Argentina EC - Lago Torre

5 images 1 contributors

Hougaard Malan

About this spot
As far as hikes go, this has to be in the top ten on the planet. There are few places on earth where you can see such grand wilderness for so little physical effort. This easy walk will take you into a valley that will make you feel like you’re a world away from civilization. If you’re able to do it, it is an absolute must, but planning is critical to making your hike to Lago Torre successful. You can hike in and out on the same day, but if you want to shoot it at sunrise (recommended) or sunset, then you’ll either have to depart at a crazy hour or return at a crazy hour. If you opt to camp at the lake, you’ll get a lot more time at this beautiful destination for your invested efforts. Read on to find out more about your options.

My first recommendation is definitely to camp at the lake. There is a designated camping area in the forest below the lake with a rustic toilet and lots of level areas to pitch a tent. You can spend one, two or even more nights here. The beauty of this destination is that in April the camping sites are mostly deserted, so you can chop and change your plans as much as you want. If you don’t own hiking gear or you don’t want to lug yours all the way to Patagonia, you can rent everything you need in town. There are several hiking stores that sell and rent everything from stoves to sleeping bags. You can also get a porter in town to carry your gear for you at a fair fee.

If tents and sleeping bags aren’t your thing, then the best time to visit is in the morning. You’ll need to give yourself 4 hours to get there and you’ll need to be there 60min before sunrise in case the alpenglow is good - so you’ll have to start walking at a very unpleasant hour. In early April the sun rises at 7am so if you do the math, you’ll realise that you need to start walking at 2am. Perhaps a tent and sleeping bag is starting to look attractive now? I’ve done it twice and it is definitely worth the effort, but spending the night at Camp D’Agostini is much more convenient. Do not attempt to hike this route in darkness for the first time if you’re not very confident in your navigational abilities - especially not alone. Source a guide in town or do an exploratory hike during the day.

Join PhotoHound to learn how, where and when to capture amazing photos here

  • Know the best times, seasons & shooting conditions
  • Detailed directions - maps, co-ordinates and directions
  • Know how to get there - where to park or how to reach there using public transport
  • Browse inspirational photos and learn how they were taken - see the EXIF details
  • Bookmark your favourite spots for future reference
  • Know exactly when to shoot for beautiful photographs - sunrise, sunset, blue hour and astrophotography
  • Detailed, 7-day weather forecast at this location
  • Share your images with like-minded travel photographers
Essential Information

Guides

This spot appears in 1 guide.


Share this photo spot


Join thousands of photographers exploring the world with PhotoHound

Sign up or Log in