lagoon, is the favourite base for a sunrise walk to the top. Laguna Capri, about 4 km out, is closer to town and sits by the lake. Both have toilets but no showers, electricity or mobile signal. The campsites are paid and managed by the Asociación Amigos del Parque Nacional Los Glaciares with the park: book through their campsite reservation page, up to the day before; reservations cannot be refunded. Camp only at authorised sites, cook on a gas stove only at the campsites, and carry out all your waste.

If you want the sunrise without carrying a tent, the Fitz Roy sunrise night trek is a guided night walk from El Chaltén to the lagoon, arriving before dawn, from 1 December to the end of February on odd-numbered dates. It is a new listing for ages 18 to 50 with very good fitness, up to 10 people, and it is non-refundable.

What is Laguna Sucia?

Laguna Sucia is a second glacial lake below the rim of Laguna de los Tres, under hanging glaciers. You see it from the rim of the moraine next to Laguna de los Tres; the view is the way to enjoy it.

From the outlet of Laguna de los Tres, a short path along the rim leads to a viewpoint over Laguna Sucia, far below, with glaciers spilling off the walls above it. It is a striking extra view for a few minutes of walking. The slopes below the rim are not a marked trail, so stay on the rim path and ask the rangers at the visitor centre about the day's conditions.

With the lagoon and the rim viewpoint, give yourself time at the top: the light on the granite changes by the minute, and on a calm day the spires stand in the water. Then start down before you get cold, keeping enough daylight for the walk back. The way the mountain looks from other angles, and what it takes to go higher, is in climbing Fitz Roy vs hiking it.

Frequently asked questions