Hiking Fitz Roy in Patagonia (Laguna de los Tres):
Yes, It’s a Popular Tourist Experience!

If you’re heading to El Chaltén, you’ve probably heard about the Fitz Roy hike (also called Laguna de los Tres, or “Lake of the Three”). It’s the iconic hike of Patagonia. It’s long, it’s beautiful, it’s dusty, it’s freezing at the top—and yes, it’s absolutely worth doing.

I hiked it, blister and all. And I’d do it again. Here’s my detailed, no-filler guide to help you plan, prep, and feel confident before you go.

What Is the Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres Hike?

*From Laguna Capri, on the way to Fitz Roy*

This hike goes by several names: Fitz Roy Hike, Laguna de los Tres, Cerro Fitz Roy; they all refer to the same general route. Initially this threw me off, as many signs call it Fitz Roy. Then my friend called it Fritz Roy. Then as I hiked, I saw Laguna de los Tres… so to help you — they all refer to the same trail!

The trail leads to a glacial lake nestled under three stunning peaks: Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and Mount Poincenot. This jagged skyline is the one that inspired the Patagonia clothing logo. I don’t know about you, but I love an iconic landscape! Something that is known world wide. Then you get to hike out there, and see it for yourself!

It’s pretty epic, especially as no roads lead to these hikes. It’s remote in the sense, that you can only get there by hiking in and hiking out! There’s no one-way, where you hike then get picked up. Nope, you gotta carry your own butt from start to finish then back again! In my mind, it makes it that much more special :)

📍 Choosing Your Route (Three Ways to Get There)

There are three common ways to reach Laguna de los Tres, and each offers a slightly different experience. I went via Laguna Capri and loved it.

*Basic view of Hikes from El Chalten, Patagonia, Argentina*

The Laguna Capri route is the most popular, and for good reason, as you don’t need to taxi to a spot you leave and return to El Chalten (the small hiking town). The views are beautiful, and there’s a secret waterfall detour after the lake that not many people know about. My friend found it by accident and sat there peacefully with just one other hiker. Search "Cascada escondida El Chaltén" on Google Maps to find it.

Some hikers opt to start at the Río Eléctrico trailhead, which requires a ~30-minute taxi ride to the trailhead. This route avoids early crowding and gives you a quieter start along the river. You still end at Laguna de los Tres, then return to town via Laguna Capri (as different route, thus it makes it more like a loop).

A third option is to start on the Laguna Torre trail. After 3 to 4 kilometers, there’s a clearly marked turnoff pointing north to Fitz Roy (aka Laguna de la Tros). This is the least traveled path based on my observations, so if you want to encounter fewers hikers for the first half, this might be your move. Be warned, Laguna Torre is probably the 2nd most popular hike in El Chalten.

Whichever you choose, all three connect to the same final ascent. You can even combine them to create a loop-ish hike, instead of an out-and-back.

*Map of Hikes in El Chalten, Patagonia, Argentina*

How Strenuous Is the Fitz Roy Hike?

I consider myself a pretty experienced city hiker; I regularly do 2–3 hour hikes in Los Angeles with ~1000 feet of elevation gain over a couple miles. But going from that to an 8-hour trek in Patagonia? That’s a big jump. It wasn’t the cardio that got me—it was the sheer time on my feet, and the fact that my hiking shoes hadn’t seen this much action in a while. Cue: giant blister on my right foot. (Yes, I popped it, cleaned it, and carried on—because Patagonia waits for no one.)

If you’re in decent shape and bring the right gear (solid shoes, layers, snacks, water, a hat), I really think you’ll be fine. Just pace yourself, start early, and plan for rest breaks. If you’re feeling ambitious, keep moving and push through—but know that you don’t need to be a superhero to finish this hike. There’s enough daylight in the summer to take your time and still make it back comfortably.

That said, the final 400 meters to Laguna de los Tres is where the real burn kicks in. It’s steep, rocky, and loose underfoot, and you’ll feel it. It’s absolutely do-able, but I recommend slowing down and being extra careful with your footing—especially if you’re tired or carrying extra weight.

Sunrise Hike Option: Seeing the Sunrise at Laguna de la Tres

Groups of 10 to 30 hikers commonly leave around 1AM to catch the sunrise over Laguna de los Tres. If you're thinking about doing the same, come prepared.

Bring a headlamp (and maybe a backup flashlight), and dress for freezing temperatures. Even in January, temps dropped to around 40°F with wind chill that made it feel like 30°F. My friend didn’t bring a puffy jacket and regretted it deeply. She had to hunker down in a sheltered area and then rush up to the viewpoint just for the sunrise before hustling down again.

Once the sun comes up, you’ll warm up a little and can start shedding layers. But before that? Prepare to be cold.

Yes, You Can Drink Straight From the Freshwater Streams in Patagonia

One of the absolute joys of this hike: drinking straight from Patagonia’s streams. The water is fresh, clean, and doesn’t need to be treated—just make sure it’s running and looks clear.

