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Patagonia South


Fitz Roy
Torres del Paine
​Dientes Circuit

Fitz Roy Hiking Trails

Laguna de los Tres trail in Argentina
Approach hike from El Pilar Hosteria
The best experience in Patagonia is hiking in the El Chalten region around the Mount Fitz Roy in Argentina.  The hiking is relatively easy compared to most trips on this website and the area can be enjoyed by anyone able to walk 10-15 miles.
Hike from El Pilar Hosteria
The three areas to visit around Fitz Roy that do not require permits are Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, and the overlook above Laguna Torre called Loma del Pliegue Tumbado.  You can also get free permits to walk off-trail in some of the valleys from the visitor center
Mirador Piedras Blancas
Mirador Piedras Blancas
Starting the trek to Laguna de los Tres from El Pilar Hosteria lessens the elevation gain and allows for views of the Piedras Blancas glacier.  Shuttles can be hired from town. ​
Laguna de los Tres hike in El Chalten
Laguna de los Tres beneath Mt Fitz Roy
 The most popular option is to hike back to town after taking the one way shuttle to the hostel.  Many people combined Laguna de los Tres with Laguna Torre as a short backpack although both can be completed as dayhikes
Laguna de los Tres hike in El Chalten
Panorama of Laguna de los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy
Sunset from Campamento Poincenot in El Chalten
View from Campamento Poincenot at sunset
Laguna Torre hike in El Chalten Argentina
Cerro Torre from the Laguna
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado hike in El Chalten
The lesser traveled of the hikes in the El Chalten region is to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado (12 miles roundtrip, 3300ft elevation gain).  There is also a shorter hike to Mirador Condores that is a good spot for sunrise.
View from the summit
Cerro Huemul from the overlook
With the right equipment and a free permit a 3-4 day circuit can be done around Cerro Huemul with views of the icefield
Perito Moreno panaroma
The most accessible glacier is at Perito Moreno and can be seen from a boardwalk, a few hours drive from El Chalten.  The glacier was breaking off from the heat of the afternoon sun, a great experience

Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine towers base hike
Torres del Paine is other popular area that represents Patagonia on the Chilean side of the border 
Torres del Paine towers base hike
The base towers hike and a shorter hike to see the Cuernos of Paine were my two favorites in the park
Getting off the boat ride
A day hike from Refugio Paine Grande up the French Valley is possible by taking the evening Catamaran the night before the hike (16 miles round trip, 2000ft elevation gain).  It would be difficult to see the entire valley if taking the morning boat since it does not arrive until 10am.  Payment for the boat shuttle is taken on board in Chilean pesos
Mirador Frances
Mirador Frances
Mirador Frances is the highlight here, about halfway up the French Valley to Mirador Britanico
Bridge leading to the French Valley
Bridge on the way to the French Valley
Mirador britanico on french valley hike in torres del paine
Mirador Britanico
Mirador Britanico up in the valley
I had difficulty getting permits and completed the "W" walk as separate day hikes camping in the areas near the hotels.  Pre-bookings would be advised if wanting to walk the "O" or "W" circuit (​Vertice Patagonia and Fantastico Sur are the companies in charge of the campsites and refugios in Torres del Paine)
Mirador Cuernos del Paine hike in Chile
Cuernos del Paine
There is also a short hike that offers views of the "cuernos" or horns of Paine from across the lake that starts at Salto Grande (5 miles roundtrip).  There is no significant elevation change, although the trail is in a strong wind area
Cerro Paine Grande in Torres del paine
I found this simple walk to be the most scenic in the park
Salto Grande in Torres del Paine
Salto Grande
Mirador Cuernos hike in Torres del Paine Chile
Watching sunrise on the Paine Horns

Dientes Circuit

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A more remote experience can be found further south on Isla Navarino walking the Dientes Circuit (33 miles, 6500ft elevation gain).  The $240 USD boat transfer fee from Ushuaia keeps some from doing the walk
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Weather also keeps some away, shin deep snow and strong winds on the side hill slopes of Cerro Bandera in mid-summer 2019
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The track is well marked with red horizontal slopes, visible even with the snowfall
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Trail between Paso Australia and Paso de los Dientes
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Most of the snow had melted by afternoon
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My favorite area of the walk was around Laguna de los Dientes.  The majority of the walkers followed the outline in the Lonely Planet guide and camped at Laguna Escondida instead
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Late evening at Laguna de los Dientes
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The downside to the walk are the boggy areas and beaver damage in the valleys.  I had pizza with beaver meat in town to do my part in contributing to the decline of the species
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Coming down Paso Ventarrion
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Camp behind the bushes on a windy night at Laguna Hermosa
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All downhill from Paso Virginia, once the road is reached there is a five mile walk back to Puerto Williams


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Photos, text and design by Dan Arnold
Contact: darnoldhiking@gmail.com

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