Secret glacier near Fitz Roy: how to get to Huemul from El Chalten and what to see
The Huemul Glacier is a perfect short hike near the town of El Chalten. Patagonia. I recently took this route and was delighted: short, easy, inexpensive and with great views - mountains, glacier and bright blue lake.
A great option for a day of rest between big tracks like Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre. The place can still be called a small “hidden pearl” – many tourists do not know about it.
Brief facts (circular route)
- Distance: 3 km (1.9 miles)
- Altitude gain: 215 m (700 ft)
Maximum height: 725 m (2,375 ft)
- Difficulty: easy.
(statistics are indicated for round-trip)
How to get there
The glacier is located about 35 km north of El Chalten. On unpaved, sometimes narrow and winding road the road will take about 1.5 hours by car or about 2 hours by bus. Many hotels in El Chalten help with booking a ticket; you can book travel via Frontera Sur or Zona Austral, but I was more comfortable booking through my hotel. The bus drives directly to the hotel and takes you back to the trail parking lot, which is very convenient.
The price of a bus ticket is about $23 USD for a round trip (as of 2026). Views tip: The windows on the left when moving open up the best panoramas, including the Fitz Roy. I left by bus at 8:00 and returned at 16:00 – it was about 6 hours of free time, which is more than enough to walk the trail and have time to stop at Lago del Desierto. There is also a 9:30 departure option if you want to start later. If you have time, you can take a boat trip along the Lago del Desierto.
Entrance and infrastructure
The area near the trail is equipped with parking spaces, toilets and a small stall with drinks, snacks and souvenirs. As the trail passes through private grounds, there is an entrance fee of about $9 per person (as of 2026). You can pay in cash or by card.
What to expect on the route
The route is short and easy, with a little steepness towards the end - many won't sweat. Even before the active ascent, you will already see the glacier, passing through the fence and the old pasture pen for cows. Then the trail goes in the shadow of a mossy green forest; along the way there are several picturesque waterfalls worth a short absence.
It takes less than half an hour to get to the base point by the lake and the first view of the glacier; the panorama itself is really impressive. On sunny days, the water is really turquoise. Sometimes you are lucky to see wild huemul (South Andean deer) - it is from them that the place gets its name. There are mosquitoes and sometimes midges on the shore, so repellent is definitely useful.
A little practical advice
There are usually not many people on the trail - the feeling of solitude persists.
If you want additional views, climb the side path to the eastern ridge - this will add about 15 minutes and will give you a view of the lake from above. I highly recommend it.
Check the route map in AllTrails or a similar app before exiting to navigate the terrain and profile.
A little about the guide.
Although the trail is easy to walk on your own, a tour with a local guide makes the impression deeper: the guide will tell you about the geology of the glacier, the habits of the local fauna, the history of pastures and safe places for photos. The guide can also help with logistics – transfer or organization of a boat to Lago del Desierto.
Route map
For a detailed track and height profile, check out AllTrails – there are proven tracks and reviews from other travelers.
To sum up: Huemul is a short, beautiful and affordable hike, perfect for a fasting day in Patagonia. It is easy to get, the entrance is symbolic, and the views are remembered for a long time. If you want not just to see the glacier, but to understand its “context”, take a local guide.
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