Laguna Torre is the glacier lake below Cerro Torre (3,102 m), reached on a gentle valley trail from El Chaltén in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park. Official figures: 10 km one way, 3 hours 30 minutes, 250 m of climbing, so about 20 km and 7 hours for the round trip. It is the most forgiving of El Chaltén’s long hikes and the usual choice when the forecast is mixed or as a first day before Laguna de los Tres.
Laguna Torre at a glance
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Distance | 10 km one way (official); about 20 km round trip |
| Time | 3 h 30 min one way (official); about 7 h round trip |
| Elevation gain | 250 m (official) |
| Start / lake | El Chaltén, about 400 m / Laguna Torre, about 630 m |
| Extension | Mirador Maestri: 12 km from the start (4 h 30 min), exposed to wind |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Park access 2026-27 | ARS 50,000 day ticket for foreign visitors (Los Glaciares tariff) |
The route
El Chaltén to Mirador del Torre (3 km)
The trail starts beside Los Charitos street at the west edge of town and climbs over a shoulder above the Río Fitz Roy. The park gives 3 km and 1 h 15 min to the Mirador del Torre, the first view up the valley to Cerro Torre. Most of the trail’s 250 m of gain is behind you at this point.
Mirador del Torre to Laguna Torre (10 km)
The path continues through lenga forest and open valley floor. At 5.5 km the Madre e Hija connector leaves north toward the Fitz Roy trail. De Agostini campsite sits at 9 km (3 h from the start); the lake and the moraine viewpoint over it are a few minutes beyond. On calm days icebergs from the Grande glacier float on the grey water.
Optional: Mirador Maestri (12 km)
A path follows the moraine crest along the north shore for about 2 km more to the Mirador Maestri, 12 km and 4 h 30 min from the start by the park’s count. The park flags it as exposed to wind. Skip it when gusts are strong.
Fees, campsites and rules for 2026-27
Los Glaciares charges an access ticket in the El Chaltén (north) zone. Rates valid from 1 June 2026 for foreign visitors: ARS 50,000 for one day, ARS 100,000 for a 3-day Flexipass, ARS 175,500 for 7 days; a second day used within 72 hours costs 50% less. Buy online (ventaweb.apn.gob.ar) or with the QR code at the trail portals; card only, no cash. Charging for the 2026-27 season resumed on 8 October 2026. Source: APN tariffs. The park lists the Cerro Torre-Base Fitz Roy portal at the end of Avenida San Martín; ask at the visitor centre whether the Los Charitos start is controlled on your dates.
Capri, Poincenot and De Agostini are the only campsites on these trails. All three are managed and reservation-only through the Asociación Amigos del Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (listed at 30,000 per adult per night in Argentine pesos; paid in advance, non-refundable). Camping anywhere else is not allowed. De Agostini is the campsite for this trail. Book at amigospnlosglaciares.org.
Park rules: no fires (gas stoves only, at the authorised campsites), no pets, no drones, no bicycles on the trails. From May to September poles and crampons are mandatory and walking on frozen lagoons is prohibited. Source: APN recommendations.
Laguna Torre or Laguna de los Tres?
Laguna Torre has a third of the climbing (250 m against 750 m) and no steep section, so it suits a cloudy day, a rest day or a first day. Laguna de los Tres is the harder and longer-feeling day, with the steep final kilometre under Fitz Roy. With the Madre e Hija connector you can link both lakes, which makes a very long day; most people camp at De Agostini or Poincenot to split it. All Argentina routes we document are listed on Argentina hiking trails.
When to go
October to April. Cerro Torre is often hidden in cloud; mornings tend to be clearer. From May to September the park requires poles and crampons on its trails and prohibits walking on frozen lagoons.
Getting there and planning
El Chaltén is 213 km from El Calafate by road, about 3 hours by bus. The trail starts on foot from town. For trip planning across the country see our Argentina travel guide. In Argentina, local tour service providers provide all services; for help combining Patagonia with a Peru trek write to info@incatrailreservations.com.