A Guide to Laguna Torre Hike – El Chalten, Patagonia

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El Chalten is the hiking capital of Argentina and it is easy to see why! This little town is the start of so many epic day and multi-day hikes! Amongst these hikes, Laguna Torre is one of the most classic hikes you can do from El Chalten. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Laguna Torre hike, including what to expect and what to pack.

Quick Facts

• Location – town of El Chalten
• Time – this really depends on you. The official guidance is anywhere from 7-8 hours
• Distance – 18 km out and back. 22 km if you add an optional side hike (see below)
• Elevation gain – ~500m/1,600ft
• Difficulty – Laguna Torre hike is classified as medium difficulty
• Cost – free!
• Reservations – no reservation needed
• Other names – Cerro Torre hike

Starting Point

There are two official trailheads to Laguna Torre as shown in the map below. They both merge within 5 minutes. I took the one at the end of Los Charitos. Even though it doesn’t callout a car park on the map, you can park your car there as well.

Detailed Hike Description

Kilometers 1 to 3

The first part of the Laguna Torre hike is the only somewhat steep part! There are a few rocky bits between kilometers 1 and 3. You will see a small steep section that has a chain to help you pull yourself up at the start. At around the 0.7 kilometer mark you will see a waterfall called Cascada Margarita on to your left. You cant miss it as you will hear the roaring river on your left and there is also a board.

The second landmark or prominent place in this initial section is Mirador del Torre. This viewpoint is at the 2.5 kilometer mark. From here, you will see Cerro Torre and the adjoining glacier. It is a small taste of what is to come. You will also see the top part of Mount Fitz Roy peeping out.

The Valley

The ground flattens for the rest of the hike from here on. You will walk in an open area (what I am calling a valley) for a couple of kilometers with amazing views of Cerro Torre and the Torre Glacier in front of you. Towards the end of the open area, you will find shrubs along the path and the path will narrow, making it one way. This is why it’s best to hike early so you don’t have to stop for traffic in this one way stretch. From here, the path curves to the right.

Through the Forest

Once the path curves to the right, you continue to walk a little bit through shrubs, until you come to a more open forest. From here, you will see a stream on your left. Keep walking through the forest until you come to a more open area with shrubs and cross a small wooded bridge.

Along the River

After walking a few meters from the bridge, you will see a river (or is it a big stream?) on your left. Keep walking forward. The path here is very flat but rocky and sandy. You will see a sign that asks you to go left for camp de Agostini or right for the lagoon. I went to the lagoon so I kept right.

The Final Stretch

The final stretch is rocky but very easy. Just follow the path until you come to the upper rim of the lagoon. From here you can go down to the banks of the lagoon for a closer look at the icebergs floating by.

Optional Side Hike

There is an optional side hike that you can do that takes you to a viewpoint where you can see the glacier next to Cerro Torre better. This viewpoint is called Mirador Maestri and is an additional 2 km (one way) from the lagoon. The path is rocky and not marked and takes you along the ridge of the lagoon. As such, it is not recommended to do this additional hike in bad wind conditions.

Since the trail is not marked, it maybe hard to find the exact spot of the Mirador. There is a board that says “Mirador Maestri” but I never saw it. However, looking at the pictures I took and pictures from the viewpoint that other have taken, I think I more or less have the same images, so I was either very close or may have even gone beyond!

Tips for Hiking Laguna Torre

Start your day as early as possible. I hit the trail at 6 AM and there was no one until I got to the wooden bridge where I saw some people filling their bottles. When I got to the lagoon, there was only one other person there. You certainly do not have to start that early but starting by at least 8 AM will help avoid crowds on the trail.

Bring enough water as unlike Laguna de Los Tres, there is not an abundance of streams to fill water from.

Check the weather app and go on a relatively clear day so you can see Cerro Torre well. I found this app to be the most helpful!

3 Ways to Hike Laguna Torre

As a Day Hike

This is the most popular way to hike Laguna Torre and what I did. With a day hike, you start in El Chalten in the morning and come back to El Chalten once done, that same day.

