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- On foot
- By van · 15,4 km
Cerro Madsen
A real summit, with the Ice Field behind
- distance
- 20.6 km
- elevation gain
- +1,410 m
- highest point
- 1,789 m
- duration
- 10–11 h
- difficulty
- Very demanding
Stretch by stretch
The trail cut into stretches, measured on the track. Tap one to see it on the map and the profile; up top, the 3D camera flies there.
- On foot
- By van
km 0 – 9.8 · height 455 – 1,802 m
Approximate route: OpenStreetMap trails to the top. Touch the profile to see the height at each point.
The numbers
Measured on the OpenStreetMap route (approximate), with heights from the Copernicus GLO-30 model.
- Walking
- 20.6km
- Transfer by vehicle
- 15.4km
- Total ascent
- +1,410m
- Total descent
- −1,410m
- Lowest point
- 456 m
- Highest point
- 1,789 m
- Steepest stretch
- 48 %average grade over 1 km
- Steeper than 15 %
- 6.4 km
- Walking time
- 10–11 h
- Difficulty
- Very demanding
The trek
An alpine ascent for experienced hikers: from the top of Madsen you see Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, the Viedma Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
We start early with the transfer to the Río Eléctrico bridge and follow the classic trail toward Río Blanco through the lenga forest.
Leaving the main trail, the climb steepens up rocky slopes. Varied, demanding ground: sure footing and a steady pace, with the guide beside you.
At the top, one of the most impressive views in Patagonia. We come down carefully the same way.
How the day goes
- Transfer to the Río Eléctrico bridge
- Trail to Río Blanco through the forest
- Climb up rocky slopes
- Summit of Cerro Madsen
- Down the same way
Wind on the way
It is the first thing we check in the morning. Town can be calm while the lake is blowing hard, so we show both heights.
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Cerro Madsen: questions
How hard is Cerro Madsen?
Very demanding: about 20.6 km out and back from El Pilar, 1410 m of climbing, and the last part up steep rocky slopes.
What do you see from the summit?
Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, the Viedma Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Are there fixed dates?
No: we run it on request, with a guide for your group. Write to us with the date and group size.
Live
The mountain logbook
What people who walked with us write, as soon as they are back. No marketing filter: we read it, approve it and it appears here, with its date.
The whole logbook →The logbook opens this season: every hiker gets a link when they are back and what they write appears here, dated. The first entry could be yours.
Photos
What happens when you book
The full policy →- 01Written confirmationYour place is confirmed once we receive payment and send you the confirmation.
- 02Meeting point and timeThey come with the confirmation. Depending on the trek, we meet in town or pick you up.
- 03What to bringWe send you the list: hiking boots with good grip, warm layers, a waterproof jacket, water and food.
- 04If the weather says noThe guide decides. If we cannot go, we move you to the next date or give you credit for another trek.
- 05If you need to cancel30 days or more before: full refund; 15 to 29 days: 50%; under 15 days: no refund.
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