Unforgettable Day Hiking Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina
- That's How We Travel
- May 10
- 4 min read
Summary. Laguna de Los Tres via Monte Fitz Roy is a breathtaking hike in Patagonia that we had been eager to experience. Hearing of an impending storm, we took a risk and altered our plans to hike the day we arrived from Buenos Aires. Starting at noon (a bold move!), and after being awake for nine hours already, it could have been a disaster, but ultimately it was worth it. This unforgettable hike is a "must do," and we would have missed it entirely since the storm indeed hit the following morning. The hike is known for its glacial lake, surrounded by majestic mountains, including the iconic Fitz Roy peak. The trek to the lake, which marks the turnaround point, is challenging and requires a good level of fitness. Overall, Laguna de Los Tres is a bucket list hike that won't disappoint, and we were incredibly grateful for having the foresight to outpace the storm.
[This blog is part of our 10-days in Patagonia trip].
Getting there. To reach the town of El Chaltén, home to the renowned Fitz Roy hike, we caught an early morning flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate. This 3-hour flight landed us at 8:30 a.m., after which we promptly rented a car for the 2.5-hour drive to the trailhead. Initially, we planned to have a relaxed day traveling to El Chaltén and possibly taking a short afternoon hike. However, the weather forecast predicted a storm for the following day, precisely when we intended to hike Fitz Roy. Consequently, this day turned out to be epic for multiple reasons, as we decided to tackle the challenging 14-mile hike after traveling across Argentina earlier in the day. The storm did indeed arrive, and we were glad we adjusted our plans.
Tip - Bring Food: El Calafate airport, located 20 minutes from El Calafate on the way to El Chaltén, offers very limited food options, so we couldn't stock up on provisions until we reached El Chaltén.
The drive to El Chaltén is beautiful and worth taking your time on, as long as you're not hurrying to avoid a storm like we were.
We still paused occasionally to take photos at various spots as we made our way into the City of El Chaltén. Here, we dropped our bags at the AirBnB, grabbed some which snacks at a grocery store, and headed straight to the trailhead.
Trailhead. This 14 mile hike (from the parking lot) is located in Los Glaciares National Park where you will need to buy a day pass. Since we planned on visiting the Park again when we returned to El Calafate, we purchased a multi-day pass.
We started the hike at about 12 noon, which of course is late but with the long summer days, we were able to return before dark just fine. Early in the hike, two of us were feeling a bit fatigued from the already long day so the remaining three forged ahead for the full hike. The two that dropped behind still got in a solid 10 miles, but skipped the final accent to the Fitz Roy towers.
The elevation gain on this hike is generally modest, except for the section leading to the turnaround point at the towers. The views along the way are spectacular throughout the journey.
It's really hard not to pinch yourself as you're hiking here. The scenery is incredible.
Getting to the Towers. The last stretch to reach the Towers is undeniably challenging. It involves navigating large rocks, steep slopes, and, on this warm day, enduring a rather harsh sun. There are warning signs before you enter this section, but who would skip the best part? Not us! So, we continued our ascent, excited for the breathtaking view that awaited us.
Reward Promised; Reward Delivered. Although it will be hard, and surely there will be times you're questioning your sanity, don't miss this part of the hike. The view from the top is worth every effort.
Undeniably one of the most beautiful places in the entire world.
Hike Back. Heading back down the mountain is difficult as well since you'll want to avoid twisting ankles or worse. However, after the initial descent, the trail evens out again as you head back to where you came from.
Here's a video of the hike to the Towers:
Tip. If you hike on a warm day like we did, bring way more water than you think you will need. We ran out, which is pretty unthinkable for this veteran group of hikers. We each packed a ton but it was the stretch to get to the Towers that did us in. We made it OK in the end but it was a good reminder that when you're in unfamiliar terrain, pack much more than you think you'll need.
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