El Chalten is considered the hiking capital of Argentina and having spent the last five days here, I can see why. It is my idea of a dream destination. There are so many trails that start from the town which is surrounded by mountain peaks. All were visible on the days I spent here against amazingly, blue skies. One day was completely cloudless and the scenery simply looked like a painting. So lucky to have such perfect hiking conditions! I hiked the main trails in the National Park; Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. The elevation on these trails was at times a challenge, but the views were worth it on all the trails. I had the pleasure of hiking with the loveliest Canadian couple, which made the trails go by quickly with great conversation.
My final day in El Chalten was spent on the shorter trail to Chorillo dal Salto and enjoying something other than pasta cooked in my hostel!
Before El Chalten I had a couple of days in El Calafate to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. There are different trails to follow, all on walkways and you constantly hear the glacier carving. I saw a couple of huge carvings whilst I was there and the noise and sheer scale of them is incredible to witness.
What an idyllic week! Mountains, hiking, sunshine! I leave feeling incredibly blessed to have had the chance to be surrounded by snow-covered peaks on beautiful day hikes, meeting great people to share trail stories with and end each day with cakes and cookies that more than replenished the calories burnt.
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