As an Overnight Hike (Sun Rise)

You can hike to see the sun rise over the granite needles of Cerro Torre when the sun illuminates the needles and casts reflections of orange and red over the lake. If you want to see this spectacular view, it is best done as an overnight hike. To do this, hike to Camp de Agostini at the 8 kilometer mark and stay overnight at this camp, before making your way to the viewpoint, just before sunrise the next morning. Note that the camp site offers very basic facilities and you will have to bring everything you need for your stay here. Also, don’t forget to pack a headlamp if you are doing the sunrise hike.

As a Multi-Day Hike

The Laguna de Los Tres hike is another popular hike in El Chalten. You could do the Laguna Torre hike and the Laguna de Los Tres hike as out and back day hikes from El Chalten on separate days or you can combine the 2 hikes in a loop. Start at El Chalten and go to Laguna Torre and then take the loop to Laguna de Los Tres via Lagunas Madre and Hija, eventually making your way back to El Chalten. You can stay at Camp Padre De Agostini near Laguna Torre on night 1 and Camp Poincenot near Laguna de Los Tres on night 2, when you do this multi-day hike. You can also do this in reserve, going to Laguna de Los Tres first.

Here are some Sample Itineraries. You can do these in reserve too.

Itinerary 1

• Day 1/Night 1 – Laguna Torre hike (stay at Camp de Agostini)
• Day 2/Night 2 – See the sunrise at Laguna Torre and hike to Camp Poincenot via Lagunas Madre and Hija
• Day 3 – Hike to Laguna de Los Tres (sunrise or in the morning) and walk back to El Chalten

Itinerary 2

Can this loop be done in 2 days instead of 3? Yes! But day 1 will be long. Most people stick to 3 days! It will be 9 kilometers from El Chalten to Laguna Torre and about 11 kilometers from Camp de Agostini to Camp Poincenot on mostly flat terrain.

• Day 1/Night 1 – Laguna Torre, hike to Camp Poincenot (overnight at Camp Poincenot)
• Day 2 – Hike to Laguna de Los Tres (sunrise or just after) and walk back to El Chalten

I recommend doing this itinerary in reserve (as suggested HERE), so that you hike to the more challenging viewpoint of the two (Laguna de Los Tres) first.

Note that unlike the campsites of Torres del Paine, both of the campsites mentioned above are free of charge and require no reservations. They are however, first comes first served.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Laguna Torre

What is the Best Time to Hike Laguna Torre?

This hike is over year around. However, it maybe more difficult to do during the winter months if there is snow on the trail. With that in mind, the best time to hike to Laguna Torre is from early November to the end of March/mid April.

Do you Need a Guide?

You do not need a guide for this hike. The trail is well marked and I hiked by myself pretty much the entire way and never felt unsafe. However, do not attempt the Mirador Maestri hike if you are by yourself and it is very windy.

Can Children do the Laguna Torre Hike?

I saw many young children on the trail as I was walking back. However, you know your children best!

Comparison to Laguna de Los Tres

If you are wondering how this hike compares to the Laguna de Los Tres hike that is also in El Chalten, this is A LOT easier. It is also slightly shorter if you don’t hike to Mirador Maestri. Both hikes do start a little steep. Laguna Torre has a bit of a climb until about the 3 kilometer mark but it’s very gradual. Unlike Laguna de Los Tres, Laguna Torre has no steep climb at the end making it a lot easier than the former.

If you have time for both, I highly recommend that you do both. If you only have time for one, do the Laguna de Los Tres hike, if you have good physical fitness. If you only have time for one and are looking for the easier hike, then Laguna Torre is the hike for you!

What to Pack for the Laguna Torre Hike

This packing list is for the day hike.

• Layers – a good wind proof jacket is a must. I found that a wind breaker with a diver’s style hood to be a game changer against the crazy Patagonia winds
• A pair of good hiking shoes – Salomon hiking shoes are my favorites! Columbia is a close second.
• Rain jacket – the weather in Patagonia is unpredictable. It’s better to be prepared!
• Sunglasses – I love these polarized sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hat – wear a hat that cannot be blown away for the wind or you can secure tightly. I like this one as you can tighen the string and secure it around your face
• Food – unlike on the Chilean side, there is no place to buy food so bring a packed lunch
• Water bottle or bladder with water- I loved using my water bladder as it is a lot easier to drink on the go.
• Trekking poles – these are optional but I found them super useful going up and down the steep ascend
• Bug Spray – bring bug spray to keep pesky horse flies away, especially if you are hiking in the summer. I got eaten alive!

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