How to Hike the Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres Trail in Argentine Patagonia

Possibly the most popular hike in Argentine Patagonia is to the shores of the turquoise-blue Laguna de los Tres at the base of the impressive Mount Fitz Roy. After completing the trail we can totally appreciate its popularity. It was hands down one of the most scenic hikes we did in Patagonia. We’d even say it’s better than the Mirador Torres hike in Torres del Paine in Chile. If you want to know our reasoning for this, then check out our Mount Fitz Roy vs. Mirador Torres Base comparison post.

However, there are many things that you may not be aware of just by looking at the stunning images on social media. One of them is when most people talk about hiking Mount Fitz Roy, they actually refer to the base of Fitz Roy (aka to Laguna de los Tres), not its summit. So, in this guide we’ll clear a few things up and also detail everything you should know before attempting the trail including its length, difficulty and other practical information such as the best time to hike, what to wear, entry fees, where to stay and what to expect from the trail.

If you’d like to see the hike, make sure to watch our Los Glaciares National Park video, which we shared on our YouTube channel Kitti and Jon. For more videos from the country, check out our Argentina playlist.

About Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres in El Chalten

Mount Fitz Roy is one of Patagonia’s most iconic landmarks. The mountain is located near the small town of El Chalten in the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentine Patagonia. If you’re flying through the area you can even see it from above, which is pretty incredible.

Standing at 3,405 m (11,171 ft) above sea level, the peak was first climbed in 1952. Whilst not many people attempt to actually climb to the top, thousands do hike up to its base to admire the mountain every year.

At the foot of Mount Fitz Roy is Laguna de los Tres, meaning “Lake of the Three” in English. The turquoise-blue lake got its name from the three peaks visible from its shore: Fitz Roy (3,405 m), Poincenot (3,002 m) and Saint-Exupéry (2,558 m).

Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Hike Statistics

Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Trailhead Options

• Sendero Fitz Roy Car Park in El Chalten is the most popular trailhead to Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres. It’s easily accessible on foot from your accommodation without the need for transport.
• El Pilar trailhead is located to the north of El Chalten. Most guided tours start from this access point. The distance and elevation is slightly less, although you cannot avoid the final ascent. Whilst the route passes the Piedras Blancas Glacier, you would need transportation to reach the trailhead from El Chalten.
• Laguna Torre Trailhead would also lead you to Mount Fitz Roy, although it’s a much longer route (33 km / 20.5 mile roundtrip, including going to Laguna Torre first), so it would probably make sense to do it over two days.

In this guide, we’re detailing the first (and most popular) route starting from El Chalten. We also have a detailed hiking guide for Laguna Torre if you’re interested.

Length of the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Trail

The Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres trailhead starts from Sendero Fitz Roy Car Park in El Chalten. From here the trail is about 22 km (13.7 miles) long (out-and-back). Now, depending on where you’re staying in El Chalten, you also have to account for some extra walking to and from the trailhead. To put it into perspective, if you stay somewhere around the main bus terminal area, you would need to add an extra 3.5 km (2 miles) there-and-back to your overall trail length. Trust us, it’s not going to be pleasant, especially on the way back!

In terms of timings, we started the hike at 8:30AM and got to Mirador Fitz Roy – 4km from the trailhead – around 9:45AM. Here we spent about an hour having some snacks and taking plenty of photos. We got to Poincenot Campsite, just before the last uphill push, at 12:15 PM. This last ascent took us an hour before we reached Laguna de los Tres.

We spent around 1.5hrs around the lake recovering and taking in the incredible (and thankfully cloud-free) views of the peaks. We left at 3PM and the descent back to the campsite took us 45 minutes. Around 5PM we got to Laguna Capri, where we took a 10-15 minute break. Finally, we got back to the trailhead around 6:30PM. Overall, it took us 10 hours to complete the trail, with plenty of longer stops and shorter breaks mixed in.

