Trekking to the base of Fitz Roy

From El Chaltén, the trekking capital, an exciting trail for mountain lovers is the Laguna de Los Tres, located at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. The starting point is located at the end of San Martín Avenue, marking the limit of the urban area of El Chaltén, where you will find a parking lot.

Laguna de Los Tres at a glance

One of the most sought-after trails in El Chaltén

For the first 4 km, the ascent is gentle as you follow beautiful views of the De Las Vueltas River valley. The trail enters forests and streams until you reach the serene Laguna Capri, where you can rest at the rugged campsite or climb to the Fitz Roy viewpoint.

Poincenot camp

Continuing along the main trail, you will reach kilometer 8, where you will find the Poincenot campsite and the Blanco River. This campsite is the ideal place to recharge your batteries, enjoy a meal and replenish your water supply. From there, the difficulty increases. So it is essential to pay attention to the timetable and consider the return to the village, which will take about 4 hours more.

The last kilometer

Leaving Poincenot camp behind and leaving the lenga forest, the trail continues along the river and passes by a dozen lagoons that contribute to its beauty and serenity. The last kilometer is the most challenging, due to the altitude and rocky terrain. It is a steep slope of about 400 m of elevation gain until you reach the Laguna de Los Tres, which will require a little more than an hour of effort. However, the views of the surroundings will more than reward you. This is the closest point where we can directly appreciate the majesty of Mount Fitz Roy.

Laguna de Los Tres

The Laguna de Los Tres, which on sunny summer days shines with its turquoise color, is frozen by a blanket of snow in winter. It is surrounded by the three peaks that give it its name: Fitz Roy, Poincenot and Torre, each with an unmistakable silhouette.

The way back

This trail is very popular with trekking enthusiasts, so it is difficult to get lost. The descent phase is more relaxed, but no less challenging, as the slope in the final part is very steep, and the following section becomes extensive. This mountain adventure requires you to check the weather conditions and carry the proper equipment.