…
- On foot
- By van · 15,4 km
Laguna de los Tres
From the Río Eléctrico bridge to the lake, then down to town
- distance
- 18.3 km
- elevation gain
- +880 m
- highest point
- 1,178 m
- duration
- 8–10 h
- difficulty
- 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 – 18.0 · height 411 – 1,190 m
Route measured on our own track. Touch the profile to see the height at each point.
The numbers
Measured on our own track, with heights from the Copernicus GLO-30 model.
- Walking
- 18.3km
- Transfer by vehicle
- 15.4km
- Total ascent
- +880m
- Total descent
- −927m
- Lowest point
- 415 m
- Highest point
- 1,178 m
- Steepest stretch
- 36 %average grade over 1 km
- Steeper than 15 %
- 4.1 km
- Walking time
- 8–10 h
- Difficulty
- Demanding
The trek
The walk to the foot of Fitz Roy. About 18 km, and the last stretch is a steep climb up the moraine; at the top is the lake, with Fitz Roy right above it.
We start near El Pilar and walk slowly up the Río Blanco valley. As we climb, the valley opens behind us and the spires appear: Saint-Exupéry, Poincenot, Mermoz, Guillaumet and Fitz Roy.
At Río Blanco, the old climbers’ camp, the hard part begins: about 350 metres up the moraine in the last kilometre and a half. At the top the lake appears all at once under the granite walls and the glacier.
We walk back to town past Laguna Capri. Groups are small, so the group sets the pace, not the clock.
How the day goes
- Transfer to the Río Eléctrico bridge
- Lenga forest and the Río Blanco valley
- Final climb up the moraine
- Laguna de los Tres
- Down past Laguna Capri to El Chaltén
What is included
- Professional mountain guide, in Spanish or English
- VHF radio
Extra, if you need it
- Packed lunch
Worth knowing
- The itinerary may change with the weather or trail conditions.
- A good level of fitness is recommended.
- Small groups.
- Tell us beforehand about dietary needs, allergies or medical conditions.
- We send the packing list once your booking is confirmed.
- Private departures are available.
- For safety, the guide may change or call off the route if the mountain asks for it.
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.
Loading the forecast…
Laguna de los Tres: questions
How long is the Laguna de los Tres hike?
With us, 8 to 10 hours: 18.3 km from El Pilar up to the lake and down to town, with about 880 m of climbing.
How hard is Laguna de los Tres?
Demanding. Most of the way is gentle, but the last hour climbs about 400 m up the moraine, on loose and steep rock.
Is there a park fee?
Yes: it is inside Los Glaciares National Park. Since 1/6/2026 a day costs ARS 50,000 for foreign visitors and ARS 25,000 for Argentines, by QR or card (no cash). It is not included in the trek.
Where does it start?
We meet in town and drive to El Pilar, about 15 km along route 23. From there we climb the Río Blanco valley and walk back to town past Laguna Capri.
Is Fitz Roy always visible?
No: it depends on the cloud on the summit. Our mountain forecast shows whether Fitz Roy is in view and which day is best.
Laguna de los Tres or Laguna Torre? · Laguna de los Tres without a guide · The best hikes in El Chaltén · 2 to 5-day itineraries
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.
Other treks