Fitz Roy or Torres del Paine

What is the most beautiful trek in Patagonia?

It is a matter of taste, but two treks top most lists: the day hike to Laguna de los Tres below Fitz Roy, and the W Trek in Torres del Paine. Laguna de los Tres packs the closest trail view of the Fitz Roy granite into one day; the W Trek strings several great views together over four or five.

The table compares the main options on both sides of the border. Distances and days for the Chilean treks are the figures outfitters usually give, so treat them as approximate.

Is it better to go to Patagonia in Chile or Argentina?

Go to both if you can. Argentina gives you Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre on day hikes from El Chaltén, plus the Perito Moreno glacier from El Calafate; Chile gives you Torres del Paine, best known for multi-day treks between refugios and campsites.

Choose Argentina if you prefer to sleep in a bed, travel light and keep your plans flexible: in El Chaltén you can wait for a clear morning and set off on foot from your door. Choose Chile if you want the classic multi-day trek, with its sequence of lakes, valleys and glaciers, and you are happy to book campsites or refugios months ahead.

Many travellers combine them, crossing between El Calafate and Puerto Natales by bus. On the Argentine side, plan two to four days in El Chaltén; getting there from El Calafate, about 215 km and around 3 hours by road, is covered in the El Chaltén guide.

What is the most famous hike in Torres del Paine?

The W Trek, about 80 km over four or five days, and its highlight, the day hike to Mirador Base Las Torres. That viewpoint, at about 900 m, faces the three granite towers above a glacial lake.

The W is named for its shape on the map: three valleys walked in and out, to Base Las Torres, into the Valle del Francés and along Lago Grey to the Grey glacier. Most people walk it with nights in refugios or campsites, and overnight stays inside the park need a reservation made well in advance. The day hike to Base Las Torres is about 20 to 22 km round trip and 8 to 9 hours on foot, with a steep boulder section near the top, not unlike the last hour to Laguna de los Tres.

The path to Base Las Torres crosses a private reserve and needs its own trail ticket on top of park entry, and access can run by time slots. The rules change from season to season, so check the current booking systems before you travel.

How does the Fitz Roy hike compare with Base Las Torres?

They are close cousins: both are long day hikes of about 20 to 25 km, 8 to 9 hours, ending with a steep rocky climb to a lake below granite spires. The difference is logistics: Laguna de los Tres starts on foot from El Chaltén, while Base Las Torres starts about 2 hours by road from Puerto Natales.

The trail to Laguna de los Tres climbs about 750 m from town to the viewpoint at roughly 1,170 m. The last hour is the steepest part: a rocky climb of about 400 m in roughly 1 km, where poles and sturdy boots help. Neither hike needs technical skills, and both are safe with good preparation: an early start, layers, water and food, and a willingness to turn back if the wind or cloud builds.

Because El Chaltén sits at the trailhead, you can pick your day at short notice. Los Glaciares National Park charges an access ticket for the El Chaltén trails in the main season; buy it online from Parques Nacionales ticket site before you set out. If you are coming from El Calafate for one day only, the Laguna de los Tres guided trek runs on odd-numbered dates and is non-refundable once booked.

What not to miss in Patagonia?

On a first trip: Laguna de los Tres below Fitz Roy, Laguna Torre below Cerro Torre, the Perito Moreno glacier from El Calafate, and the towers of Torres del Paine. Add a boat on Lake Viedma or Lake Argentino if you have time.

• Laguna de los Tres: the signature Fitz Roy hike from El Chaltén; keep it for your clearest day.
• Laguna Torre: a gentler valley walk with modest climbing to a glacier lake with small icebergs.
• Mirador de los Cóndores: a short walk above El Chaltén, lovely at sunset.
• The Perito Moreno glacier: about an hour from El Calafate, with boardwalks facing the ice front.
• Torres del Paine: the Base Las Torres day hike or the W Trek.
• Lake Viedma: icebergs and glaciers seen on the drive in and from boat trips.

More ideas for the El Chaltén area are on the homepage, and the best months for all of this are in the best time to hike Fitz Roy.

Want a gentler taste of the Fitz Roy trail between bigger days? The guided Laguna Capri hike from El Calafate reaches the forest lake that mirrors Fitz Roy, with a Patagonian picnic on the shore and poles provided.

★ 4.9 (24) · 13 hours · Full refund up to 24 h ahead

Explore the Laguna Capri hike →

What is the most famous peak in Patagonia?

Fitz Roy, 3,405 m, is the most recognisable skyline, with Cerro Torre beside it and the three towers of Torres del Paine across the border in Chile. Fitz Roy is also the emblem of Argentina's Santa Cruz province.

Monte Fitz Roy rises to 3,405 m on the border between Argentina and Chile, and its sheer granite spire has made it one of the best-known mountains in the world. Cerro Torre, 3,102 m, is its thinner, even steeper neighbour. The skyline of Fitz Roy inspired the logo of the Patagonia outdoor brand, and the peak appears on Santa Cruz province's flag and coat of arms.

Hikers see these peaks from the lakes at their feet; the summits themselves are technical alpine climbs. The difference is explained in climbing Fitz Roy versus hiking it.

What is the riskiest trek in the world?

Not Laguna de los Tres. The treks often named as the world's toughest are high-altitude or remote routes far from roads; the Fitz Roy hike is a well-marked day hike at modest altitude, safe with good preparation.

The highest point of the Fitz Roy hike is around 1,170 m, so altitude is not a concern. The trail is marked and busy in season, and the national park visitor centre at the entrance to town gives the day's trail and weather update. What asks for care is the steep, loose last section and the wind: wear good boots, use poles on the descent, carry layers and a windproof, and turn back at Poincenot if the weather turns.

• Start early and aim to be back in town before dark.
• No mobile signal on the trails, so let someone know your plan.
• In an emergency in Santa Cruz province, dial 911.

How do you combine Fitz Roy, El Calafate and Torres del Paine?

Fly into El Calafate, spend two to four days in El Chaltén for Fitz Roy, return to El Calafate for the Perito Moreno glacier, then take the bus to Puerto Natales for Torres del Paine. Ten to fourteen days covers all three at a comfortable pace.

A common order: El Calafate (one night), El Chaltén (three nights, hiking on the clearest days), back to El Calafate for the glacier, then Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine for a day hike or the W Trek. The bus between El Calafate and Puerto Natales takes roughly half a day including the border crossing, so plan it as a travel day and carry your passport.

At the glacier, the Perito Moreno glacier day gives about three hours on the boardwalks facing the ice, with an optional boat ride, rated 4.7 from 2,754 reviews. For a walk on the ice itself, the Perito Moreno mini trekking crosses by boat and walks on the glacier with crampons and a guide. Both refund in full if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead.

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