Refugio Piedra del Fraile
The Piedra del Fraile refuge is in the Río Eléctrico valley, about a 2-hour walk from the Río Eléctrico bridge, which is 17 km from El Chaltén on Provincial Route 41. It offers a camping area, shared dorms for 4 and 6 people (bring your own sleeping bag) and a restaurant serving homemade food; payment is cash only. It is open from November 1 to April 6.
A place to pass through and a place to meet, a true classic in the area with unique views. It's an ideal spot to spend the night and regain your strength before heading out to Marconi Glacier or Pollone Glacier. To get from El Chaltén to the access trail, if you don't have your own vehicle, you can hire a private transfer in El Chaltén.
In the area, we also have Puesto Cagliero Mountain Refuge, located in the Los Huemules reserve.
Good to know
We speak: Spanish and English.
Open from November 1 to April 6.
Pets not allowed.
Services
Campsite
Spacious area sheltered by the forest from the wind, for pitching your tent on the shore of the Río Eléctrico.
Dorms
Two shared dorms for four people and one shared dorm for six people. Beds with mattresses.
Restaurant
Restaurant with homemade food. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for sale.
A place to pass through and meet
Trails to Pollone Glacier, Paso Del Cuadrado, Lago Eléctrico, Paso Marconi, etc.
Location
Río Eléctrico valley, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
From El Chaltén, drive 17 km along RP41 (gravel road) to the bridge over the Río Eléctrico. Then head west along a signposted trail toward Lago Eléctrico, for about two hours of hiking. View trek
Location map
Total distance from El Chaltén: 23.5 km. (17 km via Provincial Route 41 + 6.5 km on foot).
From El Calafate Airport: 200 km to El Chaltén, about 3 hours by bus; from there, half an hour by taxi on a gravel road to the Río Eléctrico bridge and about a 2-hour walk to the refuge.
What our guests say
“Nice and cozy place with special vibe and full of history. Run by family that creates ‘always welcome’ spirit and cook home style deserts and dinners.”
“[…] We had a great camping night at piedra del fraile and beautiful hike to Laguna Pollone”
“Stopped in on a day hike and had one of the best peach cakes/tortas I’ve ever had. Crazy considering the location.”
Frequently asked questions
About the refuge
The refuge has a large plot for camping, shared dorms (you must bring your own sleeping bag), bathrooms and a restaurant where you can enjoy a hot meal and drinks. There is no hot water or shared kitchen.
Refugio Piedra del Fraile is located in Río Eléctrico valley, on the shore of the Río Eléctrico, with views of the north face of Fitz Roy and Cerro Eléctrico, among others. The total distance from El Chaltén is 23.5 km. (17 km via Provincial Route 41 + 6.5 km on foot)
Refugio Piedra del Fraile can only be reached on foot, along a low-difficulty trail of approximately two hours, starting at the Río Eléctrico bridge, 17 km from El Chaltén via Provincial Route 41. You can reach the bridge by your own vehicle or by hiring a private transfer from town.
Since this is a remote area, hikes require registration and guidance provided by the National Parks Administration..
Bookings and contact
No reservation is needed for camping, nor for the dorms for groups of fewer than 4 people.
You can send your message using the "Send your enquiry" button, or the "Chat on WhatsApp" button.
Payments are cash only, as there is no signal or electronic payment methods available on site.
Useful information for your trip
Argentina
Official language: Spanish (castellano). In Buenos Aires and tourist areas, English is fairly well understood. Demonym: Argentine / Argentinian.
Currency: Argentine peso (ARS). Symbol: $. ISO code: ARS. US dollars are accepted at many hotels and tourist businesses (always ask about the exchange rate). There are official and parallel exchange rates ("dólar blue"). Recommended: exchange money at official exchange houses, banks, or Western Union. Bring clean, low-denomination cash dollars. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities; cash is essential in small towns and for tips/taxis.
220-230 V / 50 Hz. Type C outlets (European, two round pins) and type I (Australian-style, two flat V-shaped pins + ground). Bring a universal adapter.
