When you visit El Chaltén, you think of sheer granite spires and rock climbing. El Chaltén, however, is also a great destination for trail running. There are many runs and treks that take you to stunning lakes, but as far as climbing peaks goes, Loma del Pliegue is the top non-technical trail in the area. The first few miles are on cruiser singletrack, weaving up through the forest. Then, once you hit treeline, you meander through some boulder fields until you hit the turnoff to go up the peak. There is a social path leading to the summit, but pick the route of least resistance as you scramble up. Nothing technical, but at times it can be loose and sandy. Relish in the views of Fitz Roy and Cerro Huemul before turning around, opening up the legs, and cruising back to the visitor center. Pay in mind that there are a lot of trekkers on this route, so probably best to run early in the am or later in the pm. Additionally, there are competitive Strava segments for this peak so to claim the FKT, you must beat those times.
