Torre Lagoon

"Distance: 19km Time: 7-8 hours Difficulty: Moderate Laguna Torre is one of the two must see trails when hiking El Chalten. It is a full-day hike through the valley of Rio Fitz Roy to the stunning Cerro Torre along with its lagoon and glacier. As with most hikes in El Chalten, the first thirty minutes are the toughest part as you ascend from town into the mountains. The first highlights are the Margarita waterfall and the Mirador del Torre viewpoints. After that, it's pretty smooth sailing through the river valley. A lot of this trail is through the forest so you are less exposed to the sun and wind. It is a heavily crowded trail so if you can start as early as possible. I recommend spending as much time as possible at the laguna with a picnic to enjoy the view before heading back. Optional add on 1: There is an option to add a 2km add-on. This starts from the ridge before the descent into the lagoon's shore. It takes you to the Maestri viewpoint. The trail isn't well marked but it is easy to follow along the ridge. It's a little more challenging than the rest of the hike but has fantastic views of the glacier. You get a unique view of the Cerro Torre granite needles as well. Laguna Torre Shorter Alternative: If you are short on time or don't want to hike the full way to Cerro Torre, hike to the Mirador del Torre. The hike to the viewpoint is halfway to the laguna and only takes 3-4 hours roundtrip. There are benches and informational signs marking the peaks. A great spot for a picnic and relaxation!"

"One of the many iconic hikes in Patagonia - famous for a reason!"