Chile

The land of extremes

By Marcela Torres , Matt Maynard & Andrea Mujica

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At over 4300km in length but only 170km wide, Chile is sandwiched between the lofty Andes and the Pacific Ocean. With a climate that ranges from the driest deserts to some of the most imposing glaciers in the world, its unique biosphere makes it an ideal home for unusual wildlife and hundreds of species of flowers. From trekking through the salt flats of San Pedro de Atacama to launching off the ski slopes of Santiago, Chile’s diverse landscape has the potential to offer a year of seasons within a single day.

Hidden gems in Chile

Jeinimeni National Reserve

Jeinimeni National Reserve day hike

Marcela Torres

Experience

I think Jeinimeni National Reserve in Chile Chico, Patagonia might just be Patagonia’s best-kept secret. This national reserve has been around for years but only now has popped up on the radar thanks to the newly-formed Patagonia National Park that brings Lago Cochrane National Reserve, Patagonia Park and this reserve together as one giant natural wonderland. The park has a 7.4km trail that takes roughly four hours to complete. You'll see the beautiful milky turquoise lake and walk through valleys, dense forests and even see ancient paintings from the nomadic Tehuelche people who travelled between Argentina and Chile 14,000 years ago.

Atacama Desert

Ojos del Salado trek

Marcela Torres

Experience

Ojos del Salado is the world's highest active volcano and it straddles the border between Argentina and northern Chile. The full trek to the summit can take between seven to 20 days and is considered an intermediate hike but gets tricky in the last 30 metres as you climb the summit on fixed ropes. The main reason people fail to reach the peak is through not acclimatising properly. Starting from the town of Copiapo, expeditions will typically spend nights at four shelters on the way to the summit, including the shimmering turquoise lake of Laguna Verde (4342m), before ascending to Refugio Claudio Lucero (4540m), Refugio Atacama (5100m) and Refugio Tejos (5833m). The mountain can be climbed between December and March. During November and December, wind speeds can be a challenge while hiking. The peak season runs between late December and March and is your best chance to get good weather, but you’ll meet plenty of people who are also climbing to the summit. Be aware that climbers will need permission from Chile’s Direccion de Fronteras y Limites (DIFROL) to climb. You can get authorisation on their website.

Mapu Lahual Indigenous Parks

The Pacific Coast Trek

Caitlin McNamara

Experience

I've been living, working and hiking in Chile since 2015, and while there's no doubt that Torres del Paine is one of the crown jewels of South America, you'd be hard-pressed to call it a hidden gem. If you're looking for a Chile hiking experience without the blockbuster appeal (and crowds) I'd vote for the epic Pacific Coast Trek which has been developed by Amity Tours in the Mapu Lahual Indigenous Park network. This is a fabulous option for experienced hikers. You can hike along pristine coastal beaches and ancient Patagonian temperate rainforests and share in the ancestral knowledge from some of Chile’s most important indigenous communities.

Torres del Paine National Park

French Valley and Lake Pehoe day hike

Erin Walton

Experience

Torres del Paine’s splendid French Valley (Valle del Francés) is a naturally-formed amphitheatre encircled by sheer cliffs, hanging glaciers and dramatic rock formations. The valley rewards hikers for their efforts with a 360-degree view of the park where the elements and scenery play off each other as if competing for your attention. As you stand surrounded by the valley, the peaks, cliffs and glaciers will make you feel humble and small, and yet energised and intimately connected to your surroundings. To reach French Valley you’ll first take a catamaran journey across Pehoé Lake, followed by a 1.5 hour hike up glacial moraines towards the valley’s entry point. Some operators also include an easy detour to the Salto Grande waterfalls on the way. Once in the valley you’ll be bowled over by the 360 degree view that envelopes you as you venture further into the valley until you’re fully encircled. The valley’s geology amplifies the groan and roar of glacial calving as ice breaks off the constantly flowing French Glacier. You’ll get stunning views of the park’s most impressive formations: the Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and Fortaleza (Fortress), plus views of Paine Grande, the highest mountain in Torres del Paine at 2,884m (9,462ft). The lakes of Torres del Paine get their otherworldly, milky-blue hues from particles of "rock flour”, caused by the steady grinding of rock and ice under the region’s vast glaciers and ice sheets. Like most of Torres del Paine’s main sights, the French Valley is best accessed during the warmer months. As it gets cold, severe weather can come without warning and completely blanket the views of the valley.

