Is this the Best Hike in Patagonia? Hiking in El Chalten, Argentina

July 14, 2024

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Photographing Patagonia: The Trail to Laguna Torre

Patagonia, a region renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse hiking trails, offers some of the most spectacular outdoor experiences in the world. Among these, the trail to Laguna Torre in El Chalten stands out as a contender for the best hike in Patagonia.

With its stunning views, varied environments, and moderate difficulty, this trail attracts hikers from all over the globe. In this post, we explore what makes the Laguna Torre trail so special, from the length and conditions to the best times to visit and tips for capturing its beauty through photography.

During my visit in April, the autumn colours were at their peak, turning this hike into a colourful wonderland that took me three times as long to complete because I couldn’t resist stopping to take hundreds of photos along the way.

The Laguna Torre Trail Overview

The trail to Laguna Torre is approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) round trip, making it a full-day hike for most trekkers. Starting from the village of El Chalten, the trail is well-marked and accessible, suitable for hikers of varying experience levels. You can opt to do the full route to Laguna Torre, or just venture to some of the earlier viewpoints to peer down into the canyon, toward the glaciers and then return to town for lunch.

If you can though, I’d suggest making the most of this adventure and allowing a full day to experience the incredible beauty found along the entire length of this trail. Start early and maximise your time outdoors, you’ll be thankful for an early rise once you get to the lagoon and can relax while photographing glaciers, dramatic peaks and icebergs!

The hike begins with a pretty steep but short ascent, offering panoramic views of the Fitz Roy range before descending into the lush valley of the Rio Fitz Roy. If you’ve got hiking poles, this will be the main point to use them because if it’s dry and dusty, or wet and muddy, the slope up can get a little slippery. It’s a relatively short section though, and once at the top, the trail chills out!

As you continue, the trail winds through native forests, along ridge lines and beside the cascading river before opening up to expansive plains with towering views of the surrounding peaks. The final stretch of the trail brings you to Laguna Torre, a stunning glacial lake surrounded by dramatic cliffs and the iconic Cerro Torre.

This is such a short summary of what I consider one of the best hikes I’ve ever done, both photographically and personally. It’s such a magic trail! Let’s explore more about how to make the most of your visit.

Best Time to Visit Laguna Torre

Patagonia’s weather can be unpredictable, but understanding the best times to visit can enhance your hiking experience. The most popular season for hiking the Laguna Torre trail is during the southern hemisphere summer, from November to February, when the weather is relatively mild and the days are long.

However, autumn (March to May) offers a unique and arguably more beautiful experience. In April, the foliage transforms into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows, providing a striking contrast against the snow-capped peaks and blue skies. The cooler temperatures also mean fewer crowds, allowing for a more serene hiking experience.

While the days of autumn are shorter than summer, you can still get started around 7am, enjoy sunrise on the trail, and have a full day out, returning as the sun sets just in time for dinner in El Chalten. I actually didn’t start the hike until 10am because I was umming and ahhing about whether to do it that day or not, I even stopped for a coffee at PAISA on the way! After seeing the photography opportunities on the trail, I really wish I had started at 7am for an extra three hours to play with.

Trail Conditions and Preparation

The trail to Laguna Torre is considered moderate in difficulty, but it’s essential to be prepared for varying conditions. It’s well marked, and well-trodden, with a mixture of dirt trails, stone steps, and there’s a lot of exposed tree roots so if you’re a little unsteady on your feet, just keep an eye out or use hiking poles for additional stability.

The weather in Patagonia can change rapidly, with strong winds, rain, and even snow possible at any time of year.

Recommended Gear when hiking in El Chalten:

Layered clothing to adjust to changing temperatures.
Waterproof jacket and pants.
Sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support.
Trekking poles for added stability.
Sunglasses (I lost mine on the trail because I put them down to take photos, and wow did I struggle with the glare at the glacier lagoon!)

Safety Tips:

Always check the weather forecast before setting out.
Carry a map and compass (or have them on your phone if you’ve got a portable charger), even though the trail is well-marked. I like using All Trails which helps to track your position as you’re moving.
Let your accommodation provider know where you’re heading for the day.
Bring plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and energised.

My Experience Photographing the Hike to Laguna Torre

Having hiked the Mirador Base de Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park, I was hesitant to do another long trail. That one was such a challenge and I barely made it to the top! The hike to Laguna Torre however, was a treat.

It’s classed as ‘moderate’, which as you know if you’ve done a number of hikes can mean it’s either extremely tough, actually moderate, or relatively easy. I’d actually put Laguna Torre on the easier end of the scale. While it’s long and covers a lot of varied terrain, it’s gorgeous, and the scenery alone is enough to distract you enough to not realise how far you’re actually walking.

There aren’t too many steep sections, and any parts that are a little harder to climb, are quite short, so you can take a break at the top and continue walking at a decent pace.

Key points of interest for me were the forests around Mirador Cerro Torre with lenga and woodlands providing a stunning landscape, particularly with the vibrant autumn foliage. Next up, the last third of the trail is photogenic from start to finish…you’ll likely take the majority of your photos here so be sure to allow time to stop on the way back as the light will have completely changed the setting too!

Just to make a note on light, I found the morning and midday light provided the best conditions along the trail. On the walk back, a lot of the track was in shadow (this was late afternoon), so it was quite dark compared to the earlier hours.

Photographing at Laguna Torre was of course the highlight for me. As a glacier and ice-obsessed photographer, I loved experimenting with various compositions and angles using the frozen surface of the lake, chunks of icebergs, and the afternoon light.

Gear Used:

In my camera bag I had the following photography gear for this trail.

OM SYSTEM OM-1 + OM-1 MKII camera bodies

40-150mm f2.8 pro lens (read about using zoom lenses here)

12-40mm f2.8 pro lens

7-14mm f2.8 pro lens

MC-20 2x teleconverter

For the majority of the hike, I had the 40-150mm f2.8 lens on, I find it’s such a versatile lens that’s ideal for landscape photography, particularly when you’re capturing some of the finer details within the scene. Also, due to the innovative weather sealing on the cameras, I was able to get up really close to the ice without fear it would melt and drip on the camera.

A Special Moment

After photographing the lagoon, the descent back to the trail leads through a forest at the foothills of the mountain. The light was getting low, it was quite dark while wandering through, however, the most enchanting birdsong started happening all around us. We stood, completely still for 20 minutes just soaking it in, listening as they flapped their tiny wings from branch to branch and sung their little feathers off. It was magic and I’ll be sharing it on The Soundscape Studio very soon.

By stopping in the forest, it meant darkness was closing in as we got closer to town. Sunset passed with still about 30 minutes to hike, however, to our surprise, just as we began the steep path back into El Chalten, a magnificent full moon rose above the distant peaks before us. Again, so magic, so unexpected…that’ll teach me not to check the lunar calendar to anticipate a full moon, but I love a good case of ‘right place, right time’.

The trail to Laguna Torre in El Chalten is more than just a hike; it’s an immersive journey through some of Patagonia’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. From the vibrant autumn foliage (if you’re hiking in April) to the towering glaciers and serene glacial lakes, every step offers a new visual feast to photograph.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, a passionate photographer, or looking to connect with nature and the Patagonian wilderness, this trail provides an unforgettable experience. So, is this the best hike in Patagonia? I believe it just might be.

Lace up your boots, grab your camera, and discover the magic of Laguna Torre for yourself.