Lago del Desierto is about 37 km north of El Chaltén on RP 41, a gravel road following the Río de las Vueltas. It's a provincial reserve, not part of Los Glaciares National Park.
Things to do
- Huemul Glacier: from Punta Sur a signposted trail climbs through lenga forest to the lagoon at the foot of the glacier, in under an hour according to the El Chaltén portal. It's on private land and there's a separate fee; check before you travel at Portal El Chaltén – Glaciar Huemul (Lago del Desierto).
- Boat trips on the lake from Punta Sur, with views of hanging glaciers. Operators and schedules change by season.
- View of the north face of Fitz Roy.
Crossing to Chile
At Punta Norte there's a seasonal border crossing where you cross on foot or by bike towards Candelario Mancilla and Villa O'Higgins. Operators list it as open from 1 November to 31 March and require a valid passport. Requirements and status: check before you travel at Receptivo Chaltén – Cruce internacional por Lago del Desierto and on the official website for border crossings to Chile.
Getting there
By car, taxi or transfer from El Chaltén (about an hour on gravel). There's no fuel along the way.
