HIKING LOMA DEL PLIEGUE TUMBADO IN EL CHALTEN, PATAGONIA
Spending a week in El Chalten, Patagonia, one of my favorite hikes has got to be Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. For some reason, this hike gets skipped a lot. But the panoramic views of the snow cones mountains of Patagonia are absolutely worth an extra day!
Let me tell you why...
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Climbing 1000m to the first viewpoint and then another 500m to reach the second, the trail begins at the national parks visitor's center, on the same trail as Laguna Toro. It's around 4 hours and 10km each way.
On a clear day, you'll have some gorgeous views of Fitz Roy as you head to the forest. There's something magical about the mountains in Patagonia, and Fitz Roy never ceases to take my breath away.
Fitz Roy on a sunny day
Much of the trail is through the forest, so if it's a little blustery, you'll be protected by the trees. As you head out of the forest, the landscape becomes much more exposed. The trail is rocky and it's a good idea to have a windproof jacket.
With a slow and steady rise, for the most part, it's pretty easy. At the first viewpoint, you'll see just how high you've come. Taking a moment, the formations of the mountains are extraordinary.
The first viewpoint
Looking further ahead, there's a 'hill' with a faint zig-zagging trail. Follow the trail up to the top. This part can be tricky, as it's pretty slippery even with good shoes and if there's too much snow, it might not be possible. You might find some hiking poles useful, but they weren't necessary.
Climbing to the absolute top, now that's one heck of a view.
Gorgeous views from the top!
Don't forget to look back! The landscapes are just as gorgeous on the other side!
El Chalten landscape
So pretty!
Travel tips before you go
As I mentioned, this trail can be blustery. On some days, if the wind is too strong, it can be dangerous to do given how exposed you are. On a regular day, it's really windy, so I dread to think what's it's like if there's a storm looming. Check the forecast with your hostel or the visitor's center.
This trail is also best done on a day with clear skies. Although if you do have a choice between Fitz Roy and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado on a clear day, definitely do Fitz Roy! Famous for having its peak in the clouds, there's no question!
To read more about the difficulty of the different trails in El Chalten, check out this post.
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