Lago del Desierto is 37 kilometers north from the town of El Chalten. You get there by taking the Provincial Route 41, which runs along the Rio de las Vueltas valley. After 4km from the start ( town) you can stop to visit Chorrillo del Salto waterfall that is within the Los Glaciares National Park.
Following, and after some 15 km you will find a Private Natural Reserve of public access offering a complete system of trekking trails to visit ( entrance fee charged) , and a little further on, Laguna Condor . You’ll cross several glacier rivers on the way, among which we can mention the Electrico River and the Rio Toro.
During the trip along the Provincial Natural Reserve Lago del Desierto you can see the different faces of Cerro Fitz Roy. The landscape gradually becomes greener as it reaches the protected área and the back of the valley, vegetation becomes more lush. Visitors will find services along the route.
The Lake, of narrow shape , is surrounded by native forest of beech and ñires between mountains slopes. The total north-south length is of 12 kilometers and has aproximatly 1 kilometer wide. In the well covered forest of the área you can find , among other species: beech, coihues and ñires. Also several shrubs, ferns, mosses and orchids thrive in the humid microclimate of the forest.From here begins a short hike that takes you to the Huemul glacier, taking only 1 hour to get to the front (an entrance fee is charged)
Other options are sport fishing and hiking to Punta Norte ( 12 kms) .
