Desert Lake: the remote north of El Chaltén

Located 37 kilometers from El Chaltén, along Provincial Route 41 following the Río de las Vueltas, Lago del Desierto occupies a narrow valley surrounded by Andean forest and mountains. It is one of the least traveled areas in the region and one of the most impressive: hanging glaciers, turquoise water, and a density of vegetation that contrasts sharply with the steppe that dominates the rest of the area.

The path

The journey itself is part of the charm. The route follows the banks of the Río de las Vueltas, offering viewpoints overlooking the valley and, in good weather, views of the Fitz Roy massif from angles not visible from the standard trails. The hike takes about an hour.

To do

Navigation and Vespignani Glacier

From Punta Sur, you sail towards the Vespignani Glacier Reserve, with views of the Huemul and Crestón glaciers. Within the reserve, there are approximately two hours to explore self-guided trails of varying difficulty: one leading to the foot of the glacier with views of the north face of Fitz Roy, another to a viewpoint, and a third, 800-meter flat trail suitable for everyone. This is the proposal of Desert Lake with Vespignani Glacier.

Huemul Glacier Viewpoint

On the south side of the lake, a marked trail ascends for about two hours to the Huemul Glacier viewpoint, overlooking the glacier and the lagoon that formed at its base. The option to Transfer with self-guided trekking to the Huemul Glacier It's midday.

Activities on the Río de las Vueltas

On the way to the lake, along the same river, they make the Class III rapids rafting and the kayaking in calm waters, which take advantage of the same landscape corridor.

A border story

For decades, Lago del Desierto was a point of border dispute between Argentina and Chile. The conflict included an armed incident in 1965 that resulted in the death of a Chilean police officer, and was only resolved in 1994 through an international arbitration award that recognized Argentine sovereignty over the area.

Today it also serves as a gateway to Chile: from the northern end of the lake, there is a border crossing to Villa O'Higgins, frequently used by cyclists and backpackers traveling the Carretera Austral. The route combines boating, hiking, and immigration procedures, and is only open seasonally.

When to go

The season runs from October to mid-April. Located in a narrow valley, the area receives more rainfall than El Chaltén, and the forest is denser and more humid. Boat trips are dependent on the wind and may be canceled, so it's best not to leave this excursion until the last day of your trip.

Plan your visit

Look at the complete catalog of excursions or the guide to What to do in El Chaltén.