Discover El Chaltén

This demanding day hike leads to a turquoise glacial lake right at the foot of the iconic Fitz Roy massif, whose jagged granite spires are often shrouded in clouds and offer an unforgettable panorama on clear days.

The slender, ice-clad granite tower is considered one of the world's technically most demanding climbing peaks. A moderately challenging hike leads to the Laguna Torre viewpoint with a direct view of the glacial lake below.

Founded only in 1985, this small village now lives entirely off trekking tourism, with numerous free trails leading directly from the town center in every direction of the national park.

Despite its remoteness, El Chaltén offers a surprisingly lively scene of microbreweries, cozy restaurants and an international hiking community that gathers in the evenings to swap stories.

El Chaltén has no airport of its own and is usually reached by bus from El Calafate, a drive of about three hours along Ruta 40.

Spanish is the official language. English is understood throughout at guesthouses and gear rental shops thanks to the international trekking community.

November to March, the South American summer, is best for trekking, since many accommodations are closed during the Argentine winter.

No, the trails to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre run through Los Glaciares National Park and are free to access, making El Chaltén an especially affordable trekking destination.