Scenic TREK to LAGUNA TORRE in El Chalten 🥾 This is the TREKKING CAPITAL of Patagonia, Argentina! 🇦🇷

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In today's video, we're tackling the Laguna Torre trail in the trekking capital of Argentina! This is an 18-kilometre loop that leads to a lagoon with views of Cerro Torre, and it's one of the better-known treks in El Chalten, though not quite as hard as the one we trekked the previous day to Laguna de Los Tres. A few points of interest for anyone trekking to Laguna Torre include the Margarita Waterfall (Km 0.7), the Torre Lookout (2.5), the trail towards Madre e Hija (Km 5), the De Agostini campground for anyone staying overnight (Km 8), and finally Laguna Torre (Km 9).

This is a medium-difficulty trail with the majority of the elevation gain at the start of the trek, but then things really flatten out around Km 3.5-4, so it's easy to gain a lot of ground. A few of the things we enjoyed about this trail was the fact that we had a hanging glacier on the horizon, which was really motivating, plus we got to hike through forests, along rivers, and past lagoons. It was a fun day of trekking in Patagonia and we'd highly recommend the Laguna Torre trek if you're visiting El Chalten.

#elchalten #trekking #lagunatorre

🥾 Laguna Torre Hike | Hiking Cerro Torre, Patagonia Argentina: Full Trek, Picnic, and Foodie Recovery!

🌄 Morning in El Chaltén: Getting Ready for the Trail

Good morning from El Chaltén, one of our favorite towns in Argentine Patagonia! We woke up with a sense of anticipation for another classic trek. Today, we set our sights on the famous Laguna Torre hike—arguably the second most popular trail in the region. Our legs were still recovering from a previous 20+ kilometer hike, but the return of perfect weather and the promise of an “easier” 18-kilometer day made this the ideal moment to hit the trail. We picked up our packed lunch, grabbed plenty of water, and set out, eager for mountain views, forests, and the possibility of spotting rare wildlife.

🌲 Into the Forest: Waterfalls, Wildlife & Snack Breaks

We started our trek at a relaxed pace, marveling at the early views—first the powerful Cascada Margarita tumbling down in sections, then panoramas of Fitz Roy and other Patagonian peaks. The weather was ideal: sunny, cool, and, once inside the forest, surprisingly sheltered from the wind. Frequent snack breaks kept our energy up—today’s “mini lunch” included a rice and veggie salad, peanut bars, apples, muffins, candies, and bottled water. Along the way, we discovered a tranquil pond, perfect for a peaceful pause and reflection. The trail was quieter than other routes, with enough solitude to fully appreciate the landscapes.

🏞️ Scenic Lookouts: Glacier Views and Trail Variety

Passing the Mirador del Torre, we enjoyed clear glacier views and a sweep of jagged peaks, although Cerro Torre itself remained shrouded in cloud. We were impressed by the variety along the route: haunted forest sections, sun-dappled groves of towering trees, and open valleys, all offering new vantage points and visual interest. The intermediate rating proved accurate—while the first three kilometers involved some climbing, the rest of the hike leveled out into a wide, scenic valley with minimal effort required. It was the kind of trail you could truly savor, stopping often for photos or to simply soak up the silence.

🥪 Laguna Torre: Cloudy Views & Picnic Lunch

Reaching Laguna Torre felt like an achievement—especially knowing we’d taken it easy and still made great time. The iconic mountain peaks were hidden by dense cloud, and the lake was muted, its waters murky and cold, with a few little icebergs floating near the shore. While it couldn’t match the “wow factor” of a clear Fitz Roy day, the surrounding mountain ranges and the wild, remote feel were still incredible. We set up our picnic and reflected on the journey: today was truly about the hike rather than the destination. After a quick visit to the De Agostini campsite (and a longing look at campers cooking noodles!), we began the return journey, motivated by the promise of a hearty dinner.

🔄 Hike Comparison: Laguna Torre vs. Fitz Roy

Looking back, we agreed that while Fitz Roy offers unbeatable end-point views, Laguna Torre provided a more enjoyable hiking experience overall. The initial climb was easier, the trail more varied, and the valley walk after kilometer three a breeze. The route offered plenty of rest points, interesting forests, and glacier views to keep us motivated. By the time we returned to our hotel, full of food and tired but happy, we realized just how manageable this hike was compared to the tougher Fitz Roy circuit—making it a perfect choice for those wanting to experience Patagonia’s beauty without the exhaustion.

Scenic TREK to LAGUNA TORRE in El Chalten 🌿 | This is the TREKKING CAPITAL of Argentina! 🇦🇷

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