One of the jewels in Patagonia’s stunning crown is undoubtably the Laguna de los Tres hike. Pictures and videos have been splashed on social media in recent times as this hike, and El Chalten, have gained popularity among adventure seeking travelers. We visited Patagonia in January 2025, and naturally, this hike was high on our list. We read a plethora of guides, blogs and hiking websites, with many different reviews, and pieces of advice. This blog canvases our thoughts on hiking Laguna de los Tres (aka the ‘hike to Fitzroy’). We give honest feedback, the realities, and our recommendations. Enjoy the gallery and guide, and if you resonate with this content, check out our social media page (@2cupsoftravel).
The realities and recommendations for hiking Laguna de los Tres in El Chalten
Is hiking Laguna de los Tres worth it?
You will see this hike’s praises sung by many social media posts, blogs, articles and even travel books (e.g. Lonely Planet), however “good reviews” doesn’t always mean a place is worth visiting. Sometimes it doesn’t live up to the hype. Sometimes it’s overcrowded or far too touristy. However, we are happy to say that Laguna de los Tres absolutely lives up to the hype and is worth visiting, however, there’s a few things to know that can drastically change your experience. Read on below!
How long does the hike to Laguna de los Tres take?
When reading online, you will see many guides showing different distances (e.g. between 18-24kms) and varying times (6-10+ hours). Be aware it is an ‘out and back’ hike, so any guides that say “10kms” may only be talking about one way. However, don’t stress, we wore a garmin and tracked the distance.. so here’s our experience to help with the confusion.
The distance of Laguna de los Tres varies depending on a few factors. If you walk from the heart of the town, it will take 1-2kms to reach the trailhead (at the end of Av. San Martin), however we drove to the car park to avoid the “extra” walking. The trail itself will take between 10-11kms to reach the peak at the base of the lake and Fitz Roy. If you want to add on the extra view point (highly recommended!!) to see the second lake, this will take another 1-2kms. All up, expect the Laguna de Los Tres hike distance to be between 22-24kms pending your route choices. Ours was 23.5kms total for reference.
The time it takes to hike Laguna de los Tres will depend on a few factors, mainly, your hiking speed, how long you rest at the view points/summit (allow at least 30-60minutes total), whether you head to the additional view point (allow 30-60 minutes), and how well you can navigate the significant elevation at the end. Overall, the “hike” took us around 6.5-7 hours, and we had around 1-1.5hours break for lunch, photos, relaxing etc. This means that it took us 8 hours to hike Laguna de los Tres. For those with lower fitness, or who want to go at a slower pace, allow 8-10 hours, while if you aren’t considering stopping much, perhaps 6.5-8 hours is more realistic. Either way, it’s a long hike and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Should you visit Lago Capri on the way?
Absolutely! The lake and view at Lago Capri was one of our favourite parts of the hike, and definitely one of the best views. It is located 4kms into the hike, and makes the perfect spot to rest for a snack or drinks break. Alternatively, many will often just hike to Lago Capri in an 8km ‘out and back’ if they aren’t committing to the full 20+km trail. Either way, don’t miss this stunning spot!
How hard is the final ascent on the Laguna de los Tres trail?
Let’s not sugar coat it.. this was bloody tough. A winding, uneven, rocky trail directly upwards that tests your legs and your lungs. We had read about the infamous final ascent and were a little apprehensive at the reported “rock scrambles”, however while we found it tough, we thought some of the trails on Lofoten Islands (Norway) were a little harder to navigate. The guides/trail signs say it is 400m elevation in 1km total distance, however, after tracking it as we went, we can say it is more like 500m elevation in 1.5-2kms total distance (unsure why the discrepancy on the signs). Don’t expect it to be only 1km from the “9km checkpoint” as the sign says, as you’ll be disappointed on your way up. It will likely take you 1+ hours on the way up, so be prepared!
How much elevation is the Laguna de los Tres hike?
While this will vary slightly depending on your path up the mountain, and if you end up doing the “extra” view point, you will likely have a minimum of 1km elevation (we had 1100m total). Trust us when we say your legs will feel that elevation the day after!
