A Guide to Laguna Torre Hike
Laguna Torre is one of the most classic hikes you can do from El Chalten, a small town that quickly became the hiking capital of Argentina, Patagonia. Read our travel guide on Laguna Torre, including what to pack, where to stay, and what to expect from the trail.
The word about the unparalleled beauty of Patagonia has been circulating in travel and outdoor communities for a long time, but now we can say it aloud.
Patagonia is the must-visit destination, and it does not matter if you are a hiking enthusiast or you rather prefer enjoying the stunning scenery with a glass of wine in your hand.
When you arrive in El Chalten, a small town in Argentina close to the borders of Chile, you will, at least for a couple of days, become an adventurer with your heart and soul. It is hard to resist here the calling of nature.
El Chalten is often nicknamed Argentina's hiking capital, and it is not hard to see why.
Within walking distance from the town, travelers can easily reach trailheads to two of the best day hikes in Patagonia, but of course, for real explorers, there are many more things to do.
One of the classic day treks near El Chalten in Los Glaciares National Park we want to talk about more closely is a trail to Laguna Torre and Cerro Torre, an iconic mountain towering behind and a glacier that spills into Laguna Torre.
It is probably the second most popular trek in the area after the Laguna de Los Tres hike, but it is definitely worth it.
Are you planning on hiking the Laguna Torre trek?
We've put together a guide where we will describe the hike's difficulty, what you can expect along the trail, what you need to pack for the trek, and where to stay.
Despite the popularity of the Laguna Torre hike, no traveler should underestimate it, and we hope our hiking guide will help you prepare better for what we believe will be one of the unforgettable Patagonia day trips.
Laguna Torre Hike Difficulty
From what we can recall, the hike to Laguna Torre was one of the easiest (thus most crowded) but rewarding hikes we've done in Patagonia.
Although the trek to the lake is quite long - 9 kilometers one way, the trail gains only 250 meters in elevation during this distance, and the majority at the beginning of the trail.
Once you get to the Mirador Cascada Margarita, the first viewpoint, the hike from this point is not demanding, and you will walk mostly on a flat path, with occasional up and down sections.
What we could see, every type of traveler, even the elderly and families with kids, were able to finish the trek.
The only disadvantage for inexperienced hikers can be the length of the trek, 18 kilometers total, as this is in-and-out trail.
Generally, it should take you anything between 6 and 9 hours to finish the trek.
If you have enough energy and want to get a better view of the glacier, it is possible to extend the trip and climb up from Laguna Torre to Mirador Maestri.
This detour will add approximately 2 kilometers one way (depending on how far you want to go) and a minimum 1 hour.
As we've mentioned at the beginning, the Laguna Torre hike is by no means an unknown trail.
We felt it was quite crowded at the beginning, but then, once we established our pace, we did not meet that many people and met most of the travelers later, on the shore, where we minded our business.
To avoid the crowds, we recommend you read our post on that topic, but we can give you one piece of advice here. The earlier you start, the better.
Connecting Laguna Torre With Laguna de los Tres
Ok, this might not be the most common question, but we feel it is important to let you know that there is a way to enjoy two of the most popular treks in the area during one trip.
If you have more time and have your camping equipment (you can rent it in El Chalten), there is an option to connect two shining stars in Los Glaciares National Park, Laguna Torre Hike and Laguna de Los Tres hike.
And who knows, this might be the information you are looking for.
The loop is almost 43 kilometers long, so you will have to camp along the trail for one or two nights, depending on your pace.
You can sleep in Poincenot Campground and Agostini Campground.
Those camps are free and work on a first-come, first-served basis. In this post, we will focus on a one-day Laguna Torre hike, but we wanted to let you know this is an option.
Entrance Fee
What we really appreciated when hiking near El Chalten was the fact that there was no entrance fee to the national park here, and we could have enjoyed the stunning nature without ruining our budget.
It was a welcoming change because we had to pay a pretty steep admission in most of the national parks along Carretera Austral, and also when visiting Perito Moreno, although it is located in the same national park as lake Torre.