Torres del Paine National Park

Grey Lake and Glacier Grey day hike

Erin Walton

Experience

Seen from afar or studied up close, the exquisite Glacier Grey is a true Torres del Paine highlight. Take in the ice monolith from its lookout point, then come up close and personal on a boat trip that brings you within metres of the intricate puzzle of blue, white, glass and turquoise ice. Most day hikes follow a trail that leads to a lookout point that affords stunning views of the glacier and offers a sense of its immense size. Trips may or may not complete the entire walk, as the trail involves several ascents and descents that not everyone will be prepared for. Check with your operator. Afterwards you’ll board a small boat on Lake Grey to sail among the icebergs right up to the glacier’s ice wall. From up close you’ll see countless hues of blue and impossibly complex ice structures. If you’re lucky you’ll see a glacial calving, where ice breaks off from the constantly moving glacier. As with the rest of Patagonia, the weather here is changeable and boat trips may sometimes be cancelled depending on conditions. Trips with fewer than the minimum 10 passengers may also be called off. Check with your operator on their contingency plans.

Torres del Paine National Park

Mirador Los Cuernos and Salto Grande

Erin Walton

Experience

I think this short hike packs more of a punch than any other short walk in Torres del Paine National Park, and is a must whether or not you’re doing either the W or the Circuit. This is the view of the famous ‘horns’ of Paine, with a mighty waterfall thrown in for good measure. The trail follows the northern shore of Lake Nordenskjöld between two accompanying and juxtaposing sights. On the one hand, the multi-shaded drama of the Cuernos (horns), jutting up into the sky; and on the other, the arresting blue of the lake. This fairly flat hike holds a lot of appeal as it fringes Lake Nordenskjöld with its startling shades of blue. If you’re looking for one of the best photo ops of Torres del Paine’s iconic peaks, look no further. This hike has it. Paso Los Cuernos hiking route holds some of the best views of the iconic Los Cuernos. The picturesque cuernos are made of black slate sitting atop a grey granite base. This layered combination of colours, along with their twisted horn shape, win them their fame. It’s common for hikers to complete this trek between Refugio Los Cuernos and one of the park’s hotels. It’s also part of the W and Paine Circuit trails, so you’ll see regular traffic during spring and summer.

Torres del Paine National Park

Mirador Las Torres day hike

Rudolf Abraham

Experience

If you don’t have time for the W or the Circuit but want a glimpse of that amazing view of the granite towers which give the area its name at dawn, this one might be for you. However it’s a long ascent, and frankly if you’re going to Torres del Paine National Park and hiking this which forms part of the W anyway, I think it would be an enormous shame not to do the whole thing!

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine W trek

Rudolf Abraham

Experience

Torres del Paine is Chile's big-hitter, pulling more trekkers than the rest of the country combined. The views are unparalleled, trekking infrastructure and services are world-class, the only downside is the park’s seemingly unlimited appeal which means you’ll be sharing the views with plenty of other hikers. This shorter version of the Full Circuit includes many – but definitely not all – of its highlights, and is the busiest section of the national park. Despite preferring the Circuit because of the wonderfully remote northern half of the trail, the W is still an incredible hike, and given the chance I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

