Roadside viewpoints

The road to the viewpoints

• 22 kmthere and back
• Pavedall the way
• Under 2 hwith stops

It is the perfect outing for a free afternoon, a rest day between hikes or when the weather rules out the mountains: effortless, just minutes from town and in a completely different setting. In a few kilometres you leave the valley behind and find yourself on the open steppe, with the wind, the horizon and the peaks at your back.

The best times are sunrise and sunset, when the low sun turns Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre red. Bring a hot drink to enjoy at the viewpoint.

Previous Next

Kilometre by kilometre

The viewpoints, in the order they appear from El Chaltén:

1. 1.2 km0.7 miYPF fuel point (Módulo de Abastecimiento Social, MAS): a basic fuel station with regular petrol (nafta súper) and diesel only. In season it is usually open from 8 am to 8 pm, and it has no public facilities such as toilets or water.
2. 2.2 km1.4 miFirst viewpoint: the view of the town, the peaks and the De las Vueltas valley. Condors often fly past, and black-chested buzzard-eagles are frequent too, both high up and flying low.
3. 6.3 km3.9 miDe las Vueltas river canyon: car park and a trail of just 200 metres to the edge of the canyon. Another postcard of the steppe and the southern Andes, with the fast, winding De las Vueltas river below.
4. 10.8 km6.7 miSecond viewpoint: the full panorama of the range and, to the east and south, the vast steppe and Lake Viedma. This is where you turn back.

Previous Next

Flora and fauna along the road

In a few kilometres the landscape changes from valley to steppe, an open environment where wildlife is easy to spot. These are just some of the plants and animals you may come across.

The steppe

• Coirón grasses: the tough tussock grasses that give the steppe its golden colour.
• Mata negra and neneo: low, stunted shrubs, adapted to wind and drought.
• Calafate: the thorny shrub with yellow flowers and purple berries that gives its name to the neighbouring town.
• Flowers: in spring, flowers such as the desert amancay or the evening primrose (Don Diego de la noche), which opens its flowers at dusk, peek out among the shrubs.

The animals

• Condor: it glides over the valley and often passes very close to the First Viewpoint.
• Black-chested buzzard-eagle: another common raptor, perching on posts and hilltops.
• Guanaco: roams the steppe in herds and crosses the road without warning.
• Grey fox: it comes close to the viewpoints; do not feed it.