Note: The above photos, including the banner one, do not necessarily reflect stations or views on this particular trek. Considering that we do not have all the images required we have had to use general photos of various treks in El Chalten.
El Chalten Mirador Glacier Piedras Blancas Full-Day Trek
Introduction
This trek starts from Hosteria Pilar, 17km north from El Chalten village and takes in the Blanco river, view of the Piedras glacier and and option to see icebergs in the lagoon.
- Start: Hosteria Pilar (located 17km north of El Chalten village)
- End: Glacier Piedras Blancas
Details
- Grade of difficulty: Difficult (be aware of changing weather conditions).
- Distance from El Pilar to Mirador Piedras Blancas: 5.2km
- Distance from Mirador Piedras Blancas to Poincenot: 2.9km
- Distance from Poincenot to El Chalten village: 8.4km
- Trek Time: 6hrs one way.
- Experience Required: You need to be reasonably fit. No trekking experience required, but you should be accustomed to long walks, and trekking poles recommended.
- Season: All year round, but in the winter, it depends on conditions.
Description
This is a good option if the weather conditions do not permit for the climb up to Laguna de Los Tres.
To get to the starting point of this trail you must take a shuttle from El Chalten to Hosteria el Pilar - 17km from El Chalten.
The start of this lovely walk is on a path that borders the Blanco river and after 45 minutes there is a great view of the Piedras Blancas glacier, which is one of the lowest in the area.
If you wish to get closer to the icebergs in the lagoon you need to continue on the same path to the Camping Site Poincenot and from there cross over the Río Blanco from where you can access the area where the icebergs will be.
You continue along the same path until you reach the creek Piedras Blancas, which descends from West to East and is one hour walk away from the Camping Poincenot. You then retake the path bordering the river on the right side and cross it almost where its source is and you will finally be at the lagoon and close to the icebergs.
If you do not go to the lagoon as described above, the path you were originally on then ascends gently through a forest, the trail begins the slight ascent, which at times moves away to return to approach the course of the river as it gains height, always in a North-South direction. In less than an hour, you will arrive at the gate where the protected area of Los Glaciares National Park begins.
After approximately two hours of walking, you will reach the viewpoint and you will see the beautiful Piedras Blancas glacier, about 2,000m away, hopefully, it is possible to witness some of the small glacier breaks that happen during the summer.
If you continue walking you will get to Poincenot and Rio Blanco campsites where the footpath splits into two with one direction heading to Mount Fitzroy and the other to Laguna Capri - where there is a campsite area, but no services.
On the trek looping back to El Chalten it winds its way down the valley passing through a Lenga and Ñire-tree forest.
Click on map for larger image
