15 best hikes in Argentina: our top picks

Hiking is definitely among the best things to do in Argentina — a country that offers a diverse array of trekking experiences across its vast and varied landscapes, with trails for pretty much all ability, though high-octane adventures are the norm around these parts. Whether you want towering peaks, serene lakes, or treks that combine culture and nature, here are the best hikes in Argentina. 

1. Laguna de los Tres 

Showcasing Patagonia's quintessentially epic landscapes, this iconic 24km round-trip hike leads to the base of Mount Fitz Roy, offering panoramic views of jagged peaks and the dazzlingly turquoise Laguna de los Tres. 

The trail begins at the northwest edge of El Chaltén, Patagonia, and is accessible via well-marked paths, either from the Sendero Fitz Roy trailhead or the El Pilar access point (get here via a transfer or private vehicle).

Along the way, you’ll traverse forests and alpine meadows, with the final ascent being very steep, but also very rewarding, and usually comes out as an 8–10 hours round trip for most hikers.

How to get to the Laguna de los Tres trail

This trail is located near El Chaltén, in Los Glaciares National Park, Santa Cruz Province. To get to El Chaltén, fly to El Calafate Airport from Buenos Aires.

From El Calafate, take a regular bus or shuttle to El Chaltén (3 hours). Buses run daily and offer beautiful views along Ruta 40.

When to visit the Laguna de los Tres trail

This is best hiked between late-October and April, with December to March offering the longest daylight hours, warmest temperatures, and best trail conditions.

Want more context on the weather and when to visit? Read up on the best time to visit Argentina.

2. Laguna Torre 

Laguna Torre is a spectacular glacial lake located in Los Glaciares National Park, near the town of El Chaltén, in Santa Cruz Province, Argentine Patagonia. 

It offers panoramic views of Cerro Torre, one of the most dramatic peaks in the Andes, through a 19 km round-trip trail that leads to the stunning lake.

Less challenging than the Laguna de los Tres trail, the path winds through scenic valleys and rivers en route to the lake.

Want to enjoy Patagonia's magic beyond hiking? Discover the best things to do in Patagonia.

How to get to Laguna Torre 

Fly to El Calafate from Buenos Aires, then take a bus to El Chaltén.

The hike begins from the northwest edge of El Chaltén, marked clearly with signs for Sendero Laguna Torre.

When to visit Laguna Torre

November to March (summer) present the best hiking conditions, with longer daylight (14–16 hours), mild temperatures, and mostly dry trails.

3. Refugio Frey

Refugio Frey is one of the best Argentina hikes in the country's Lake District.

Located in the Andes near San Carlos de Bariloche in Río Negro Province, the trail leads to a mountain refuge beside Laguna Toncek.

Surrounded by dramatic granite spires, this place is a dream for hikers, climbers and keen photographers.

Overnight stays at the refuge are possible, allowing for extended exploration.

How to get to Refugio Frey

First, you need to get to Bariloche — flights into San Carlos de Bariloche Airport from Buenos Aires take two hours.

The trailhead is located at the base of the Cerro Catedral ski resort area.

When to visit Refugio Frey

Again, summer is the best time to enjoy this hike, though fall is cooler and also serves sublime golden foliage. 

Considering taking a hiking vacation in Argentina? Take the hassle out of planning by browsing our Argentina itineraries, or contacting our local travel experts. 

4. Cerro Campanario 

Though short (just 1 km), heading to the summit of Cerro Campanario is another Lake District hiking highlight ­ — you’ll get to see panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. 

In fact, this is one of the best panoramic views in Patagonia — it overlooks Lago Nahuel Huapi, Lago Moreno, and the surrounding Andes.

Alternatively, a chairlift offers easy access to the top, which makes this one of the best Argentina hikes for those who are short on time, and travelers who need less strenuous options.

How to get to Cerro Campanario

Cerro Campanario is located 17 km west of Bariloche. So, fly into San Carlos de Bariloche Airport from Buenos Aires 2 hours).

The trailhead is located on Avenida Bustillo, and easily reached by local bus or taxi.

When to visit Cerro Campanario

Spring, summer and fall are all good times to visit, though you could use the chairlift in winter to soak up snowy scenes.

5. Paso del Viento 

Located in Los Glaciares National Park near El Chaltén in southern Patagonia, Paso del Viento (“Windy Pass”) is a challenging multi-day trek suitable for very experienced hikers seeking true adventure.

Traversing rugged terrains, glaciers, and high mountain passes, with campsites along the route, Paso del Viento serves epic views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and a sense of untamed nature. 

Little wonder then, that this is a bucket-list-level Argentina hike for serious trekkers and mountaineers. Many areas have no marked trail. As a result, guided tours are highly recommended.

How to get to the Paso del Viento 

Fly into El Calafate Airport Buenos Aires (3 hours) and take a bus to El Chaltén (3 hours).