Level of Difficulty of the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Trail

On AllTrails this route is marked as hard and we agree that this trail isn’t a walk in the park. Although, if you have a good level of fitness, have experience hiking for long hours and being exposed to the elements, then you may find this trail more moderate than difficult. Let’s quickly run through the key challenges you could face along the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Trail.

Elevation Gain

Overall, the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres hike comes with a total elevation gain of 1,054 m (3,458 ft). Between the trailhead and Mirador Fitz Roy (4 km) you’ll gain about 360 m (1,180 ft) of elevation. Whilst it’s a fair increase, it’s pretty gradual.

The section between Mirador Fitz Roy and the Poincenot Campsite (4.5 km) is actually pretty flat, with only 90 m (295 ft) of elevation gain. Enjoy this because the last 1 km is going to be the hardest part of the entire hike. You’ll gain a grand total of 400 m (1,312 ft) of elevation in this short distance. This part is definitely no joke and quite demanding, especially after already walking for 9 km. On the plus side, you don’t have to worry about doing this at high altitude, like many other hikes in the Andes.

Trail Length and Conditions

A 22 km out-and-back hike (plus the distance to/from the trailhead) is a long distance to walk, and can be quite tiring if you’re not used to trekking. We didn’t feel too tired until we got to the last uphill section, which definitely took a toll on us. Luckily, we had the most ideal weather conditions, so the shores of Laguna de los Tres with the view of Mount Fitz Roy wasn’t the worst place to relax and recover before having to do the whole route back again. The descent can also be hard on the knees. If you have knee problems, definitely take some walking poles with you.

The terrain is good, although it can be uneven and dotted with tree-roots. After heavy rainfall, it can be quite muddy and slippery. The last section is pretty rocky and slippery, which is why we always recommend wearing sturdy shoes with good grip.

Temperatures and Weather Conditions

Lastly, you’ll also have to be mindful of the weather conditions when hiking. You’ll most likely be hiking in the summer season when the sun can be pretty intense. You’ll be exposed during the majority of the trail so it’s important to wear a hat, sunglasses and sun-cream. In the summer months the Patagonian wind can be quite notorious, so you need to be extra cautious when walking in the forest or when exposed higher up. Never forget that you’re in the mountains, so conditions can change quickly.

Mount Fitz Roy / Lagunas de los Tres Hike: Route Description

1^st Section: Trailhead to Mirador Río de las Vueltas

From the hotel, we made our way to the trailhead at Sendero Fitz Roy Car Park. Here, they may or may not ask you to show your national park entry pass. There was nobody there on the day we hiked. After passing the entry gate and the information board, we took the path on the left. The one straight ahead is the trailhead for the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall hike.

Shortly, we came to another split. Here we had to take the right fork, as the left one was to Laguna Torre. In about 10-15 minutes we arrived at the first viewpoint called Mirador Río de las Vueltas. It offered us breathtaking views of the Vueltas River meandering through the valley, with the surrounding peaks towering on either side of it.

2^nd Section: Mirador Río de las Vueltas to Mirador Fitz Roy

Then the path took us through a forest. This part was slightly steep with some switchbacks and passed another viewpoint of the Vueltas River. After the 1 km mark we emerged out of the forest and carried on walking along the side of the hill. This part was pretty flat with views of the river on our right. At some point we also spotted the peak of Fitz Roy in the distance. Then we entered the forest once again. Soon the trail split in two once more. Here we had the option to go left via Laguna Capri or to keep right for Mirador Fitz Roy. We went right here on the ascent and came back via Laguna Capri.

Mirador Fitz Roy is roughly the 4 km mark of the hike and quite a popular spot to walk to for those who do not wish to hike all the way to Laguna de los Tres. The viewpoint is absolutely stunning, so we recommend spending a good amount of time here.

3^rd Section: Mirador Fitz Roy to Poincenot Campsite

From the Fitz Roy viewpoint, the trail zig-zagged us through the valley. This section was pretty flat, with a mix of open areas and very narrow sections with tall bushes on either side. However, almost the entire way to Poincenot Campsite we could enjoy a clear view of Fitz Roy and its neighbours. Being able to see Fitz Roy for the majority of the trek is one of the main reasons we think that this hike is so much better than the Mirador Torres hike in Torres del Paine.

