Desert Lake
the remote north of El Chaltén
37 kilometers from El Chaltén, Following the Río de las Vueltas along Provincial Route 23, 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 region.
What to do at Desert Lake
The journey from the village is already part of the attraction: the route skirts the Río de las Vueltas with viewpoints over the valley and, in good weather, views of the massif. Fitz Roy from angles not visible from the classic trails. The tour takes about an hour.
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 that reaches the base of the glacier with views of the north face of Fitz Roy, another to a viewpoint, and a third... 800 meters flat, suitable for anyone. 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, and that history is linked to the very origin of El Chaltén.
The conflict and its resolution
The dispute 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. El Chaltén, founded in 1985, was largely established to consolidate the Argentine presence in this region.
A step towards Chile
Today it's also a border crossing: from the northern end of the lake there's a passage to Villa O'Higgins, frequently used by cyclists and backpackers traveling the Carretera Austral. It's a route that combines boating, hiking, and immigration procedures, and it's only open seasonally.
When to go
The season runs from October to mid-April.
A different climate than in the town
Being in a narrow valley, the area receives more rainfall than El Chaltén And the forest is denser and more humid. It's advisable to bring a waterproof jacket even if it's clear in the village.
Navigation depends on the wind
They can be cancelled with little notice, so it's best not to leave this outing until the last day of the trip: if it's cancelled, there's still time to reschedule.
Plan your visit
Look at the complete catalog of excursions or the guide to What to do in El Chaltén.