How To Go to Huemul Glacier From El Chalten, Patagonia
The Huemul glacier is a pleasant little hike close to the city of El Chalten, within the Patagonia area of Argentina.
I did this hike just lately and actually loved it! It’s brief, straightforward, and comparatively cheap, and also you get to see some good mountains, a glacier, and a vibrant blue lake.
It’s an effective way to spend a relaxation day between larger hikes like Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre, and most of the people visiting El Chalten don’t learn about this spot but, so it’s nonetheless a little bit of a hidden gem.
This journey information will clarify how one can get to the Huemul glacier, and what to anticipate on the hike!
Fast Details*
- Distance: 3 kilometers (1.9 mi)
- Elevation Achieve: 215 meters (700 ft)
- Max Altitude: 725 meters (2,375 ft)
- Issue: Simple
*These stats are for the spherical journey hike
Bridge crossing
How To Get There
The Huemul glacier is positioned about 35 kilometers north of El Chalten city, and you will get there by automotive or bus.
The drive takes 1.5 hours by automotive or 2 hours by bus. It’s all on slim, winding gravel roads, however it’s comfy sufficient.
Your lodge in El Chalten can ebook the bus for you, or you may ebook it via Frontera Sur or Zona Austral. I discovered it best to rearrange via my lodge.
The bus will choose you up instantly out of your lodge in El Chalten city, after which watch for you on the Huemul car parking zone, so it’s very handy.
It prices 25,000 pesos per individual for a roundtrip bus ticket, which is round $23 USD as of 2025. It’s nicely price it!
Mountain views on the way in which to Huemul
The most effective views on the way in which to Huemul are out the left window, the place you may see Fitz Roy and another nice mountains.
I took the bus at 8 AM, after which got here again at 4 PM. That gave me 6 hours of free time, which was greater than sufficient time to do the hike and likewise see the close by Lago del Desierto.
There’s additionally a 9:30 AM bus if you wish to begin a bit later. In any other case, you should use the additional time to affix a ship journey across the Lago del Desierto!
Car parking zone on the trailhead for Huemul glacier
Kiosk the place you pay the doorway price
Entrance Payment
There may be an entrance price for the Huemul glacier hike because it’s positioned on non-public property.
The price is 10k pesos (~$9 USD) per individual as of 2025, and you may pay it with money or bank card.
The trailhead has loads of parking areas, restrooms, and a small kiosk the place you should buy snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
Begin of the hike to Huemul
Comply with the indicators
Huemul Glacier Hike: What To Anticipate
This hike is brief and straightforward, with a little bit of steepness close to the tip. You may not even break a sweat.
Earlier than you begin climbing, you’ll already get a pleasant view of the glacier from the trailhead as you stroll via the fence and previous a cow pasture.
From right here, the path is generally shaded by a mossy inexperienced forest, and there are a number of good waterfalls alongside the way in which which might be price a brief detour.
Forest path
It takes lower than half-hour of climbing to achieve the bottom of the lake and see the glacier, which is spectacular.
Sadly I didn’t have nice climate so it was a bit cloudy and wet, however on a sunny day the water may be extraordinarily blue!
Generally for those who’re fortunate, you may see wild huemuls right here (south Andean deer), which is how the place will get its identify.
I did see just a few mosquitoes on the lake, and I’ve seen some reviews of flies, so that you may need to deliver bug spray simply in case.
Huemul glacier & lake
There have been a handful of different hikers on the lake, however for essentially the most half I had the path all to myself, which was good. Most individuals nonetheless don’t learn about it.
In the event you really feel like going additional, there’s a facet path up the ridge on the east facet of the lake, supplying you with views of the lake from above.
It solely provides quarter-hour to the hike, so I’d extremely suggest it!
Above the lake
Huemul glacier
Map Of The Path
Right here’s a map from AllTrails that reveals the climbing route and elevation profile.
In the event you join AllTrails Plus, you may obtain the map and use it offline whereas climbing. It’s very helpful!
Extra Patagonia Journey Guides
Thanks for trying! I hope you loved this information for visiting the Huemul glacier close to El Chalten, Argentina.
Don’t neglect to take a look at my different journey guides for Patagonia earlier than you go!