At some point, the trail coming from Laguna Capri merged back into the path. Just before we reached the campsite, the trail split again. The left fork goes towards Laguna Torre about 7km away. Go right here through a boggy area with wooden walkways. The stream here looked really refreshing, with its incredibly clear blue water. We weren’t far from Poincenot Campsite here, where you’ll find some toilets.

4^th Section: Poincenot Campsite to Laguna de los Tres

After passing the campsite, the trail carried on being quite flat until we got to the unmissable sign indicating that we’d reached the last kilometre of the hike. It is also a warning sign, listing important things to consider before carrying on. You’ll be gaining about 400 m of elevation in just 1 km and will be exposed to the elements. Only attempt this part if you’re up to it.

The ascent started quite gradually but we soon started to go up steeply. After a small section of shelter in the woods, we were out in the open climbing straight up. The path was very rocky, with bigger and smaller rocks that were very slippery even though it was a dry day. Eventually the trail turned into steep switchbacks.

This section felt like it was never going to end, and every time we looked up we could see people high above us still climbing further up. It was also quite a narrow section, with foot traffic coming both ways slowing us down. We tried to stop as little as possible, with the crazy amount of flies eating us alive when we were stationary helping us to keep moving. There was also a false summit section, with a welcome few minutes of flat terrain that our calves were very grateful for, before the very last push to the top.

5^th Section: Laguna de los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy

Once we got up to the ridgeline the views of the turquoise-blue Laguna de los Tres, with the majestic Mount Fitz Roy towering behind it, made us instantly forget about our burning calves and lungs. Every drop of sweat was worth the effort for views like this.

We stayed higher up along the ridgeline for a while before going down to the shore of the lake for a slightly different perspective. Walking into the freezing cold lake was a refreshing treat for our tired feet. We spent a good 1.5 hours here, having our picnic, enjoying the sunshine and the undisturbed views, before it was time to head back to El Chalten.

6^th Section: Laguna de los Tres to El Chalten via Laguna Capri

The descent was much quicker and we had to pass less people coming up. It also gave us the chance to enjoy the views looking the other way. However, it was quite slippery, so hiking poles will be your best friends here.

On the way back, we took the right fork towards Laguna Capri instead of Mirador Fitz Roy. It’s a really beautiful spot with lovely views of the mountain in the distance. From there, the trail joined up with the main one again and led us back to El Chalten. We didn’t particularly enjoy the additional 1.5 km walk back through the town though. Book your stay closer to the trailhead if you can!

Practical Information About the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Hike

Should You Hike Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Independently or with a Guide?

You can totally hike the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres trail on your own. The path is well signposted and very easy to follow. There are also always people on the trail, so you’ll never feel alone if you need any assistance.

That said, if you’re not a confident hiker, or just want to enjoy the trail with like-minded others, then consider joining a guided group hike. Guides can help you along the way and also point out some interesting flora and fauna.

Should You Hike Mount Fitz Roy in One Day or Over 2 Days?

Most people would hike Mount Fitz Roy in one day from a hotel or hostel in El Chalten. However, if you enjoy camping, want to be at Laguna de los Tres for sunrise, or want to also do Laguna Torre the next day, then consider camping for a night.

There are a few campsites dotted around, with the most popular being Poincenot. The campsites aren’t free any more, currently costing $20,000ARS per person (not per tent). You also have to reserve your spot which you can do on this website. If you’re just doing a dedicated Patagonia trip, then we suggest bringing your own equipment. Otherwise, you can rent a tent and other necessities in El Chalten.

