As of late October 2024, there is a $45 000 Peso fee for foreigners wanting to hike Fitz Roy. We paid and it’s worth it my eyes but it is expensive for a park and I’ve been to a few in my life and never paid this much. I’m really annoyed and how unclear the signage was and how unwilling the two Rangers we dealt with were after trying to get a second day discount. So I wanted to save others some money.
One option to avoid the fees is arriving early. There are stories of people on Reddit saying you can avoid the fee if you arrive before 8 AM as no Rangers are in the parking lot at that time. I can’t confirm that but you might also be asked to show your ticket when you finish the hike.
Anyways, I found another way that will ensure you can skip the parking lot and the Rangers. Watch the vide below and I’ll show you!
Instead of presenting a tangled graph or cluttered screenshot, I thought it more straightforward to articulate this information would be with the video above. Over the weekend, we tackled the Fitz Roy hike, paying the required fee of $45000 Pesos on Saturday. As we ascended the trail, approximately a kilometer in, a sign directed us left toward Laguna Torre. Assuming this indicated an additional fee for Laguna Torre starting from the Fitz Roy entrance, we also paid for Laguna Torre the following day. Regrettably, we later discovered that a 50% discount on the second day was available—though our inquiries at the ticket booth were met with unyielding refusal from the staff, exacerbating our frustration and leading me to create this video.
The crux of my discontent lies in sparing others from this financial oversight. Feedback from locals reveals shared dissatisfaction with the arrangement. Here’s the breakdown: Fitz Roy requires a fee, whereas Laguna Torre remains free of charge. You may pay for the Fitz Roy hike exclusively or, alternatively, avoid the fee by parking strategically.
For those seeking a cost-free option, consider parking far from the ticketed Fitz Roy lot. For example, I retrieved two friends from this lower point along the trailhead on Sunday. On Google Maps, the true starting point of the hike is marked here—this aligns with my recommendation to begin your Fitz Roy adventure at the upper parking area where the trailhead resides.
From there, ascend the trail until you encounter a monument—a gnarled, dead tree marked with a sign. This serves as a clear waypoint. At this juncture, a path diverges downhill toward the Fitz Roy parking area. To avoid the ticketed entrance, turn left and climb the hill instead. This route seamlessly transitions into the Fitz Roy hike without passing a checkpoint.
It’s worth noting that ticketing operations are concentrated at the Fitz Roy parking area, so circumventing this point by foot or alternate parking is an effective strategy. From the monument to the alternative trailhead, the detour spans about one to 1.5 kilometers, requiring roughly 8 to 12 minutes to navigate downhill. Though slightly indirect, it spares you from unnecessary costs.
As for Laguna Torre, the hike is entirely free—something we only learned post-factum. We might have sidestepped these expenses on Sunday had we researched beforehand. Interestingly, the ticket booth staff seemed disinclined to guide visitors toward the free entry points, which complicates matters for the uninitiated.
I hope this guidance clarifies the logistics for future hikers. If further questions arise, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll provide assistance.