Hiking in Chile

• Distance: Approx. 75 miles (120 km)
• Duration: Eight to ten days
• Start/end point: Amarga Lagoon ranger station
• Difficulty: Strenuous

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.

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.

• Distance: 47 miles (75 km)
• Trek duration: Four to five days
• Start / end point: Park entrance
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

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.

• Distance: 51 km
• Duration: Three to four days
• Start and end point: Villa Cerro Castillo
• Difficulty: Moderate-strenuous

Located in the heart of Aysen Patagonia, this jagged mountain peak is getting more attention from hikers and is said to be the "next Torres del Paine" just without the crowds.

There are two main hiking routes in Cerro Castillo, a single day hike to the meltwater lake of Laguna Castillo, or the Cerro Castillo Circuit (aka Cerro Castillo Traverse), a roughly 50km trek that takes around three to four days of backpacking.

Both routes offer constant views of Cerro Castillo and its glaciers. There are panoramic views of the Turbio River and the Ibáñez River and you can even spot huemules, a native deer-like animal hidden in the trees along the path. Whichever option you choose, it’s worth going with a guide.

The full route is moderate to challenging, with some steep ascents and descents, and it is often compared to the more famous W-trek in Torres del Paine National Park, but with fewer crowds.

The trail takes you through diverse landscapes, including old-growth forests, rivers, glacial lakes, and vast moraines. One of the main highlights is the view of Cerro Castillo's glaciated peak, particularly stunning from the vantage point of the glacial lake at the base of the mountain.

The trek involves a combination of camping and hiking, with designated campsites along the route. These campsites are basic and do not offer amenities like food or gear rental, so hikers need to be fully self-sufficient and carry all necessary equipment and supplies.

The trail is relatively well-marked, but it's still recommended to carry a map and compass (and know how to use them). Always register with park authorities before starting the trek, and let someone know your plans.

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.

• Distance: Approx. 32 miles (52 km)
• Duration: Five to seven days
• Start and end point: Vizcachas Trailhead, Parque Tantauco
• Difficulty: Moderate

One of my favourite places to hike in Chile, Chiloé Island boasts spectacular national parks, wild coastlines and thick forests. Parque Tantauco, a large private nature reserve at the island's far southern tip, is a walkers' paradise. Its 118,000 hectares are home to rich biodiversity and significant conservation areas, which include unique ecosystems of cold rainforests, peat bogs, and a variety of endemic and threatened species.

The Sendero Transversal, or Transversal Trail runs from the northern sector of the park (Renihue) to the southernmost part (Inío).

The trail traverses dense forests to stunning coastline. Along the way, there are numerous camping areas and shelters. These amenities are basic, and you'll need to carry all your necessary supplies, including food and camping gear.

• Distance: Approx. seven miles (11 km)
• Duration: Five hours
• Start and end point: Conguillío National Park entrance
• Difficulty: Mild

The Sendero Sierra Nevada is a popular day hike within Conguillío National Park and is considered one of Chile’s most beautiful hikes.

With a bit of luck, you might spot species such as the Magellanic Woodpecker or even the elusive Pudu, the smallest deer in the world.

The main highlight of the hike, however, is the panorama from the Sierra Nevada Lookout: breathtaking views of the park, including the Llaima Volcano, Lake Conguillío, and the surrounding araucaria forest.

• Distance: Approximately 7 miles (11 km) round trip
• Duration: Six hours
• Start and end point: Puerto Río Tranquilo
• Difficulty: Mild

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.

• Distance: Approx. 11 miles (18 km)
• Duration: Six to seven hours
• Start and end point: Tahai to Anakena beach
• Difficulty: Mild

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!

• Distance: Approx. 14 km
• Duration: Five to six hours
• Start and end point: Park entrance
• Difficulty: Moderate

Huerquehue National Park is a true hiker’s paradise. Located just 35km from Pucon, this national park is famed for its ancient araucaria trees. The oldest tree is 1,800 years old and their seeds are a staple food in the diet of indigenous mapuche tribes.

Within the park, there are two main trails for visitors to enjoy. The easier of the two trails is the Los Lagos Circuit, which explores the parks crystal clear lakes and lagoons. This route is perfect for beginner to intermediate hikers and the total time to explore the circuit’s five deep-blue lagoons is between four to five hours.

If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, the San Sebastian trail might be better suited. This trail takes you through a magical araucaria forest until you reach Cerro San Sebastian for a 360-view of the entire region, including nine volcanoes. The total hiking time is five to six hours with 1200m of uphill climbing. The last hour is probably the most difficult part of the trail, involving some scrambling to reach the top. Follow the orange painted rocks that will lead you to the summit — and enjoy the views.

• Distance: Approx. three miles (4.8 km) round trip
• Duration: Two to three hours
• Start and end point: Chaiten Volcano trailhead
• Difficulty: Mild

This park to the far north of Chilean Patagonia was named in honour of Douglas Tompkins, the visionary entrepreneur who was a driving force for conservation across Patagonia. Ragged mountains give way through forests of Alerce trees towards what must be one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines.

The Volcán Chaitén trail here is an absolutely stunning day hike. The Volcán Chaitén is a volcano situated within the boundaries of the park, and it famously erupted in 2008 after being dormant for over 9,000 years. The eruption dramatically reshaped the surrounding landscape and the hike gives you a firsthand look at nature's powerful processes.

The trail to the volcano's rim generally takes about two to three hours to complete depending on your pace. It's a steep ascent, often over rough volcanic terrain, so it can be challenging, but the view from the top is worth every bit of effort.

From the top, you can see the resurgent lava dome in the centre of the crater, an impressive testament to the volcano's most recent eruption. There are also panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and forests, some still showing the effects of the 2008 eruption.

• Distance: Approx. 28 miles (45 km)
• Duration: Six days
• Start and end point: Puerto Williams
• Difficulty: Strenuous

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.

• Distance: Approx. 13 miles (21 km)
• Duration: Eight to ten hours
• Start and end point: Valle Avilés
• Difficulty: Moderate

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.

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.

• Distance: 11 miles (17 km)
• Duration: Seven to ten hours
• Start/end point: Park entrance or Puerto Natales
• Difficulty: Moderate

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!