Walking in Chile and Argentina

This is the first in a series of entries I´m writing to describe the walks we´ve done in Chile and Argentina. I´m going to try and provide information that would be helpful for anyone planning a walking trip here, as we didn´t succeed in finding much information online before we came...

Sources of information

• "Trekking in the Patagonian Andes", Lonely Planet, 3rd Edition. This includes route desriptions for many of the walks we´ve done.


• "Chile & Argentina", The Bradt Trekking Guide, 5th Edition. This includes some route descriptions, and much insipiration and information that is of use for planning walks.


• The Chilean IGM. Buy topographic maps online, or from their shop in Santiago. They deliver overseas, and within chile using Lan Courier - it is possible to have maps delivered to a Lan Courier office for pickup (this is how we bought most of ours). Lan Courier office addresses are available on their website. Delivery within Chile seems to take around a week.


• Condor Explorer. This is an excellent outdoor shop in Coyhaique that stocks and sells IGM maps for popular walking regions along the Carretas Austral and a very useful selection of hiking and climbing gear. They speak excellent english and are will order in IGM maps on request.

Some general points

• The Chilean IGM are the only publisher of topographic maps for most areas of Chile. It is almost impossible to find shops that stock their maps, although I have noted the shops I´ve found that do stock them above.


• Topographic maps by other publishers are available for popular walking areas (eg. Mt Fitz Roy). The Zagier and Urrity map we have of Mt Fitz Roy is unsuitable for serious navigation.

Walk descriptions

• Partial Circuit of Cerra Castillo


• Lago Jeinmeni to Cochrane via Paso Leones and Reserva Tomango