Hito Limítrofe Laguna Larga
This beautiful trek leads you through the most exuberant and practically unexplored forest in the area, until reaching the milestone which marks the border between Argentina and Chile, skirting the hidden Laguna Larga with spectacular views of the Lago Del Desierto and the Fitz Roy massif from the North.
Description
In high season, the boat schedules connecting Punta Sur with Punta Norte of the Lago del Desierto allow you to do this fantastic trek. This is a full day activity from El Chaltén (starting at 8.00 a.m. and returning at around 8.00 p.m.), or a half day activity if you are camping at Punta Sur del Lago Del Desierto (from 10.00 a.m. until approximately 6.30 p.m.)
At 10.00 a.m. the boat sets sail navigating across the lake, reaching Punta Norte in just under an hour. Once in Punta Norte, you have about 6 hours to do this trek, and board the boat at 5.30 p.m. back to Punta Sur.
The lake is located 37 km from El Chaltén, if you do not have your own vehicle you can take any of the services of the private transfers in El Chaltén.
The trail begins just behind the National Gendarmerie Post, where the forest begins next to a small stream.
The trail immediately begins to ascend, and as you gain altitude you will discover the landscape behind you: the Lago Del Desierto in its full extension, framed by the Del Bosque range to the east and the Vespignani range with its hanging glaciers to the west.
After about half an hour of ascent, the path begins to decrease and the trail enters an overwhelming Lenga forest really silent and very little visited.
The trail goes across some basic tree trunk bridges over the small stream coming from the Larga lagoon.
More or less an hour from the start, there is a “mallín” (muddy land due to moisture saturation) that must be surrounded on the right, and the trail always continues in the same direction North to enter again the last stretch of the forest while the path gains a little more altitude.
After a few minutes you can see from the top the beautiful Larga lagoon hidden in this virgin forest.
The last stretch of the trek passes by some old abandoned facilities of the National Gendarmerie and a few steps from there, it is the “Hito Limítrofe” the milestone that marks the dividing line of waters that defines the border with Chile. From this point at almost 40 km away you can admire the granitic mass of the Fitz Roy Mount that continues to stand out in the landscape towards the South.
From here it begins the trek to Candelario Mansilla, from where you can take a boat to get to Villa O'Higgins.
Documentation
o access this trail, you must have your personal documents and register at the National Gendarmerie Post.
Views
During the boat ride you can enjoy the views of the Vespignani range, its hanging glaciers and several waterfalls.