We know that Patagonia is pretty expensive, and it is hard to enjoy it fully when traveling on a budget because there is a high initial cost.
But exploring the trails in this part of the national park and splendid views along the way will make it up.
Trailhead
There are several official trailheads to Laguna Torre, but all of them merge after a couple of minutes, so it does not matter which one you choose.
You can get a map with hiking trails in an information center or at the bus station.
We walked from the city center of El Chalten and headed to the southeast part of the town via Jose Antonio Rojo street.
Here we climbed up the stairs to the top of the hill, where we turned left and carried on to Hostel Kaiken, where the dirt path started to climb once again.
On top of the hill, we found a board announcing the beginning of the Laguna Torre trail.
Generally, once you climb the stairs above Jose Antonio Rojo street, you can also go straight, turn right, and reach Las Loicas street.
In the end, you will start a short climb to the beginning of the trail.
Laguna Torre Hike
Once we got on the trailhead, we continued on the dirt path for approximately fifteen or twenty minutes until we reached the first viewpoint overlooking the valley carved by a river.
The viewpoint is called Mirador Margarita.
The section between El Chalten and this viewpoint climbed all the way up, but from this place, the trail started to be more pleasant without any steep ascend.
From here, you will descend to the Valley of Death and Rebirth. At times we walked via forested parts and open areas from where under perfect conditions, we would have had views of the mountains around.
Unfortunately, the strong wind brought clouds early that day, and they shrouded surrounded peaks.
After some time (every kilometer along the trail is marked, so you will exactly know how much you have left), we walked out of the forest, and the trail ran along the glacial river, Rio Fitz Roy.
After about an hour, we reached Agostini campground (you can stay here overnight and enjoy spectacular sunset or sunrise), and from this point, it was only a short walk to the main attraction of the day, Torre Lake.
Laguna Torre is a stunning lake, boasting a much lighter color than other famous lagoons in Patagonia, such as Laguna Cerro Castillo or Laguna de Los Tres, because it is full of melting icebergs, and the sediment creates the light green-greyish color.
When the weather is perfect, you can see the iconic peaks of Cerro Torre behind it, but we did not get the full view on the day of our visit.
We decided to wait in case the clouds lift up, so meanwhile, we climbed another two kilometers to Mirador Maestri, from where we could see the glacier much better than from the lake's shore.
This path was extremely windy and rocks slippery, so watch out for your steps in case you want to extend the classic trek.
After approximately two hours, we were forced to give up and walked the same way back.
Crowds Along Laguna Torre Trail
Yes, the hike to Laguna Torre is quite crowded, especially between December and February/March, when it is the main hiking season in Patagonia.
We are not afraid to say that 75% (maybe even more) of all visitors staying in El Chalten plan on doing this hike.
On the other hand, you can start the hike as soon or as late as you want, so you can easily avoid the crowds.
We met a large group on the first viewpoint, but as their pace was much slower, we left them quickly behind, and from that time, we met only couples or small groups.
In general, we do not (or try not to) set out our expectations too high when it comes to top attractions to have a better vacation, even though sometimes it is hard.
But this rule of ours includes that we never expect to have the trail only for ourselves.
It is always a plus, but we absolutely understand that other people want to enjoy the beauty the same way we do, and we would rather try to beat the crowds than being annoyed.
Hiking Laguna Torre Independently
Possibly the most tricky part of the 18 kilometers long trek was to find the trailhead, which was at the end not hard at all as we were using both paper and offline maps.
The trail to Laguna Torre is well-marked, and there was not a single point where we would feel confused and did not know where to go.
A pole marks every kilometer of the trail, so you also know how much distance you have left.
Taking a Guided Tour
However, for those of you who prefer guided tours or need assistance, there are plenty of options to choose from, either online or in El Chalten.
Here, you can reserve a Laguna Torre Tour.
Tours are always pricier than traveling independently, but you don't have the burden of planning the trip, plus you can meet several same-minded people in your group.
