Argentina can feel like a playground for seasoned hikers. Even in remote areas, most trails are well marked, and some are equipped with overnight lodges. Hiking in Argentina sometimes requires a certified guide on the more difficult trails, while other treks are self-guided. Whether you’re looking for a scenic trail that doesn’t make you break a sweat or you’re ready for the challenge of your life, these six hiking trails are tough to top.
1. Laguna de los Tres
Distance: 24km (15 mi) round trip
Time: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: moderate
A hike to the Laguna de los Tres, with its postcard-worthy views of Mount Fitz Roy, weaves through valleys, forests, and snow-capped mountains. Beginning in the small town of El Chaltén in southern Argentina, the hike is mostly uphill and has areas of uneven terrain that range from native forest to alpine landscapes. About 1km (0.6 mi) before reaching the lake, the trail becomes steep and rocky before levelling out.
If you have the time, break the hike into two days; this way, you can stay overnight at the Laguna Capri campground. In the early morning, head to the Mount Fitz Roy viewpoint to see the sunrise.
2. Perito Moreno Glacier
Distance: varies based on your tour choice
Time: 1-4 hours
Difficulty: moderate to challenging
It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to walk across a glacier while taking in views of blue ice waves and snow-crowned mountains. Found within the Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the only glaciers in the world that is still growing. Any traveller wanting to cross the glacier on foot must be part of an organised tour, which runs between mid-September and the end of April.
Excursions are usually split into two categories: mini-trekking and 'Big Ice.' Mini-trekking is open to all experience levels and usually includes a short hike to the glacier, followed by 90 minutes on the ice itself. 'Big Ice' expeditions last about seven hours, including nearly four hours on the glacier. Some operators require participants on ‘Big Ice’ tours to be between the ages of 18 and 50, while mini-trekking tours are more age inclusive.
If you’re not up for the glacier walk, the park includes nearly 3km (2 mi) of metallic walkways built into the cliffs on the opposite side.
3. Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve
Distance: 2.7km (1.7 mi) loop
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: easy
The walk through Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve, home to some 80 species of birds, takes you past fields, flowers, and plants and around lakes and ponds. Early mornings are especially tranquil, as most hikers haven’t hit the trail yet, and it’s a great time to spot flamingos, black-necked swans, lapwings, and ibises without interruption.
A few lookout spots are dotted along the trail so you can observe the birds from a distance. The terrain is flat, making this a great kid-friendly hike. The trail is about a 15-minute walk from the centre of El Calafate on foot, and it’s self-guided.
4. Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi
Distance: 9.6km (6 mi) one way
Time: 4 hours; longer if staying overnight
Difficulty: moderate to challenging
Located within Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina’s Lake District, the hike to Refugio Frey leads through lush forests, past snowy mountain peaks, and around crystal-clear lake water. There are several well-equipped lodges called refugios where trekkers can stay overnight and continue their journeys the next day. Refugio Frey is one of the most popular lodges because the trails leading there reveal the region’s stunning scenery.
The Refugio Frey trailhead is in Cerro Catedral, a small skiing village about 20km (12.4 mi) from Bariloche in northern Patagonia. The first few kilometres are mountainside, and you cross several small bridges and pass by cascading waterfalls. Further along, hikers enter a more forested part of the trail until the path opens up to views of mountains and valleys.
5. Laguna Esmerelda
Distance: 9.6km (6 mi) round trip
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: easy
This family-friendly hike takes trekkers through forests, past beaver dams, and through moors. As its name suggests, the grand finale is the emerald-coloured glacier lake surrounded by the peaks of Las Torres and Cordón Toribio. The trailhead is located just outside of Ushuaia’s town centre, and this is a popular hike in Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia. Compared to the Laguna de los Tres and the Perito Moreno Glacier hikes, this trek is far less strenuous and has very little ascent. The terrain can get muddy, so make sure you’re wearing a pair of quality hiking boots.
6. Cerro Aconcagua (normal route)
Distance: 69.5km (43.1 mi)
Time: 2 weeks
Difficulty: challenging
The Cerro Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the western hemisphere and the southern hemisphere, and one of the world’s ‘Seven Summits’. Cerro Aconcagua is located in the Aconcagua Provincial Park, which is a protected area on the Argentina-Chile border. While the natural landscape is certainly breathtaking, most trekkers visit to challenge themselves physically and mentally. High altitudes paired with cold temperatures can definitely push people out of their comfort zones.
