These are the shortest walks from El Chaltén. One takes you to a viewpoint on the top of a small hill, Cóndores, overlooking the town of El Chaltén. This viewpoint lends itself to spectacular panoramic views of the massifs of Torre, Fitz Roy and the Valley of the Vueltas River. The other one takes you to a viewpoint where you can admire Lake Viedma and the never ending steppe.
The panoramic spot, Cóndores, is recommended for those who love photography; from here you can take impressive shots of the sunrise.
We leave the center of El Chaltén by crossing over the bridge of the Fitz Roy River, at the town entrance, and then continuing along to the National Park offices. From here we pick up the trailhead and walk up the path to the viewpoint.
After a gentle climb of some 40 minutes, we arrive at a viewpoint which is strategically located for the possibility of spotting condors on their frequent flight between the valleys of the Vueltas River and the Fitz Roy River. Furthermore, it’s perfect for admiring the impressive granite peaks and glaciers beyond the town of El Chaltén.
It is the ideal spot for people who arrive at midday, want a short walk to understand the geography of the area, for drinking mate, or maybe just sitting and contemplating the beauty of nature.
The other viewpoint, las Aguilas, is not far away, with just 30 minutes between one and the other, a gentle stroll along the path to admire the vast space of the Patagonian steppe and immensity of Lake Viedma.
This walk coincides perfectly with a quick look in the National Park Visitors’ Centre, maybe a chat with a Park Ranger who will surely have an interesting tale to tell!