From El Chalten to Lago del Desierto
The Lago del Desierto is one of the most beautiful excursions you can do from El Chaltén fillage. The route borders the Río de las Vueltas, full of rapids and becomes more transparent as it approaches the lake. In addition to enjoying the beauty of the landscape, you can do navigations and walks of varying degrees of difficulty. It´s one of the most important excursions after the main trekkings you can enjoy in El Chaltén. But, how to go from El Chalten to Lago del Desierto?
How to go from El Chalten to Lago del Desierto?
Taking Route 23 and after traveling 40 km, you will be in this lake that has been the subject of disputes between Argentina and Chile. To arrive take your time; the road is in the mountains and it will take you about 2 hours. During the season there are regular transport services from El Chaltén.
Despite the desolation that its name indicates, the landscape through which it will circulate is of spectacular beauty: a tall forest of lengas and ñires, of an intense green, with the permanent view of the Fitz Roy and Torre massifs, glaciers and waterfalls .
8 km. from the town of El Chaltén, you will find the northern limit of Los Glaciares National Park and at km 13 you will have to cross the bridge over the Blanco river. On the right bank of the Eléctrico river, there is a path that leads to the Piedra del Fraile refuge (if you want to ascend it is a 2-hour walk).
If you want to get to the lake, then continue 20 km. to border the Laguna El Cóndor and observe the imposing northeast wall of Cerro Fitz Roy and there you will be at the southern tip of Lago del Desierto.
What to do in Lago del Desierto?
Lago del Desierto, in Chile known as the Desert Lake, is framed by a lush forest of lengas and ñires and two mountain ranges: the Vespignani range to the west with its hanging glaciers and the Forest range to the east. This water resource is 10 kilometers long north-south and approximately 1 km east-west. In addition, it is fed by the Diablo river and several melt streams that make up this magnificent water mirror. The river of Las Vueltas is born from it, which flows into Lake Viedma.
Those who visit the lake area will be able to enjoy a pleasant stay in a wild area that does not have any commercial premises or service station, so it is recommended to travel with enough fuel. Upon arrival and walking about 300 meters you will find a viewpoint from which you can appreciate the lake from south to north, and a few meters from the parking lot there is a private campsite.
A bit of history: The conflict with Lago del Desierto
In 1965, during a routine reconnaissance, a group of Argentine gendarmes found a settlement of Chilean carabiners a few meters from Lago del Desierto. This generated a dispute between both countries that began to dispute the territory. It was one more episode of the border conflict between sister nations that in turn led to the founding of El Chaltén. Indeed, the town of El Chalten was created on October 12, 1985, as a geopolitical decision at a time when Argentina was facing this conflict with the neighboring country of Chile due to the border demarcation in the area of Lake Del Desierto and the Continental Ice South Patagonian. Did you know?
From Lago del Desierto: Trekking to the Huemul Glacier
Once in Lago del Desierto, you can start a trekking to the Huemul Glacier. The duration of the tour is around two hours. The trip is a trekking in ascense to the Huemul lagoon and Glacier, also contemplating beautiful panoramic views of Fitz Roy on the left, and Lago del Desierto on the right. The landscape is unique and amazing. Then, you will see the coast, and small beach, where you can see the length of the Lago del Desierto.
On the way back, the last stop is made at Chorrillo del Salto, where there is a quiet walk of 30 minutes between roundtrip, to get to see the Chorrillo Waterfall.
Trekking to Huemul Glacier in Lago del Desierto
This trekking takes place in the southern area of Lago Del Desierto, that is located 37 km from El Chaltén. The trail quickly enters a lenga forest and in a few minutes begins its ascent along a well-marked path. In just over half an hour of ascent you will reach a ridge with panoramic views of the De las Vueltas river valley and Fitz Roy. Then, towards the north east, to see the Lago del Desierto and behind the Cordón del Bosque. Continuing along the ridge for another 15 minutes you will reach the beautiful Huemul lagoon, fed by the glacier of the same name.