The trail starts near El Chaltén. Register with park rangers at Centro de Visitantes Ceferino Fonzo.

When to trek Paso del Viento

Summer (December–February) offers the best conditions for trekking i.e. long days, milder weather, and stable trail access.

Planning to cover a lot of ground on your hiking adventures? Read up on getting around Argentina. 

6. Cerro Tronador and Refugio Otto Meiling

Straddling the Argentina–Chile border in the Andes near Bariloche, the extinct Cerro Tronador volcano rises to a height of 3478 meters.

Famous for its hanging glaciers, icefalls and the thundering cracks that gave rise to its name (Tronador = thunderer), hiking to the volcano’s Refugio Otto Meiling is one of Patagonia’s most rewarding mountain hikes.

The experience of staying overnight in a high-altitude refuge between two rivers of ice is definitely unique, and serves glorious glacier scenery.

How to get to Cerro Tronador 

Fly into Bariloche Airport from Buenos Aires (2 hours) and then drive or take a tour (2.5–3 hours) to Pampa Linda to reach the trailhead.

When to visit Cerro Tronador 

December to March offer the warmest, most stable conditions for tackling this epic Argentina hike.

7. Quebrada del Condorito

Quebrada del Condorito National Park is a protected area in central Argentina’s Sierras de Córdoba.

Famed for its dramatic canyon landscapes, and for being one of the best places to see Andean condors in flight, a moderate 12km trail traverses grassland and rocky outcrops, offering chances to spot diverse flora and fauna along the way.

At the end of the trail, a viewpoint overlooks a deep canyon that’s home to stacks of majestic Andean condors. 

How to get to Quebrada del Condorito

The closest city to the trail is Córdoba City, which is located about 85 km east of the park entrance.

From the city, take Ruta Provincial E55 or Ruta E34 to the park access gate, near Paraje La Pampilla.

When to visit Quebrada del Condorito

This trail is best tackled between October and April.

8. Quebrada de las Conchas

Quebrada de las Conchas (also called Quebrada de Cafayate) is a spectacular red-rock canyon in Salta Province, northern Argentina. 

Easily accessible, family-friendly, and perfect for combining light hiking with soaking up dramatic scenery, this is one of Argentina’s most stunning natural landscapes. Think rivers and colorful sandstone formations speckled with scenic hiking trails. 

Most hikes are short but scenic (10 to 45 minutes), and no entry fee or permits are required. 

Highlights include El Anfiteatro, an echo-filled natural amphitheatre, and Garganta del Diablo, a dramatic narrow canyon.

How to get to Quebrada de las Conchas

Cafayate, in the Calchaquí Valleys, is the best base for visiting the Quebrada.

The canyon starts just 15–20 km north of town along Ruta Nacional 68.

When to visit Quebrada de las Conchas 

This area is best explored from April to November. That way, you’ll enjoy warm, dry weather while avoiding the peak summer heat.

9. Laguna Esmeralda

Laguna Esmeralda — an emerald glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lenga forests — is a must-see wonder of Tierra del Fuego.

Easily reached from Ushuaia, it’s ideal for half-day hikers, with a 9 km round-trip trek taking you through peat bogs, beaver-dammed wetlands and forests that open up to stunning alpine scenery at the lake.

It’s an easy-to-moderate hike, with some muddy sections and uneven terrain.

How to get to Laguna Esmeralda

Fly into Ushuaia’s Malvinas Argentinas International Airport from Buenos Aires, El Calafate, or Bariloche.

The Laguna Esmeralda trailhead is located 18 km northeast of Ushuaia on Ruta Nacional 3. Either take a taxi (20–25 minutes from the city), or book a guided tour. 

When to visit Laguna Esmeralda

The lake is most accessible from November to March.

10. Senda Costera 

Another highlight of Tierra del Fuego National Park, the 8km Senda Costera coastal trail connects Ensenada Bay to Lapataia Bay.

The route follows the shoreline of the Beagle Channel, offering serene forest paths, wildlife sightings, and expansive sea and mountain views. 

As such, it’s one of the most beautiful and accessible day hikes in the far south of Patagonia — mostly flat, with some gentle climbs.

How to get to Senda Costera

Fly into Ushuaia from Buenos Aires or other major Argentine cities.

Tierra del Fuego National Park is located 12 km west of Ushuaia, and easy to reach by taxi, tour shuttles and local bus services.

When to visit Senda Costera

October to April (spring to early fall) is the best time to walk the Senda Costera trail, when the weather is warm and dry.

11. Paso de las Nubes 

Paso de las Nubes (“Pass of the Clouds”) is a stunning multi-day trekking route in Nahuel Huapi National Park, near Bariloche in Río Negro Province, Patagonia. 

