Torres del Paine National Park
Tucked away in the southernmost corner of Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place.
The national park merits its reputation as a world-renowned hiking destination. It brims with classic routes with postcard vistas and lesser-known trails for solitude seekers. The hiking here ranges from easy to challenging, from short day hikes to long circuits of up to ten days.
There are many ways to experience Torres del Paine. Shoestring-budget backpackers rough it at campsites or in simple dorm-style refugios, packing in all their own food and gear. Mid-range travellers seek the convenience of a guided and fully supported adventure, as well as the company of a small group. Luxury travellers indulge in upscale resorts that offer private, tailored excursions into nature. There’s really something for everyone in the park.
Hidden gems in Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park
French Valley and Lake Pehoe day hike
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.
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Torres del Paine National Park
Grey Lake and Glacier Grey day hike
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.
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Torres del Paine National Park
Mirador Los Cuernos and Salto Grande
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.
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Torres del Paine National Park
Mirador Las Torres day hike
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!
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Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine W trek
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.
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Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine Full Circuit
Despite the huge number of visitors, and Chile’s insistence on building a large number of lodges as well as luxury hotels within the national park, I still consider this one of the most breathtakingly beautiful hikes on the planet. If your hiking boots demand more, this is the trek for you. You’ll spend days with rivers, glaciers, mountains, and take in wild, rugged views which stretch out as far as you can see. The Full Circuit makes its way around the entire Paine Massif, taking in the same highlights as the W Trek – plus so much more.
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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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Torres del Paine National Park itineraries
Antarctica Cruise from Chile
19-day cruise from Chile to Antarctica
19 days
Classic Chile
Otherworldy scenery, vineyards and lively Santiago
14 days From $8,100 pp
The best Torres del Paine Full Circuit
Taking on all Torres del Paine has to offer
7 – 10 daysTorres del Paine National Park travel companies
South America,
Africa,
Europe
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The Adventure People
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