Loma del Pliegue Tumbado: My Introduction to Hiking in Patagonia
Arriving in the Santa Cruz province of the Patagonian region, we drove about three hours from the airport in El Calafate to El Chaltén. Known as Argentina’s trekking capital, El Chaltén is a quaint mountain town, home to Los Glaciares National Park and the starting point for many hikes in the region. From the town itself, you have beautiful views of snow-capped mountains, including the famous Mount Fitz Roy (Cerro Chaltén) and Cerro Torre.
The first hike on the itinerary was Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. The trail starts directly from town and follows a gradual ascent. The beginning of the hike moves through forest with the trail eventually opening up to hillsides where the views begin to expand. You eventually reach higher ridgelines offering panoramic views of Fitz Roy (Cerro Chaltén) and Cerro Torre, as well as the waters of Laguna Torre. The last stretch of the hike to the final viewpoint is steep and was a bit challenging for my first hike in months, testing my cardio on the way up and my knees on the way down.
What makes Loma del Pliegue Tumbado unique are the 360-degree panoramic views it offers of the region. The hike is quite exposed to the elements but we were fortunate to enjoy extraordinary weather throughout the day: clear skies, bright sun, little wind, and no rain - a true exception for Patagonian weather conditions.
Hike Details
Distance: 22 km
Elevation Gain: 1,132 m (3,714 ft)
Time on Trail: 8 hours