Connecting Pampa Linda with Lago Frías, it offers jaw-dropping views of Cerro Tronador, glaciers, rivers, and dense forests.

Typically taking 2-3 days, the hike includes river crossings and overnight stays at refuges.

How to get to Paso de las Nubes

Fly into San Carlos de Bariloche Airport from Buenos Aires (2 hours) and drive 2.5 to 3 hours along Ruta Provincial 82 to Pampa Linda, the main trailhead. 

Daily vans and guided tour transport services are also available from Bariloche in the summer high season.

When to visit Paso de las Nubes

With mild temperatures, clear skies, and fully operational refuges and boat services, this is best tackled in summer.

Planning to travel the region independently? Read up on backpacking South America.

12. Cerro Uritorco

Cerro Uritorco is a legend-steeped mountain in Capilla del Monte, in Argentina’s Córdoba Province. 

At almost 2000 meters, it's the highest peak in the Sierras Chicas, and famous for its natural beauty, and mystical reputation. including tales of UFOs and underground civilizations.

The 12 km round-trip hike offers a moderate challenge, with a trail to the summit ascending through forests and rocky terrain.

It usually takes 3–5 hours to reach the summit, and 2–3 hours to descend, with condors frequently sighted along the way.

How to get to Cerro Uritorco

Capilla del Monte is 100 km from Córdoba City. You can either take a bus (3 hours) or drive Ruta Nacional 38 (2.5 hours).

The trailhead is located just outside Capilla del Monte, within walking or short taxi distance from town.

When to visit Cerro Uritorco

The cooler period of March to November is the best time to hike Cerro Uritorco. Come summer, it can be very hot, dry and dusty.

13. Laguna Capri 

Laguna Capri — a serene glacial lake near El Chaltén, in Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia —  offers the perfect introduction to hiking in El Chaltén.

Easily accessible and incredibly scenic, it’s ideal for those who are looking to experience Patagonia without a full-on full-day trek.

An 8km round trip, it takes 3-4 hours in total, with a gradual incline leading to the lake, where you can enjoy incredible views of Fitz Roy’s granite spires, rest on the shoreline, or set up camp at the designated free camping area.

How to get to Laguna Capri

Fly to El Calafate from Buenos Aires (3 hours), then take a regular bus or shuttle to El Chaltén (3 hours) — several services operate daily.

The trailhead starts at the north-western edge of El Chaltén.

When to visit Laguna Capri

December to March (summer) offer the warmest weather, long daylight hours (up to 16 hours), and ideal trail conditions.

14. Laguna Negra

Offering dramatic Andean scenery and alpine solitude, the Laguna Negra trail is a top-notch backcountry hike.

Laguna Negra itself is a pristine alpine lake tucked high in the Andes near Bariloche, northern Patagonia. 

Surrounded by dramatic rocky cliffs and accessed via a rewarding mountain trail, it’s one of the best Argentina hikes for experienced trekkers seeking solitude in a serene alpine setting.

The trail includes forested sections and open meadows, with the option to stay overnight in a refuge. 

How to get to Laguna Negra

Fly into San Carlos de Bariloche Airport from Buenos Aires (2 hours). To reach the trailhead, drive or take a bus to Colonia Suiza, which is around 25 km west of Bariloche.

When to visit Laguna Negra

November to April is the best time to tackle this.

15. Sendero al Fitz Roy

One of the best things to do in Patagonia, the 26 km round-trip trail of Sendero al Fitz Roy offers continuous views of Mount Fitz Roy.

A bucket-list trek in Patagonia, this combines dramatic alpine landscapes, pristine lakes, and one of the most iconic views in South America. 

It’s a full-day, 8-10-hour hike, and offers a moderate-to-strenuous experience through diverse terrain, including forests, rivers, and alpine meadows.

After a steep, rocky climb at the end of the hike (it culminates at the base of the iconic peak), you’ll be rewarded with one of the most photographed scenes in Patagonia. 

To split the hike and see sunrise over Fitz Roy, you could camp overnight at Campamento Poincenot or Laguna Capri.

How to get to Sendero al Fitz Roy, El Chaltén

Fly into El Calafate Airport from Buenos Aires (3 hours), then take a bus or shuttle from El Calafate to El Chaltén (3 hours). 

The trailhead is located on the north-western edge of El Chaltén.

When to visit Sendero al Fitz Roy, El Chaltén

December to March offer the best trail conditions, with long daylight hours and warm weather.

Ready to start planning your trip? Read our guide to how to plan a trip to Argentina, and wise up on getting to Argentina and Argentina accommodation.

Not keen on planning? Contact our local Argentina travel experts, who can curate your ideal Argentina itinerary for any duration.

For example, if you're short on time, you can cover plenty of top attractions on a 7 days Argentina itinerary, though extending that to a 14 days in itinerary Argentina comes highly recommended.