In order to protect the impressive nature of Patagonia, many areas are protected under the regime of national parks. The region in the mountain range between El Chaltén and El Calafate is also united in a large national park: the Parque de Los Glaciares. The characteristic images of ice-blue glaciers with pointed mountain peaks and deep blue mountain lakes often originate from this national park. We are therefore filled with anticipation that we have finally arrived in this remote region of South America. We start in El Chaltén, the most famous hiking area in Argentina!

Sendero Fitz Roy

One of the most famous peaks in the region is the Fitz Roy. The striking mountain peak was given its name in homage to an important captain of the same name who had mapped long stretches of the Patagonian coastline. Today, the name is at least as striking as the appearance of the mountain.
In order to avoid the large flow of tourists that travel the Fitz Roy hiking trail every day, we set off early in the morning just before sunrise at half past five. The village of El Chaltén is still asleep as we set off at a brisk pace. The nice thing about this hike is that you actually have the Fitz Roy, the destination, in view the whole time on the way there.
The hikes here are not particularly demanding due to their mostly flatter altitude profile – the length of a good 26 km there and back makes them strenuous. There is also the final ascent to the viewpoint over the De Los Tres lagoon, which is a very steep 500m climb over large stones and loose scree.
But the view is ultimately worth it, which is why we made it all the way. The glacier ice, which reaches right into the lagoon, and the towering peak of the Fitz Roy make the view unique.
On the way back, we realize that it was once again worth getting up early for the hike. Large groups of tourists come towards us and as the paths are narrow, we sometimes just stand at the side of the path for several minutes and let people pass towards the summit.

Sendero Laguna Torre

With some consideration for the previous, more strenuous hike, the next one takes us relatively flat to the Laguna Torre with fewer meters of altitude. At just over 20 km, it is also shorter than the previous hike to Fitz Roy. From this lagoon, we have a wonderful view over the Torre mountain lake and the Cerro Torre in the background. A striking peak that rises almost vertically into the sky for several hundred meters. The Cerro Torre looks almost like a towering needle point in the mountainous landscape. We would love to know how nature always manages to create such bizarre formations.
In addition to the Cerro Torre in the background, we marvel at one or two icebergs floating in the Torre lagoon from the glacier break-off further back. Shortly after 09:00, we are still pretty much alone at the lagoon. But the longer we enjoy the impressions and the relaxation at the lagoon, the more people find their way to the shoreline of the lagoon. We take this as a clear sign: it’s time to head back! The route is just as easy as the outward journey and we are soon back in the village of El Chaltén to relax our legs after the hike.

Patagonia – the vastness never ends

This is the northern part of Los Glaciares National Park. We will visit the same national park again a few hundred kilometers south by road. A world-famous glacier awaits us there. The vastness of Patagonia just doesn’t end like this. We drive for hours, now days, through the cold steppe and discover even more unique nature. A real exciting adventure. Due to the extremely sparse population, we are both fascinated and somewhat challenged at the same time. The logistics are not that easy – just like on a real expedition, we have to make sure that we have enough water, diesel and food with us before we leave a place so that we arrive safely in the next town. Nevertheless, we enjoy the Patagonia adventure to the full!