Laguna Torre
Cerro Torre and its ice mushroom, above a lake with icebergs floating in it.
Duration
6 hrs – 8 hrs
Difficulty
●●●●○
Best time
Early morning, October to April
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
Laguna Torre is a glacial lake at the foot of Cerro Torre, with icebergs floating in it that have calved off the Grande glacier. The hike is eighteen kilometres return and almost level — the alternative to Laguna de los Tres for anyone who does not want the final climb.
Cerro Torre is capped by a mushroom of rime ice that changes shape from season to season, and its ascent is among the most disputed in mountaineering history: Cesare Maestri's 1959 claim was never proved, and his companion died on the descent.
Getting there
Starts at the western end of El Chaltén village. The trail is waymarked and has no technical difficulty.
What to bring
- Walking shoes
- Windbreaker
- Sportswear
Rules on site
Cerro Torre is in cloud most of the time: clear days are rare and should be seized. The wind at the final lookout is violent and there is no shelter.
