If you're visiting El Chaltén, the Laguna de los Tres hike is the one hike you absolutely can't miss. It's the most popular hike in El Chaltén and one of the most iconic hikes in all of Patagonia. If you've ever seen the Patagonia clothing logo, you've already seen the mountain that inspired it, Mount Fitz Roy.

This was hands down the best hike I've ever done. It was challenging, but every step was worth it.

In this guide, I'll cover everything you need to know before hiking Laguna de los Tres, including how difficult it is, the best time to go, what to pack, and a few tips that made our hike even better.

Laguna de los Tres Hike Overview

Distance: 15 miles (24 km) round trip
Time: 8–10 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation Gain: Approximately 3,300 feet (1,000 meters)

The hike begins with a steady uphill climb that lasts about 1–1.5 hours. While it's definitely a workout, it isn't nearly as steep as the final climb.

After that first incline, the trail becomes relatively flat for several miles with incredible views the entire way. The final 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) is where the real challenge begins. This section is steep, rocky, and gains about 400 meters (1,300 feet) of elevation. It took us a little over an hour to complete this last stretch.

If you have knee problems or physical limitations, you might want to stop here. Otherwise, take your time, stop when you need to, and you'll get there.

The view at the top is absolutely unreal. Pictures don't even come close to doing it justice.

Best Time of Year to Hike Laguna de los Tres

We visited during Patagonia's summer (December through February) and had almost perfect hiking weather, sunny skies, very little wind, and temperatures around 60°F (15°C).

Summer generally offers the warmest weather and the longest daylight hours, making it one of the best times to hike. The downside is that it's also the busiest season.

Luckily, because we started early, we never really felt like the trail was overcrowded.

I also think fall would be a beautiful time to visit. The temperatures will be cooler, but seeing the trees change colors would make the scenery even more stunning.

Best Time of Day to Start the Hike

If there's one piece of advice I can give you, it's this: Start early.

Our goal was to catch sunrise at Laguna Capri, so we started hiking around 5:20 AM.

It was dark for the first 45 minutes or so, so I definitely recommend bringing a headlamp or flashlight. We managed with our phone flashlights, but a headlamp would have made things much easier.

Watching the sun rise over Fitz Roy from Laguna Capri was one of the highlights of our Patagonia trip. Before sunrise the sky looked like cotton candy and then as the sun rose over Fitz Roy the mountains turned a burning shade of orange and red. Absolutely incredible.

Starting early also meant:

Cooler hiking temperatures
Fewer people on the trail
A quieter, more peaceful experience
Better reflections on the lakes before the wind picked up

For me, waking up at 4:30 AM was completely worth it.

How Challenging is the Laguna de los Tres Hike?

I'll be honest, it was challenging, but it was easier than I expected.

The first hour to hour and a half is mostly uphill at a steady pace. After Laguna Capri, the trail levels out quite a bit until you reach the final climb.

That last kilometer is definitely the hardest part of the hike. It's steep, covered in loose rocks, and honestly feels like doing the StairMaster for over an hour while watching every step you take.

The key is to go at your own pace. We took several short breaks during the climb, and it made a huge difference.

The hike back down isn't nearly as exhausting, but it can be tough on your knees.

One thing I'd absolutely recommend bringing is trekking poles. We didn't have any, and by the last hour of the hike our legs were shaking. They would have made the descent so much easier.

Including our lunch break and time spent enjoying the view, our hike took about 9.5 hours.

If you're an avid hiker, you'll probably find this very manageable. If you're more of an occasional hiker like me, expect a challenge, but it's definitely achievable if you're in decent physical shape.

Once you reach the top, you'll completely forget how tired you are.

How I Prepared for the Hike

About four months before our trip, I started preparing by taking longer walks every week, usually 1–2 hours at a time.

Whenever we could, we'd also find 5–6 mile hiking trails near home.

Living in Ohio meant I couldn't really train for elevation, so I spent about 20 minutes each week on the StairMaster and added another leg day into my workouts with lots of lunges and step-ups.

Looking back, I really think this preparation helped. My legs and stamina felt much stronger than I expected during the hike.

If you're training for Laguna de los Tres, I'd recommend focusing on:

Long walks
StairMaster workouts
Lunges and step-ups
General leg strength and endurance

What's the Weather Like?

Patagonia weather is known for changing quickly.

Even if it's sunny in town, conditions higher up on the trail can be completely different.

We were incredibly lucky with perfect weather, but I still packed layers because strong winds and colder temperatures are common.

One thing that made a huge difference was waiting an extra day to do the hike.

We had originally planned to hike the day before, but the forecast called for clouds. Since Fitz Roy is the main reason for doing this hike, I decided to wait.

I'm so glad we did.

The next day we had blue skies from start to finish and incredible views of the mountain almost the entire hike.

If your itinerary allows it, keep an eye on the forecast and be flexible.

What to Pack

Food

Pack enough food to keep your energy up throughout the day.

I recommend bringing:

Sandwiches
Granola bars
Meat sticks
Fruit like apples or bananas

You'll definitely appreciate having lunch once you reach the lake.

Water

Bring at least 2 large water bottles.

The nice thing about this hike is that you can refill your bottles from the glacier streams along the trail. We simply filled ours from the flowing water, and honestly, this saved us. We definitely would have run out of water otherwise.

I also highly recommend packing electrolyte packets.

Clothing

Patagonia weather can change quickly, so layers are key.

I'd recommend packing:

Windproof jacket
Lightweight layers
Wool socks
Hat
Sunglasses
Neck gaiter or scarf if it's windy

Footwear

Good hiking boots or trail shoes are a must.

Make sure they're broken in before your trip and still have good traction.

Park Entrance Fee

Most hikes around El Chaltén are located within Los Glaciares National Park and require an entrance fee.

During our visit, rangers began checking tickets around 7:00 AM, although park regulations and enforcement can change, so I'd recommend checking the latest information before your trip.

We also saw ticket checks near the trail exit later in the day.

My Top Tips for Hiking Laguna de los Tres

Start before sunrise if you can.
Bring trekking poles, they'll save your knees on the way down.
Pack electrolyte packets.
Watch the weather and stay flexible.
Refill your water from the glacier streams.
Spend at least an hour enjoying the view at the top.
Walk to the viewpoint on the left side of the lake for an even better view of Fitz Roy and both glacial lakes.
Stay on trail to avoid getting lost and make sure you are going the right way when coming down.

Is Laguna de los Tres Worth It?

Absolutely!This is hands down my favorite hike I've ever done.

What makes it so special isn't just the incredible view at the top, it's that you're surrounded by breathtaking scenery almost the entire hike. Mountains, rivers, forests, glaciers, and eventually Fitz Roy itself are constantly in view.

Once you reach the lake, don't rush back down. Have lunch, relax, and soak it all in. If you're brave enough, jump into the freezing water for a quick cold plunge, my husband did!

Before you leave, make sure to walk a few extra minutes up the hill on the left side of the lake. From there, you'll get an incredible view of both glacial lakes with Fitz Roy towering between them. It's one of my favorite viewpoints of the entire hike, and surprisingly, not everyone walks over there.

If you're planning a trip to Patagonia, I can't recommend this hike enough. It's challenging, unforgettable, and one of those experiences you'll be talking about long after you get home.

Laguna de los Tres Hike: Everything You Need to Know Before Hiking Fitz Roy