Valid passport (at least 3-6 months of remaining validity and blank pages recommended). Citizens of most countries in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, etc. don't need a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days. Always check with the Argentine embassy for your specific nationality. Additional entry requirements: round-trip ticket or proof of onward travel. Sufficient funds (approx. USD 50/day). Travel medical insurance (recommended/required under recent regulations – check whether Decree 366/2025 is in force; many sources require it with minimum coverage for emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation). A sworn declaration in some cases.
Time zone: UTC-3 (Argentina Time – ART) across the whole mainland. Daylight saving time has not been used since 2009. Phone code: +54.
911 (general emergencies – police/ambulance, with English-language support in Buenos Aires City). 100 Fire department. 107 Ambulance (SAME). 101 Police. Buenos Aires also has a dedicated Tourist Police.
Driving is on the right. A valid national license plus an international driving permit is recommended (depending on agreements and the rental company). Legal minimum age is 17 (rental companies usually require 21+).
In Buenos Aires: the SUBE card is used for the subway, buses, and trains. Useful apps: Cabify, Uber, BA Taxi.
Generally safe in major cities (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, etc.). In rural or remote areas, bottled water is recommended.
Not mandatory but expected for good service. Restaurants: 10%. Taxis: round up or leave the change. Hotels: bellhops and housekeeping as appropriate. Guides: 10%.
Good 4G/5G coverage in cities. Prepaid SIM cards are easy to buy (Claro, Movistar, Personal) with your passport. WiFi is common in hotels, cafés, and airports.
No mandatory vaccines. Recommended: routine vaccines up to date, plus yellow fever if visiting the north (Iguazú and surrounding areas). Medical insurance is strongly advised (and possibly required).
Highly varied: subtropical in the north, temperate in the center, cold/subantarctic in Patagonia. The best time to visit depends on the region (southern summer, Dec-Feb, for most of the country; winter for skiing).
Mealtimes run late (dinner starts around 9 pm). Siesta is common in inland towns. Mate-drinking culture. Asado (barbecue), empanadas, Malbec wine.
Normal precautions apply, as in any big city. Watch out for pickpockets in touristy areas of Buenos Aires. Avoid displaying valuables.
El Chaltén
El Chaltén is located about 210-220 km north of El Calafate via Route 40 + Route 41, fully paved: about 2.5 hours by car or private transfer, and about 3 hours by bus or shuttle, due to stops.
Chaltenense (the term used for people from El Chaltén).
High season: October to April (best for trekking). Peak: December-February (longer days, more visitors). Shoulder season: October-November and March-April (fewer crowds, good fall colors). Low season / winter: May-September (many services close, snow, difficult trails; for experienced visitors only).
The closest airport is Armando Tola International Airport, also known as El Calafate Airport (FTE). El Chaltén has no airport of its own. It's only reachable by land: daily buses run from El Calafate, usually departing in the morning, midday, and afternoon during the tourist season. Private transfers and rental cars are also an option. In high season, it's best to book in advance.
Extremely variable (all 4 seasons can happen in a single day). Very strong winds (Patagonia). Summer temperatures: 10-20°C (50-68°F) during the day, cool at night. Winter temperatures: -5 to 5°C (23-41°F) during the day, very cold at night. Layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, and a windbreaker are essential.
220V / 50Hz (same plug types as the rest of Argentina: C and I). Internet and cell signal are limited or intermittent (better in the town center). WiFi is available at most accommodations, though not always stable. Satellite internet (Starlink) is being adopted quickly. Mobile service: 4G (Movistar, Claro).
There's a branch of Banco Santa Cruz. ATMs (Banco Santa Cruz / Red LINK) are available, but they can be out of order or run out of cash. It's best to withdraw money in El Calafate beforehand.
There's a local health center with basic care and an ambulance (Puesto Sanitario). Serious emergencies are evacuated to El Calafate. Travel insurance with mountain/rescue coverage is highly recommended.
There's a YPF fuel station (Módulo de Abastecimiento Social, MAS) at the entrance to town, offering diesel and Super gasoline. Postal service: Correo Argentino.
Currency exchange offices.
A small, quiet town, 100% focused on trekking and nature. A backpacker and mountain-lover atmosphere. Meal and business hours are earlier than in Buenos Aires. There's a strong "mountain culture" and respect for the environment.
Since late 2024, there's an entrance fee for the main trails. Tickets are purchased online or via QR code (cash is not accepted at the trailheads). Multi-day passes are available.