Four Itchy Feet

February 14, 2025. Sendero to Laguna Capri, El Chaltén, Argentina.

Today, we took the Sendero Fitz Roy to Laguna Capri. This trail can take you all the way up to Lago de los Tres, but as we mentioned earlier—and today confirmed—the entrance through Río Eléctrico is much nicer.

The trail to Laguna Capri is just 5.5 miles round trip, with a respectable climb of 1,310 feet. It is accessed through the main park entrance at the end of El Chaltén’s main street. As you begin the hike, you quickly ascend and soon enjoy beautiful views of the town. From this vantage point, you get a bird’s-eye view of the entire area.

As you continue, you experience what many locals describe as the “tearing down” of the mountain. The trail is so overused that it is simply eroding away. As the main path disappears into dust, secondary trails are forming along its sides. I don’t believe people will stop coming—El Chaltén is a hiker’s paradise—but I only hope that the new fees are invested in trail maintenance to encourage more responsible use.

The trail continues with Río Las Vueltas on your right and several beautiful views of its winding course. After the first couple of kilometers, Fitz Roy and its surrounding peaks appear in the distance. Soon after, you arrive at the lake. Laguna Capri is tranquil and appears to support a nearby campsite. We enjoyed a snack before heading back into town.

Since it was Valentine’s Day, a good dinner and a bottle of Malbec were mandatory. We went to Patagonicus restaurant, where we had a table outside. The dinner was wonderful—the food was tasty and well-prepared, the wine was heavenly smooth, and the ambiance was perfect. The service was superb, making the evening even more special.

Barbara made friends with a polite stray dog, who was content with just a few scraps and rewarded her with affectionate Valentine’s Day love. She named him Agustino. This was a great Valentine’s Day in El Chaltén.