North Coast Trail day hike

HorizonGuides

Experience

A speck of land cast some 3,500km from the mainland, the story of the rise and fall of the Rapa Nui civilisation is fascinating and tragic in equal measures. Best known for its enigmatic statues (Moai) and stunning beaches, Easter Island is perfectly scaled for hiking. North Coast Trail is a spectacular but challenging day hike along the remote and rugged northern coast of Rapa Nui. The route begins at the Tahai Ceremonial Complex, which is within walking distance from Hanga Roa, the island's only town. Tahai hosts three significant ahu, or ceremonial platforms, featuring restored moai statues—a breathtaking sight at sunrise or sunset. From Tahai, the trail takes you along the coast, passing some important archaeological sites including Ahu Tepeu and Ahu Akivi, the latter of which is unique for its seven inward-facing moai. Further along the path, you'll encounter Puna Pau, a small crater that served as the source for the red scoria stone used to carve the moai's topknots, or pukaos. The hike also provides the chance to see other intriguing sights, such as fallen moai, petroglyphs, and caves. You'll walk through varying landscapes, from rugged coastline to rolling pastures, occasionally encountering wild horses. The final stretch of the hike brings you to the beautiful Anakena Beach, one of only two sandy beaches on the island. Anakena is also home to the Nau Nau ceremonial platform, with some of the best-preserved moai on the island. From here you’ll take a road transfer back to Hanga Roa – this must be pre-arranged in advance!

Puerto Williams

Dientes de Navarino trek

HorizonGuides

Experience

The Dientes de Navarino trek is one of the southernmost treks in the world, departing from the town of Puerto Williams on Navarino Island in Chilean Tierra del Fuego. It's renowned for its rugged beauty, remoteness, and the spectacular, tooth-like peaks that give the trail its name - "Dientes" means "teeth" in Spanish. The hike is a circular route that takes you through untouched Magellanic forests, over mountain passes, past beautiful lakes, and gives you stunning panoramic views of the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. The trek involves multiple steep ascents and descents, and the trail often involves hiking over rocky, uneven terrain. Additionally, the region's weather can be extreme and change rapidly, with strong winds, rain, and even snow possible, even in the summer months.

Patagonia National Park

Lagunas Altas Loop

HorizonGuides

Experience

The trail is approximately 21 kilometres long and takes about 8-10 hours to complete, making it a challenging but achievable day hike for those with good physical fitness. If you prefer a slower pace or wish to fully enjoy the experience, you can turn it into an overnight trek as there's a designated camping area along the route. The Lagunas Altas Loop is so named because it takes you past several high-altitude lagoons, offering beautiful views and opportunities to observe local wildlife. It's a moderate-to-difficult hike with some steep ascents and descents, but the rewards are incredible panoramic views of the park, including vistas of the Chacabuco Valley and the distant Jeinimeni and Tamango ranges. The trail starts and ends at the park's visitor centre, and along the way, you'll traverse through lenga forests, alpine meadows, and rocky landscapes. One of the highlights is the view of the Avilés River, which carved the stunningly beautiful Avilés Valley.

Puerto Río Tranquilo

Exploradores Glacier day hike

HorizonGuides

Experience

The Exploradores Glacier day hike is a fantastic experience if you're in the Aysén region of Chilean Patagonia. The trail is located in the vicinity of Puerto Río Tranquilo, a small town known primarily for its proximity to the stunning Marble Caves. However, the opportunity to get up close to a glacier makes the Exploradores Valley a noteworthy destination in its own right. This trail leads you to the viewpoint of the Northern Ice Field and the Exploradores Glacier, a part of the massive Patagonian Ice Fields. The trek starts off easy, meandering through a forest, but gets progressively more difficult as it ascends through moraines and rock fields. The last section requires walking on the glacier itself, which demands special gear like crampons, and in some cases, ropes and ice axes. From the viewpoint, the sight of the Exploradores Glacier is a stunning spectacle, with its immense wall of ice surrounded by sharp peaks. On a clear day, you may also be able to spot Mount San Valentín, the tallest peak in Patagonia.

Ojos del Salado trek

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Mirador Las Torres day hike

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Torres del Paine W trek

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Torres del Paine Full Circuit

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View all 19 Chile experiences

Chile

The land of extremes