12 walks that cost nothing: the lakeshore, viewpoints, trails and lakes. With distances, local tips and each one on the map.
80 km from the center
Half a day or more, including the trip
Park entry fee
Patagonia's most visited glacier, just metres from the walkways. You pay the National Park entry; walking the walkways costs nothing extra.
Bring a jacket even if it's sunny, because it gets colder near the ice, and stay quiet for a while facing the glacier: that's when you hear it best.
Walk / Run · Panoramic views · Photography
You can walk to all of them from the center.
Right in the center
About 30 min
Local artisans with weavings, souvenirs, and regional products. Free entry.
Guanaco wool weavings are the most authentic. Ask for the ones dyed with calafate berries.
Walk / Run · Shopping & crafts
Right in the center
About 30 min
A lane of wooden shops right in the center, with gnome figures everywhere. Souvenirs, clothing, chocolate and somewhere to eat. Free entry.
Souvenir prices vary a lot from shop to shop: check a couple before you buy. And if you want something made here, keep going to the Paseo de los Artesanos.
Walk / Run · Shopping & crafts · Photography
Right in the center
About 30 min
Los Glaciares National Park information center. Exhibits and historical data.
Ask for the printed trail map of the National Park. It's not on the website.
Walk / Run · Photography
0.5 km from the center
About 30 min
An urban park south of downtown, with trails and green space.
The least touristy spot on this list. If you want some quiet time without running into other visitors, this is it.
Walk / Run · Relax
0.5 km from the center
About 20 min
An open-air amphitheater among the trees, used for concerts and events.
Ask at the Tourism Office if there's an event scheduled during your stay.
Walk / Run · Relax
1 km from the center
1 h round trip
Panoramic view of the town, the valley, and Lago Argentino from the upper hills.
Go up early to dodge the wind. Photos come out best with low sun.
Walk / Run · Panoramic views · Photography
1.8 km from the center
2 h round trip
Lakeside promenade along Lago Argentino, with the "El Calafate" sign on the wooden boardwalk. Flamingos, black-necked swans, and turquoise water.
Go at sunset: the light on the lake is something else, and it's the best time for the photo with the sign.
Walk / Run · Cycling · Birdwatching · Photography
2.1 km from the center
2 h round trip
Lookout on the shore of Lago Argentino, with a beach, trees and an open view of the lake and the Andes.
A good place to sit by the lake for a while, away from the bustle of downtown.
Panoramic views · Cycling · Photography
For a full day: bring water, layers and something to eat.
10.4 km trail · 5.4 h
The hill the city is named after. A demanding loop with 360° panoramic views.
It's a long loop with steep climbs: not the first hike to try if you've never walked in the mountains. Head out early.
Trekking · Photography
13.9 km trail · 5 h
A long loop through the canyon, climbing to an 829m plateau with a waterfall along the way. Set aside the whole day.
This is a full-day hike (4-5 hours of actual walking, plus however long you stop to rest or take photos): bring food, plenty of water, and let someone know your route.
Trekking · Photography
12.9 km trail · 4.5 h
45.4 km from the center
A long, demanding hike in the same area as Lago Roca, inside the National Park: views of the Perito Moreno glacier from up high.
This is a full-day excursion: over 1,000m of real elevation gain, not a short walk. Bring water, food, good footwear, and let someone know your route.
Trekking · Photography
46.7 km from the center
Half a day, including the trip
A small lake inside the National Park, right on RP15. Steppe, wildflowers, and mountains behind it.
This is inside the National Park, but in the free-access sector, unlike the road to the Perito Moreno glacier, there's no entrance fee here.
Walk / Run · Panoramic views · Photography
They sometimes appear on platforms like GuruWalk, but there aren't always dates available. If you can't find one, you can see the town on your own: there are three free self-guided walking routes to pick from, depending on the time you have.
See the walking routesStay in the center: the Paseo de los Artesanos, the Paseo de los Gnomos and the National Park's Intendencia are all right there. If you have an afternoon, walk to the Costanera and Bahía Redonda, less than 2 km away, and stay for the sunset.
It depends on the area. To visit the Perito Moreno Glacier you pay the Park entry; walking the walkways costs nothing extra. Lago Roca is also inside the Park, but in a free-access area.
Not for the ones in town: you can walk there from the center. The Perito Moreno Glacier, Lago Roca and Cerro Cristal are more than 45 km away, so for those you'll need a car or a transfer.
There are itineraries that combine these walks: one for a free day in town and one for a tight budget.
See itineraries