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Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy)

Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy) — the trail guide

The Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy) is a 22.5 km trek in Argentina, typically walked in 1 day, with 1033 m of total ascent. It rates Hard on our published rubric (46 m of gain per km, topping out at 1180 m).

Patagonia's most iconic day-walk, running from the trekking village of El Chaltén up the Río Blanco valley to a glacial tarn beneath the granite spires of Cerro Fitz Roy. Hikers come for the dawn light that sets the towers ablaze above turquoise Laguna de los Tres. The trail is free, unpermitted and well-marked; the final kilometre climbs steeply over 400 metres of loose scree, and fierce, unpredictable winds can shut the viewpoint down entirely.

Quick facts

Distance22.5 km
Total ascent1033 m
Typical duration1 day
Difficulty (computed)Hard
Steepness46 m gain per km
High point1180 m
CountryArgentina
RegionArgentina

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Hard" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 402 m · high point 1180 m · 1033 m total ascent over 22.5 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 401 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan15°142 mm
Feb15°135 mm
Mar13°212 mm
Apr10°195 mm
May148 mm
Jun-2°142 mm
Jul-3°162 mm
Aug-2°154 mm
Sep-1°129 mm
Oct129 mm
Nov12°139 mm
Dec14°167 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy)?

The Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy) is 22.5 km, and most hikers complete it in 1 day. Total elevation gain is 1033 m.

How difficult is the Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy)?

It rates Hard on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 46 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1180 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy) is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy)?

In Argentina. The route starts near -49.321, -72.895 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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