"Trail to Fitz Roy" - From El Chaltén to De los Tres Lagoon

The route begins at the end of San Martín Avenue, in El Chaltén (Santa Cruz, Argentina). In the first section, it takes us over a somewhat steep slope, towards the Río de las Vueltas Viewpoint, which we reach in approximately 1 hour. Surrounded by mountains, an extraordinary panorama of the river can be seen from here, which is precisely taking turns (vueltas) in the valley.

Following the hiking route, 2 km ahead we find a fork, to the left we reach the Capri Lagoon, and to the right the Fitz Roy Viewpoint. This route in particular will take us first to the lagoon, and returning we will visit the viewpoint. So we turn left, to find this incredible landscape, after having traveled almost half the way to the top. On clear days, the Capri Lagoon can be contemplated with the imposing Fitz Roy’s Peak in the background, an unmissable place to take some beautiful photos.

The next point of interest is Poincenot Camping, in the middle of the forest. Many people camp here to shorten the route and continue the next day. Once we pass the camping area, we leave the lengas forest behind, to find small lagoons and open areas, even so, some trees still protect us from the sun.

We now have the final stretch. Arriving at kilometer 9 of the route, we see signs announcing the most complicated section of this trekking route. We must climb to the top by a glacial moraine, it is a terrible stone path for which one have to be well-prepared and fit, but it is just the last effort. Finally, we arrive at the objective, with an extraordinary view of the glacier and De los Tres lagoon, not to mention the granite wall of the three peripheral peaks that surround the lagoon.

Once we have enjoyed the views, rested and had something to eat, it is time to go back to El Chaltén. The path downhill is the same as the one we took to ascend, the only difference is that we go now through the Fitz Roy Viewpoint, here we will see a sign with information about the mountainous and glacial panorama in front of us. From the viewpoint we have only 4.5 km left till the town, this is the final stretch of this impressive hiking circuit.