After LA city tap, this water tasted amazing. It made me feel grounded and alive. And practically speaking, it also means you don’t need to carry liters of water. I brought about 1 liter, then refilled at crossings.

Just plan enough water to get you between streams, and you’re good.

Should You Use Hiking Poles?

If I were to do the Fitz Roy hike again, I’d probably bring poles. They help distribute weight more evenly, take some pressure off your knees and legs, and come in especially handy on loose gravel—which there’s plenty of near the top. That final stretch to Laguna de los Tres gets steep and rocky, and poles give you more to work with when things get unstable.

That said, I’m a relatively fit early-40s hiker and I did several 8-hour hikes without poles and lived to tell the tale. I managed fine, but there were definitely moments where I wished I had something to brace with, especially on the descent. And yes, I ended up with some nasty blisters, though I won’t blame the poles for that.

My friends who did use poles loved them. Most had the kind that collapse and stash easily, so you can tuck them away when you don’t need them and whip them out when you do. I also noticed that a lot of the seasoned European hikers…especially the older French crowd…were all using poles like pros. I’m pretty sure they had the right idea.

Do You Need a Guide, for Laguna de la Tres Hike?

Short answer: No, you don’t need a guide for the Fitz Roy hike… as long as you’re reasonably healthy, come prepared, and start during daylight hours. The trail is very well-marked, and you’ll never be alone for long.

In fact, during my 8-hour day on the trail, I saw well over 50 people pass by—and that was me taking my time. I stopped counting after a while because it’s honestly a very well-traveled route, especially during summer. This isn’t one of those remote, bushwhacking treks where you’re isolated for hours. If you’re someone who enjoys solo hikes or feels comfortable navigating with apps like Maps.me or AllTrails, this will feel completely manageable.

That said, don’t start in the dark unless you’re in a group and know what you’re doing. Trails are harder to follow in low light, and footing can be sketchy, especially near the final ascent. During the day, you’ll be fine…even if you get turned around briefly, someone will be around in case they can help. People are friendly (especially if you speak a little Spanish), and if not, Google Translate worked for me. I met several groups of Western Europeans and other English-speaking travelers who were also happy to help or compare notes.

As someone who doesn’t speak much Spanish, Argentina is challenging given the whole continent pretty much speaks Spanish! You’ll be okay.

Tourism in El Chaltén has exploded—over 230,000 visitors came through in 2022 alone—and most of that traffic happens during the summer. So you’re very much in good company.

Bottom line: if you’re confident hiking on your own or with a friend back home, you’ll feel totally fine doing Fitz Roy without a guide. Just go slow, pace yourself, be prepared (do your research), download an offline trail map, and start early enough to enjoy it at your own pace.

Don’t Forget to Pack Enough Food (Seriously)

One of my biggest mistakes? Not eating enough.

I brought half a sandwich, an apple, and an orange for a 7-hour hike. No breakfast. No protein. Unsurprisingly, by hour five I hit a wall; my body had run out energy!!. I had to turn back before reaching the lake. When I got back to my backpacker hostel, I passed out. Only after inhaling carbs did I feel normal again, after 1-2 hours.

What I learned:

Eat a full, well-rounded breakfast with carbs and protein
Hydrate early and often
Bring food and eat consistently throughout the hike (aim for 100-200 calories/hour or more depending on your burn rate)
Don’t wait until you crash—snack proactively

🦟 Were There Bugs?

Yes. In late January, there were massive horseflies (tábanos) buzzing around hikers. They didn’t bite me, but they hovered and annoyed. I repeated shook my head trying to shoo them away. They were big, obnoxious and hard to get rid of even, as you were hiking - they seemed to circle my head (perhaps attracted to the sweat??).

My tip: Avoid floral shampoos or scented lotions, and consider packing bug spray. I saw a lot of people swatting at their heads in a shared moment of mild suffering.

These giant horseflies were very annoying and everyone agreed, they could do without!

Final Thoughts

This hike was long and dusty. I got a blister the size of a grape. But honestly? I have no regrets as the landscapes and natural wonder were beautiful! My favorite vacations include beautiful skies, landscapes and the outdoors - and my Patagonia trip combined a sense of adventure and wonder. I cannot complain.

*Laguna Capri, one of the routes and one the way to Fitz Roy (Laguna de la Tres)*

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to do it. Just bring smart layers, a little grit, and enough snacks to keep your engine running. And when you get to the top and look out over Laguna de los Tres, you’ll think - what a stunning world we live in!

And yes…I still dream about drinking that pure, fresh stream water.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve done it, or are planning it soon! And if you want a printable packing list, I’m happy to make one.

About Linhda (aka Elle)

Linhda thrives on being a tourist in her own city, generously sharing over 10 years of Los Angeles knowledge with fellow enthusiasts!

An enthusiastic bike-to-work cyclist, also known as a commuter, Linhda has recently embraced the world of roller skating. If you have any questions about LA, drop her a line, or simply say HELLO! Meeting new people brings her immense joy. Cheers! linhdy@outlook.com

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