Staying Safe on the Laguna Torre Trail
We felt absolutely safe in Patagonia, both in the towns, on the road, or hiking in the mountains.
We think the most dangerous when hiking to Laguna Torre is the ever-changing and unpredictable weather.
Always pack a waterproof and windproof jacket and warm layers in case the conditions get worse or in case you get lost (which is unlikely here).
If you plan on climbing (mountains around El Chalten are a climber's paradise), you should be much more experienced to know what to do, though.
Almost every year, a climber dies in the area, usually because of bad weather conditions.
The advantage of hiking this trail is that there is almost every time someone around, so you can wait for help in case of emergency - the chance is lower in the early spring, late autumn, or during winter.
There is no cell phone signal, so we always recommend not to hike alone. Even when you are a solo traveler, you can find a companion in a hostel.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Food and Drinks
Laguna Torre is a full-day hike, so pack a snack, a couple of energy bars and plenty of water with you.
There are not that many places where you can fill up a water bottle from streams, so it is better to start the hike with at least two liters per person.
Do not forget that there are no garbage bins and everything you carry in with you must go back out with you.
When is the Best Time to Visit Laguna Torre
The best time to hike from El Chalten to Laguna Torre is between late October and the end of April.
During this period, you should have a better chance for higher temperatures and sunny weather, although it can rain any time in Patagonia, even in the summer.
It is good to know that between December and February, strong winds pick up, usually later in the afternoon.
Between May to September, temperatures drop significantly, and it can happen that some trails will be closed because of the snow.
We recommend hiking the longer trails only to experienced and well-equipped hikers during this time of the year.
By the way, this article might help you decide when to visit Patagonia so you can plan your trip better.
Where to Stay in El Chalten
El Chalten is one of the most popular places in Patagonia, especially from December to February, when thanks to the milder weather, the hiking season in Argentina is in full swing.
During this time of the year, accommodation is hard to find, prices are higher, so we recommend you to make your reservation as soon as you know your travel dates.
Here's the list of the best accommodation options in El Chalten for every type of traveler.
Budget | Lo de Guille - Basic but clean hostel offers private rooms, good wifi, and breakfast.
Mid-range | Pudu Lodge - Perfectly located stylish lodge offers well-appointed rooms and a cozy dining room.
Luxury | Destino Sur Hotel and Spa de Montana - Beautiful new hotel with a gym, spa treatments, and mountain views from every room is the best you can find in El Chalten when looking for a bit of luxury.
What to Pack
The weather in Patagonia can be harsh and is unpredictable most of the year, so even though you will leave your room in the morning and return a couple of hours later, you should not underestimate it.
Wear proper outdoor clothing and equipment, no matter how fine the weather is at the moment.
Here are five essential things you should pack for the Laguna Torre hike.
Down Jacket | We were in El Chalten in the summer. Still, I wore a down jacket when we waited for the weather to clear.
Rain Jacket | Waterproof and windproof jacket is a must when hiking in Patagonia.
Hiking Pants | Even though it was quite warm during the day, we preferred to hike in long hiking pants because of the cold wind.
Bandana | Bandana is a great little thing that won't take any space in your backpack, and you can use it as sun protection.
Trekking Poles | For stability, knee protection, and better hiking rhythm, we have only word of praise for hiking poles.
How to Get to El Chalten
El Chalten is a must-visit place when in Patagonia, and it is relatively easy to get there.
Bus
During the high season from December to February, buses run frequently either between El Chalten and El Calafate, the base for visiting Perito Moreno, or between El Chalten and Bariloche in Argentina's Lake District.
It is better to book your onward ticket as soon as you arrive in El Chalten, though, to make sure you will get your seat, especially if you travel on a strict schedule.
Car
When traveling in Argentinian Patagonia, you can rent a car, and comfortably get from one place to another as the roads are in good condition.
You only need to check with the rental company you can cross borders to Chile in case you want to carry on either to Torres del Paine on the south or Carretera Austral on the north.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
