Laguna Torre
Beside Laguna De los Tres, this is a great classic you can not miss. A valley trek that will take you to an overwhelming site of mountains and glaciers. Here stands Cerro Torre, one of the most difficult and extraordinary climbs in the world
Itinerary
From El Chaltén there are two head trails to Laguna Torre ; both paths merge within 5 minutes walk.
The trail enters the valley of the Fitz Roy river and follows up alongside the stream to its source. At only 15 minutes walk you will access the first viewpoint located at the gorge of the Fitz Roy river which offers an impressive panoramic view of the Cerro Solo, Adela range, Cerro Torre and the Mount Fitz Roy. Across the river canyon lies the Margarita waterfall.
Halfway through the path you will reach a natural viewpoint with magnificent panoramic views of the Adela range, Cerro Torre and the satellite granite needles. Finally the trail crosses the De Agostini base camp where it is possible to spend the night in your tent.
Leaving behind the campground, the path continues towards the frontal moraine, which ascends until reaching its crest after walking for 15 minutes.
From there it is possible to go down to the Torre lagoon, or to continue along the same ridge for another 2 km to the Maestri viewpoint. This lagoon tends to group numerous icebergs on its shore which has fallen off from the front face of the Grande glacier.
The mountains are always seen from the West, so they are directly illuminated by the sun only in the morning. You will achieve the best photographs at sunrise, when the color of the granite walls become saturated for a few minutes and the sunlight reach them for the first time. This picture is reserved only for those who stay overnight in the De Agostini campground waiting for that magical moment with a camera ready for when the sun comes up.
Recommendations: If you plan to stay or spend the night in the De Agostini camp site, we suggest you to read carefully the “Recommendations during your stay”. Although the access to this viewpoint is possible during most of the year, in winter time will vary depending on the accumulation of snow or melting mud on the footpath, especially on its final stretch. We recommend you always check the condition of the trails in the Visitors´ Centre of Los Glaciares National Park located just before entrance to the tourist village. You must bear in mind that this trek requires several hours, so if you are not going to spend the night at De Agostini camp site, we suggest you start early in the morning, if possible before 8 a.m. in the summer months.
Photography
The most spectacular photos are taken when the granite walls are dyed red at sunrise.
Before setting off
Always check the condition of the trails in the Visitors´ Centre of Los Glaciares National Park.
Do not forget
Pack lunch and water. Sun hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen lotion. Gloves, a warm hat and a warm jacket. Waterproof jacket.