There are definitely pros and cons to camping. One pro is that you can hike up in the afternoon when most people would be returning to town. You can even hike up to the lake for sunset, or take the slight detour to Mirador del Glaciar Piedras Blancas. Camping there the night before also means that you won’t need to set a crazy early alarm to get up to the lake for sunrise. On the other hand, you’ll have to carry your camping gear up to the campsite, so if you’re not used to hiking with a heavy load we suggest practicing before your trip. At least you can hike up to the lake without it!

Entry Fee to Los Glaciares National Park

Although the hike used to be free, since 2024 all national parks across Argentina require an entry pass. Currently, the entry fee for foreign visitors to Los Glaciares National Park is $45,000 ARS per day. To save some pennies, there are options for a 3-day or 7-day flexipass. In addition, you can also buy an annual pass for $225,000ARS, which grants you access to all national parks for the year. This may work out cheaper if you’re spending a few months backpacking through Argentina.

You can purchase you entry pass via the official website, as well as see up-to-date prices and discounts.

Best Time to Hike Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres

The best time of the year to hike Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres is between November and March. This is essentially late spring, summer and early autumn in Argentina. During this timeframe, you’ll have more chances of dry, clear and warmer days with plenty of daylight hours. On the other hand, the summer is also the high tourist season in Patagonia, so expect the trail to be more crowded.

In terms of time of the day, we suggest setting off earlier if you want to do the hike in one day. Some people try to make it to Laguna de los Tres for sunrise. Unless you’re camping at Poincenot the night before, you would need to set off pretty early for that. However, if you decide to camp, then you can hike up in the afternoon, then just do the steep ascent before sunrise the next day.

Always check the weather forecast before you set off and be prepared for conditions to change quickly. If you have a few days in El Chalten, we suggest having a sneak peek to see if Fitz Roy is visible from the town or not. We pushed our hike a day and the payoff was worth it.

What to Wear and Bring with You When Hiking the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de Los Tres Trail

Clothing and Footwear. Wear season-appropriate clothing and footwear. When we did this hike at the start of January, it was on quite a warm day, although it can get cooler and windier at the top. Therefore, make sure to wear layers so you can adjust to the conditions. You can wear either shorts or long trousers depending on what you feel more comfortable in. We still suggest taking a fleece and / or a rain jacket. In terms of footwear, try to wear hiking boots or shoes with good grip. We personally like wearing boots for their extra ankle support.

Food and Drinks. Have plenty of drinking water because you’ll be drinking a lot on the way up. Don’t forget to pack some snacks and a packed lunch to help re-fuel your body. Some eateries in El Chalten offer packed lunches in case you don’t have access to a kitchen. We also like to drink some electrolytes or rehydration drinks before and after such a demanding hike.

Additional Items. Also, make sure to have enough SPF on you as the sun can be pretty strong. Take a hat and sunglasses for extra protection as well. The descent can be pretty hard on the knees, so you might want to use poles on the way down.

Where to Stay in El Chalten

The small town of El Chalten is going to be the perfect place to base yourself for a few nights. There are many hotels and hostels here, although expect higher prices per night than in El Calafate. This is because El Chaten is much smaller, so there are naturally less options and a lot of demand. We also recommend booking your stay as early as possible if you’re visiting in the high tourist season.

Top Tip. The length of El Chalten from the main bus terminal to the Fitz Roy trailhead is nearly 2km. If you want to save your legs from walking an extra 4km (there and back) to the trailhead, try to book your hotel closer to the trailhead. You’ll thank yourself at the end of your hike!

Final Thoughts on the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Hike

The Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres hike was probably our favourite hike in southern Patagonia. We were incredibly lucky with the weather to have clear blue skies, next to no cloud cover of the peaks and hardly any wind. Whilst it’s a long trail to do in one day, the most difficult part was the final ascent. The rest of the trail was quite relaxing, not to mention having the stunning views of Fitz Roy the entire way to take your mind off the distance. Whilst camping up there the night before and watching the sunrise would’ve made the trip extra special, we don’t have any regrets setting off later in the day.

Have you ever done this hike before? If so, let us know what your experience was like? If you found this blog post useful and want to show your support, you can buy us a coffee here.