Mountaineering in Patagonia

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The Andes Mountains form the great spine of Patagonia, and wherever their immense peaks erupt into the sky, there are climbers following behind with ropes, crampons and an urge to push themselves harder and higher.

This is a region rich with mountaineering opportunities, from the introductory peaks of the Argentinian and Chilean Lake Districts, to the granite crags of Los Glaciers, where some of the world’s great mountaineers cut their teeth.

Where to go mountaineering in Patagonia

Swoop says

As a proud Argentinian, you’d expect me to lay claim to this part of Patagonia having the best mountains in the Andes, but with Lanín volcano and Tronador in the north and Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy in the south, can you blame me for thinking this region is a mountaineer’s delight?

Marcela Benegas Customer Experience Coordinator

Climbing in El Chaltén

A climber on the snow in the approach to Cerro Mojon Rojo near El Chaltén

Climbing Cerro Mojon Rojo near El Chaltén

Where to go mountaineering in Patagonia

Mountaineering in Los Glaciares

Paso Cuadrado climb in Los Glaciares

Cerro Solo climb

The route to Gorra Blanca

Los Glaciares is the spiritual home of mountaineering in Patagonia: spend any time in El Chaltén and it can seem that every other person is there to bag a peak.

One of the best mountains close to El Chaltén is the isolated peak of Cerro Sol (2,221 m/7,286 feet). Summiting Cerro Solo rewards you with spectacular views of the iconic Mounts Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Cerro Torre is normally a 3-day ascent, with access to this glaciated peak via a great day of hiking out of El Chaltén and around Mount FitzRoy. You'll check gear and practice your skills on the Torre Glacier (a great destination in itself).

Vespignani (2,146 m/7,040 feet) is a peak that can be climbed in a single day from El Chaltén and has possibly the best view of any mountain here, taking in FitzRoy and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The climb takes about six hours and involves a glacier traverse. Some experience using an ice axe and crampons will help you reach the summit with ease, however the climb is often used locally as a great introduction to glacier-level climbing.

Finally Cerro Gorra Blanca (2,900 m/9,514 feet) offers the biggest (and most rewarding) challenge of all. It's a demanding expeditionary-level ascent that involves two days ascending the Marconi glacier to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and a day for the summit itself. With good weather, you can bag the summit in six days, but we prefer to build in two days contingency due to the extreme conditions on the ice cap. Our most challenging hike, the South Patagonian Ice Field Expedition, crosses the ice cap to the foot of Cerro Gorra Blanca.

Mountaineering in the Argentinian Lake District

The Argentinian Lake District is about great mountains that stand free in their surroundings rather than be boxed in by other peaks.

Volcan Lanín 3,776 m/12,388 feet) in Lanín National Park near San Martín de los Andes offers some of the most breathtaking views, and has a relatively quick ascent at two days on the mountain.

Cerro Tronador (3,491 m/11,453 feet) in Nahuel Huapi National Park is accessed from Bariloche. Summiting the mountain usually involves a three day expedition, basing yourself at the Meiling mountain hut on the first and second nights. There are several peaks on Tronador: for a good introductory adventure you can tackle Pico Argentino at 3,187 m (10, 456 feet).

Lanín volcano climb in the Argentinian Lake District

Mountaineering in the Chilean Lake District

The Chilean Lake District is home to the perfectly cone-shaped Villarica (2,840 m/9,318 feet) and Osorno (2,665 m/8743 feet). Both are active volcanoes, and are ideal for those new to mountaineering.

Villarica gives its name to Villarica National Park, and is accessed from Pucón. It can be climbed in a single long day of good weather. Crampons and ropes are used in places, but no technical experience is required. The view of the Andes from the summit is one of our favourites in Patagonia.

Osorno, in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park near Puerto Varas can also be climbed in a single day, but an overnight option also exists. Its upper slopes are almost entirely covered in glaciers so previous experience is advisable.

Volcano climb in the Chilean Lake District

Mountaineering in Aysen

The Aysen region is home to some mighty peaks, including the two highest mountains in Patagonia: San Valentín (4,058 m/13,314 feet) and San Lorenzo (3,706 m/12,158 feet).

San Valentin emerges from the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. Access is via Puerto Guadal on the Carretera Austral highway. Expeditions require a minimum of six days on the mountain.

San Lorenzo, stands in a beautiful and remote area on the Chile-Argentina border accessed from Cochrane close to Patagonia National Park. It's an especially stunning climb: on a clear day you can see as far as Fitz Roy in Los Glaciares as well as the Ice Field. Climbs here require a minimum of five days on the mountain.

Coyhaique is the main starting point for both ascents.

San Lorenzo climb in Aysen

Swoop says

We don't offer set departures for any of our mountaineering expeditions: every trip is tailored to your perfect adventure. Get in touch to make it happen

Swoop says

El Chaltén in Los Glaciares is the spiritual home of mountaineering in Patagonia. Every time I'm there I look up and think of those pioneers in the 1950s who made the first ascents of FitzRoy and Cerro Torre.

Tomas Hernandez Patagonia Sales Consultant