Petrified Forest La Leona from El Chaltén: fossilized tree trunks in the steppe

A day away from the mountains, in another Patagonia. The Petrified Forest of La Leona is located in the steppe, along Route 40, in the Sierra La Leona mountain range. It is a landscape of sedimentary hills eroded by the wind where petrified tree trunks millions of years old are exposed.

The excursion departs from El Chaltén with transportation included and lasts the full day. The highlight of the day is a guided hike of medium difficulty between the fossilized tree trunks and Cerro Los Hornos, with box lunch included, and the closing is at the historic Parador La Leona.

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Space for this experience is limited and sells out quickly in high season. Reservations are coordinated directly with our operations team through our inquiries channel. We will confirm availability and coordinate all the details for you to live the experience in an organized and safe way.

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• Itinerary

  Detailed itinerary of the excursion

  The day begins with a retreat to your accommodation in El Chaltén and a transfer across the steppe to Sierra La Leona, on Route 40.

  Retreat at your accommodation in El Chaltén

  Transfer included

  Transfer across the steppe to the Sierra La Leona

  Views of Lake Viedma and the Andean mountain range

  Arrival at Estancia Teresita

  Starting point of the hike

  Hike through the Petrified Forest

  Fossilized logs and Cerro Los Hornos, with box lunch

  Closing at the Parador La Leona

  Historic rest stop on Route 40

  Return to El Chaltén

  Transfer to your accommodation

  Included in the tour

  Meeting and closing

  The other side of Patagonia

  Unlike the other excursions in El Chaltén, there are no glaciers or lenga forests here: it's the steppe. Hills of gray and ochre sediments, sculpted by the wind into gullies, canyons, and mushroom-shaped formations. An almost lunar landscape just over an hour from the Andes.

  Stone logs

  Petrified tree trunks appear among these hills: trees from a forest that grew here millions of years ago, when the region's climate was very different, and which over time turned to stone. The guide explains how they formed and how erosion exposed them.

  Cerro Los Hornos and the La Leona Inn

  The hike follows the natural depression next to Cerro Los Hornos, which provides shelter from the wind. The day ends at Parador La Leona, one of the historic landmarks on Route 40, before returning to El Chaltén.

  The fossils at the site are protected: removing fragments is prohibited. The guide indicates which areas allow you to touch the tree trunks.

• Info to keep in mind

  This excursion is booked directly with us, local operators in El Chaltén, without intermediaries or online agency commissions.Here's everything you need to know in detail:

  • Excursion details

    Duration

    Full day · 8 to 9 hours

    Includes transfers to and from El Chaltén.

    Difficulty level

    Medium

    Hike through natural terrain with ups and downs between the hills, without technical sections.

    Age

    From 6 years old

    Highly recommended for families. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Recommendations

    Hiking boots or comfortable shoes with good traction, a small backpack, a windproof jacket and layers of warm clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a water bottle. There is no shade on the steppe, and the wind is often strong.

  • Includes
    • Transfer to and from your accommodation in El Chaltén.
    • Guide throughout the excursion.
    • Guided walk through the Petrified Forest and Los Hornos Hill.
    • Access to the paleontological site.
    • Box lunch.
    • Excursion insurance.
  • Does not include
    • Meals and drinks outside of the box lunch.
    • Consumption at the Parador La Leona.
    • Urban use rate of El Chaltén.
  • Climatic conditions
    • The excursion can be done in any weather, except in the case of heavy snowfall that compromise the group's safety.
    • Since it's steppe and not mountain, it's usually a good option for days when Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are covered in clouds.

Want to compare with other options? Find all the excursions in El Chaltén available in our catalog.