Argentine Patagonia is one of the most spectacular trekking destinations on Earth. From the granite spires of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in El Chalten to the glaciers of Ushuaia, via Bariloche's circuits and the Argentine access to Torres del Paine, Patagonia offers trails for all levels amid landscapes of supernatural beauty. Los Glaciares National Park (lat -49.3317, lng -72.8861), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the epicentre.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires → Bariloche | 1640 km | 2 h 20 | 22 h | 18 h |
| Buenos Aires → El Calafate | 2700 km | 3 h 15 | 40 h | 35 h |
| Buenos Aires → Ushuaia | 3050 km | 3 h 35 | 50+ h | — |
| Bariloche → El Calafate | 1490 km | 1 h 45 | 28 h | 24 h |
| El Calafate → Ushuaia | 600 km | 1 h 15 | 18 h | 14 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | High season | |
| Feb | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | ||
| Mar | 6° / 18°C | 50 mm | ||
| Apr | 3° / 14°C | 70 mm | ||
| May | 0° / 10°C | 90 mm | ||
| Jun | -2° / 6°C | 110 mm | Ski season | |
| Jul | -2° / 6°C | 120 mm | ||
| Aug | -1° / 8°C | 90 mm | ||
| Sep | 1° / 12°C | 60 mm | ||
| Oct | 4° / 16°C | 40 mm | ||
| Nov | 6° / 19°C | 40 mm | ||
| Dec | 7° / 21°C | 40 mm |
Best Treks in Patagonia
Laguna de los Tres (El Chalten)
Patagonia's iconic trek. 25 km round trip, 10 hours, 750 m elevation gain. Frontal view of Fitz Roy (3,405 m) reflected in the glacial lagoon. High difficulty. Free. Full guide.
Laguna Torre (El Chalten)
18 km round trip, 7-8 hours, 350 m elevation gain. View of Cerro Torre (3,128 m) and its glacier. Medium difficulty. Lenga forests, floating icebergs. Free. Full guide.
Refugio Frey (Bariloche)
24 km round trip from Cerro Catedral base, 8-10 hours, 800 m elevation gain. The refuge sits beside Laguna Tonchek surrounded by granite spires. Medium-high difficulty.
Glaciar Martial & Laguna Esmeralda (Ushuaia)
Two classic Ushuaia treks. Glaciar Martial: 2 hours one way, Beagle Channel views. Laguna Esmeralda: 4 hours round trip, emerald-coloured lagoon between mountains. Both free, medium difficulty.
When to Trek in Patagonia
- December-February (summer): Best trekking season. Longest days (17 hours of light), snow-free trails, 5-20 degree temperatures. High season: more people, higher prices.
- March-April (autumn): Excellent. Golden and red forests, fewer people, still stable weather. Upper trails may have early snow in April.
- October-November (spring): Season opening. Residual snow on high trails. Impressive waterfalls from snowmelt. Unpredictable weather.
- May-September (winter): Most trails closed or require winter equipment. Only for experienced mountaineers.
Practical Information
Essential Equipment
Patagonian weather is extreme and unpredictable. Essential gear: waterproof trekking boots, windproof and waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex type), thermal layers, trekking poles, hat, gloves, SPF 50 sunscreen, sunglasses, 25-40 litre backpack, 2 litres of water, energy food, offline map. Patagonian wind can exceed 100 km/h.
Costs
El Chalten treks are free (no park entry fee). Other national parks: USD 10-20 entry for foreigners. Mountain refuges: USD 30-50/night (half board). Campsites within parks are free or low cost.
Guides
Main trails are well signposted and do not require a guide. For ascents (Fitz Roy, Lanin) and refuge traverses, a certified mountain guide is recommended. Professional guides: USD 80-150/day (trekking), USD 300-500 (ascents).