How much does it cost to hike Laguna de los Tres (and can you get away without paying?):
The “pay to hike” wasn’t something we had expected, and while we were happy to pay to help the park maintenance etc, the $45,000 pesos fee for adults is definitely steep (approx. 60 AUD/45 USD per person). However, there are a few ways you can “lower” or avoid having to fork out the $$, if you can be bothered with the effort. The park rangers apparently only man the gates from around 7am, so if you are an early riser, you can potentially get onto the trails before they start asking for ticket sales. Additionally, there are “discounted” fares for students, children, locals etc, so look online to consider booking in advance. Finally, there are a few trails which “join up” to the main trail at the start, however we are unsure of these trail heads so if you’re looking to bypass the official entrance, you may need to do some research.
When should you start the hike to Laguna de los Tres?
Regardless of your hiking speed, you’ll likely need to start Laguna de los Tres to Fitz Roy early! Whether you’re up at the crack of dawn to beat the crowds, or you start mid morning, with a 8+ hour total hike duration, you won’t want to start later than around 12pm. We recommend as early as possible, partially to beat the crowds (it gets very busy on the trail from around 9-10am), and to ensure that you have time for an apres when you return from the hike!
Don’t forget to consider the weather in El Chalten!
This is something that is perhaps understated online. We were in El Chalten for half a week in summer (not nearly long enough we know), experiencing a gorgeous sunny day, heavy rain and clouds, plus windy days. The weather really varied and we experienced all types of conditions in one day, and over multiple days. Keep in mind this was in ‘peak season’ as well. Unfortunately the day we planned to hike Laguna de los Tres started out very pleasant, but as we scaled the final ascent we had the clouds roll over, the rain come down, and the winds pick up. While this didn’t ruin our experience, it definitely made the hike more challenging. The downside was that we “missed out” on seeing the iconic Fitz Roy peak at the summit, something that would devastate many. We were lucky to see this the day prior on another trail, and think that even despite the clouds covering Fitz Roy peak, it was still 100% worth it and the views were still spectacular. Check the weather, plan your hikes around the weather, but also be prepared that in mountainous regions like El Chalten, things can change rapidly and “defy” the predictions. You might not get the “perfect picture” at the summit, but it will still be spectacular (in our opinion).
Should you stay in El Chalten or day trip from El Calafate?
By now you should have realized the Laguna de los Tres hike to Fitz Roy peak isn’t a quick, short trail. While you could do a day trip, it would be a huge 13-16 hour day, and we definitely don’t recommend it. Additionally, El Chalten is such a gorgeous town (much better than El Calafate in our opinion), warranting a stay!
Other key things to consider when hiking Laguna de los Tres:
- Footwear: While most hikers had appropriate footwear on, we did see a number of individuals wearing runners and casual sneakers. Our strong, strong recommendation is to wear hiking boots! The ascent/descent at the end is hard, and can be unsteady, especially if it rains. Hiking boots are a must for Laguna de los Tres hike!
- Where is the trailhead located? Head to the main street of El Chalten (Av. San Martin) and walk/drive all the way to the end. You can’t miss the car park and the trail entrance.
- Toilet facilities? We were pleasantly surprised to see a number of “drop toilets” located every 2-4kms along the trail. These were around the camping sites. Don’t expect luxury (drop toilets), and bring your own toilet paper!
- Camping: You can definitely camp in 1 of 3-4 sites depending on your hiking plans. The most picturesque was the campsite beside Lago Capri, however this is also the furthest from the summit making it harder to reach for sunrise/sunset. You need to book/pay for your camp spot in advance.
- Respect the trails! We were delighted to see the trails were well maintained, clean, and free of rubbish. Help keep it that way! There are no bins, meaning you must take out what you bring in!
We hope this little guide helps to provide some clarity on one of the best hikes in Patagonia. Despite the difficulty, cost and popularity, we think Laguna de los Tres is 1000% worth it.. you just need to plan and prepare well! Subscribe below if you want to stay up to date with our travels and free travel guides!
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