Laguna Torre (Cerro Torre)

One of the most frequented day hikes from El Chaltén, the route to Laguna Torre leads to a glacial lake at the base of the Torre massif. The 18 km out-and-back trail follows the Fitz Roy River valley, moving through sub-antarctic forests of ñire and lenga. The terrain is primarily well-maintained gravel paths and packed dirt, with a short initial ascent followed by mostly level walking through the glacial valley. The destination offers direct views of Cerro Torre (3,128m) and the Adela range, with icebergs frequently calving from the Torre Glacier into the lake.

This 2-day circuit is arguably the most demanding and beautiful way to experience the Central Massif of the Picos de Europa. Starting from the isolated village of Bulnes (reached by funicular or foot), the trail ascends the 'Canal de Amuesa'—an impossibly steep limestone corridor—before traversing an undulating, high-alpine karst moonscape. The destination is the Refugio Jou de los Cabrones (2,034m), the highest and most remote managed hut in the national park, nestled in a deep limestone bowl ringed by jagged summits.