Laguna Torre – a full day hike from El Chalten, Argentina

The first time we hiked Laguna Torre, we started this 20km hike from the same point as Laguna Capri hike.

Start of hiking trails near El Chalten, Argentina
Start of hiking trails near El Chalten, Argentina

After the trail split we continued through the forest on a mostly flat trail. We were spotted an orchid which was very exciting.

Porcelain orchid, Chloraea Magellanica on the trail to Laguna Torre, Argentina
Porcelain orchid, Chloraea Magellanica on the trail to Laguna Torre, Argentina
Sign at Mirador Cerro Torre, Argentina
Sign at Mirador Cerro Torre, Argentina

Mirador Cerro Torre is mean to provide the view of Cerro Torre. But on the day we arrived that part of the range was covered by a very thick cloud. We could se Cerro Solo very well, but no Cerro Torre. We still decided to go ahead and see what we see at the lagoon.

View of Cerro Solo and obstructed by clouds Cerro Torre over Fitz Roy river valley, Argentina
View of Cerro Solo and obstructed by clouds Cerro Torre over Fitz Roy river valley, Argentina
Views on the trail to Laguna Torre along Fitz Roy River, Argentina
Views on the trail to Laguna Torre along Fitz Roy River, Argentina

At the lagoon there was a lot of floating ice that broke off the glacier. Cerro Torre was still covered by thick cloud and there was no any sign of it lifting, unlike on our Laguna Capri hike.

Laguna Torre with ice and cloud covered Cerro Torre, Argentina
Laguna Torre with ice and cloud covered Cerro Torre, Argentina

We still enjoyed the hike and did not find it too difficult. On our last full day in El Chalten we decided to do Lagune Torre hike again as weather looked much better. This time we started from a different point. This one is also in El Chalten and not too far to the one with all other trails that we used before. It provides a slight shortcut it seems at the start of the hike. Or maybe it is an older trailhead because the sign looked older and there were no guards checking passes. But there were many hikers heading through.

Sign for the Laguna Torre hike, El Chalten, Argentina
Sign for the Laguna Torre hike, El Chalten, Argentina
Sign on Laguna Torre hike, Argentina
Sign on Laguna Torre hike, Argentina

What a difference. Now at Mirador Cerro Torre we had a clear view of the Cerro Torre and glacier next to it.

Mirador Cerro Torre, Argentina
Mirador Cerro Torre, Argentina
View over Fitz Roy River valley to Serro Torre and Cerro Solo, Argentina
View over Fitz Roy River valley to Serro Torre and Cerro Solo, Argentina

We spent some time at the lagoon eating our sandwiches and enjoying the view and nice weather. There seemed to be less ice than the first time in the lagoon. And more hikers.

Laguna Torre and Cerro Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Laguna Torre and Cerro Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Laguna Torre and Cerro Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Laguna Torre and Cerro Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Glacier at Laguna Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Glacier at Laguna Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Cerro Solo, Cerro Torre, Mount Ftiz Roy view, Chile
Cerro Solo, Cerro Torre, Mount Ftiz Roy view, Chile

We returned back to El Chalten through the same “shortcut” route. Laguna Torre is very nice and not difficult full day hike.

El Chalten from Laguna Torre hike view, Argentina
El Chalten from Laguna Torre hike view, Argentina

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