Argentina offers some truly marvellous hiking possibilities, and it is still possible to find areas where you can trek for days without seeing a soul. Trail quality varies considerably, but many are difficult to follow, so always get hold of the best map available and ask for information as you go. Most of the best treks are found in the national parks - especially the ones in Patagonia - but you can often find lesser-known but equally superb options in the lands bordering the parks. Most people head for the savage granite spires of the Fitz Roy region around El Chaltén, an area whose fame has spread so rapidly over the last ten years, that it now holds a similar status to Chile's renowned Torres del Paine, not far away. Tourist pressures are starting to tell, however, at least in the high season (late-Dec to Feb), when campsites are packed and can become strewn with litter. The other principal trekking destination is the mountainous area of Nahuel Huapi National Park which lies to the south of Bariloche, centring on the Cerro Catedral massif and Cerro Tronador. This area has the best infrastructure, with a network of generally well-marked trails and mountain refuges. Though some trails become very busy in summer, there are plenty of them and you will always be able to find some less well-trodden ones. In the north of the country, some of the best trekking can be found in Jujuy Province , especially in Calilegua, where the habitat ranges from subtropical and cloudforest to bald, mountain landscape. Salta Province also offers a good variety of high mountain valley and cloudforest trails. You should always be well prepared for your trips, even for half-day hikes. Good quality, water-and windproof clothing is vital for hiking in Patagonia and all other mountain areas: temperatures plummet at night and often with little warning during the day, and you put yourself at risk of exposure or hypothermia, which can set in fast, especially if you get soaked and the wind is up. Keep spare dry layers of clothing and socks in a plastic bag in your pack. Boots should provide firm ankle support and have the toughest soles possible (Vibram soles are recommended), as many types wear out with alarming rapidity on the stony trails. Gore-Tex boots are only waterproof to a degree: they will not stay dry when you have to cross peaty swampland. A balaclava is sometimes more useful than a woollen hat. Make sure that your tent is properly waterproofed and that it can cope with high winds (especially if you're trekking in Patagonia). You'll need a minimum of a three-season sleeping bag, to be used in conjunction with a solid or semi-inflatable foam mattress (essential as the ground will otherwise suck out all your body heat). Also bring high-factor sunblock and lipsalve, plus good sunglasses and headgear to cope with the fierce UV rays. Park authorities often require you to carry a stove for cooking. The Camping Gaz models that run on butane cylinders (refills are fairly widely available in ferretería hardware shops) are not so useful in exposed areas, where you're better off with a high-pressure petrol stove such as an MSR, although these are liable to clog with impurities in the fuel, so filter it first. Telescopic hiking poles save your knees from a lot of strain and are useful for balance. Miner-style head torches are preferable to regular hand-held ones, and gaffer tape makes an excellent all-purpose emergency repair tool. Carry a first-aid kit and a compass , and know how to use both, especially for the more isolated treks. And always carry plenty of water - aim to have at least two litres on you at all times. Pump-action water filters can be very handy, as you can thus avoid the hassle of having to boil suspect water. Note also that, in the national parks, especially on the less-travelled and overnight routes, you should inform the park ranger of your plans , not forgetting to report your safe arrival at your destination - the ranger ( guardaparque ) will send a search party out for you if you do not arrive. You'd be advised to buy all your camping equipment before you leave home: quality gear is expensive and hard to come by in Argentina, and there are still relatively few places that rent decent equipment, even in some of the key trekking areas