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Outings and excursions · El Chaltén

Trekking to Lake Torre

Text: Pablo Etchevers · Photos: Jorge González

A beautiful mountain trail starting at El Chaltén makes us feel one of the most impressive sites on earth: the path to Lake Torre.

This undoubtedly is one of the most popular hiking tours among lovers of walking. It leads to a stunning lake named after the Torre Glacier, whose beauty is unconditional for any hiker that reaches this spot.

Sign of the trail to Lake Torre, in Los Glaciares National Park
Sign of the trail to Lake Torre, in Los Glaciares National Park
The trail along the Fitz Roy River
The trail along the Fitz Roy River
Cerro Torre rises at the end of the valley
Cerro Torre rises at the end of the valley
Sign pointing to Lake Torre and De Agostini camp
Sign pointing to Lake Torre and De Agostini camp
A hiker on the shore of Lake Torre, with Cerro Torre in the background
A hiker on the shore of Lake Torre, with Cerro Torre in the background

Lake Torre at a glance

WhereLos Glaciares National Park; the trail starts from the village of El Chaltén
Type of tourTrekking of several hours
What to seeThe Fitz Roy River, Mount Pliegue Tumbado, Lake Torre and Cerro Torre
ParkLos Glaciares, established in 1937
HeritageUNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981

The start of the trail

We resolved to go in search of the trail. It started behind Los Cerros Hotel and after a long hike, it would lead us straight to Lake Torre.

Some minutes after we set out, a National Parks sign gave information about the entire tour and assured us we were on the right trail. Thus, we started to climb. Adventure had only just begun.

The Fitz Roy River

After going up for a while, we started to make out the Fitz Roy River winding around the local geography in the way nature had outlined. At times, it was really fast-flowing.

Very close to us, we could watch Mount Pliegue Tumbado and other nearby summits, whose distinctive silhouettes become familiar after spending several days in El Chaltén.

Lake Torre

At a slow but steady pace, we continued hiking and before we could even notice, we saw a gorgeous lake formed by meltdown water coming from famous Mount Torre.

We went on hiking until we could appreciate the benefits of this splendid water body from a viewpoint. To the right, a road reached the base of Mount Torre.

Beyond the lake

Those who followed it told us later that the only way of getting closer to the glacier and crossing the Fitz Roy is through a zip line. However, it is essential to do this with the assistance of the guides on the tours hired in the town.

A hike worth recommending

In our particular case, the lake was the aim of this singular adventure that made us feel satisfied to such an extent that we highly recommended this outing to other hikers during our stay in the city.

Hiking to Lake Torre is, without the slightest doubt, one of the best tours available following the trails of El Chaltén.

See alsoHotels and lodging in El Chaltén

Outings in El Chaltén

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Hotels and lodging in El Chaltén

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