Torres del Paine Hiking Trails

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Torres del Paine Hiking Trails / Park Entrances / Accommodation and Hiking / El "Circuito" / Catamaran Across Pehoe / The "W" / Other Treks

 NOTE: HIKING TIMES PUBLISHED ARE APPROXIMATE WE STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU CONFIRM TIMES BETWEEN SHELTERS PRIOR TO SETTING OUT AS WEATHER IN THE PARK CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT.

Introduction

Torres de Paine is all about experiencing life by experiencing nature in its purest form and getting out into the "heart" of the park. In reality our company caters for those who wish to experience Torres del Paine but have a comfortable bed to return to each night, however, visitors can also mix their itineraries to include stays at the more simple "refugios" if they wish to venture out on some of the longer hikes.

If you are a real outdoors type and wish to camp, we can help you with transport and accommodation in Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas and El Calafate, but the camping will be entirely down to you.

Below is information on the principal places of interest in the park followed by details of the principal hiking routes and some suggested itinerary combinations.

Some trails will require a reasonable level of fitness, time and outdoor equipment, others can be walked at a more leisurely pace and take only for a few hours.

Basic Information

There are around 250 km of trails ranging from a ten day excursions to a few hours walk from an accommodation base.
Visitors must keep to paths as cross-country walking is not permitted. Some paths are badly marked and a wrong turn can lead to being lost, have you facing a sudden vertical drop or end up on the surface of a glacier! Note that rats are in many of the camp sites and food should therefore be put away. Bad weather blows off the Campo de Hielo Sur without warning. Weather, in general can change within minutes. Take extra clothes and the right clothes for changeable weather conditions whatever time of the year.

There are three road entrances to Torres de Paine via the main route from Puerto Natales.

1. Laguna Amarga
2. Lago Sarmiento
3. Laguna Azul

Entering the Park
Visitors need to register at the park entrance and pay to enter the cost is approximately USD14 per person.
The park is administered by CONAF (Corporacion Nacional Forestal) and income is distributed throughout the organisation.

Entering is from the East. Upon approaching the park there will be a fork in the road with one option to go to Laguna Amarga and the other to Portero Sarmiento and en route to Laguna Amarga there is also an option to continue on to the Laguna Azul entrance. Laguna Amarga is located vertically north from Portero Sarmiento, separated by a trail of a few kms., and Laguna Azul is further north from Laguna Amarga.

Laguna Amarga
Is one of the main entrances to the park and where the Refugio Laguna Amarga is also located. It is also not too far from Hosteria Las
Torres, which is about 7 kms away.

Portero Sarmiento
Is the other more commonly used entrance.

CONAF Administration Centre
This is located between the Explora hotel and Lago Grey, used as the end of the line for bus services from Puerto Natales. This admin centre is also Conaf's Environmental information centre (Corporación Nacional Forestal) showing the geology, flora and fauna of the area

Refugio Lago Pehoe
Located on the NW side of Lago Pehoe providing access to two of the most popular hikes in the park - "El Circuito" and the "W".

Las Torres Accommodation Zone (Hosteria, Refugio and Camping)
Also a popular base from which to do the two hikes mentioned above.

Main Spectacles
Everywhere in the park is awesome in terms of scenery, however, within this "Aladdin's cave" of nature there are some special sights that will stand out and deserve a mention below:

Accessible by vehicle and a simple walk:

• The Salto Grande (big and powerful waterfall), accessed from near Refugio Pudeto (5 min walk up hill from car parking area) and the Pehoe Guarderia on the eastern side of Lago Pehoe.
• Lago Nordenskjold and the Paine Massif - a short walk up hill from the Salto Grande.

By boat from Hosteria Lago Grey:

• Grey Glacier. A spectacular sight. The boat departs twice a day at 09:00hrs and 15:00hrs but is dependent on weather conditions.

Trekking the "W" from the Las Torres accommodation zone:

• When attempting to do part or all of the "W" from the Las Torres zone the "mirador" (4 hr walk from Las Torres) offers a jaw-dropping view of the vertical towers that give the park its name.
• The side and then face of the Grey Glacier by boat from Hosteria Lago Grey or from the path when doing the "circuito" trek.
• Valle Frances near Campamento Britanico for a view of the Cuernos del Paine when doing the "W" trek.

Trekking the "Circuito":

• Refugio Dickson, when doing the "circuito" trek, there is a breathtaking view of mountains in the distance.

From Guarderia Grey:

• The Pingo and Tyndall Valleys. From Guarderia Grey at the south end of the lake (not to be confused with Refugio Grey at the north end), a trail heads up the Rio Pingo Valley, 8 hrs to Lago Pingo. This is probably the least-visited sector of the park and one of its most spectacular, with the Glacier Zapata calving directly into the lake.

Accommodation and Hiking

Before you arrive at Torres del Paine you will need to figure out how you wish to enjoy your visit:
1. Are you the active, fit, outdoor type who wishes to hike a lot and camp in between points and use public transport?
2. Are you an outdoor type who wishes to do some exploring on foot but wants some kind of comfort at night and will rent a car to get around?
3. Are you just wishing to see the place but retreat to the comfort of a decent hotel/hosteria at night and will rent a car to get around?

Camping
There are many camp sites along the trekking routes. You just need to bring your outdoor gear and a tent. Public buses will get you from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales and Puerto Natales into the park as well as around some parts of the park. We can only really help you with public bus reservations. See: Patagonian Transport Services.

Refugios
Refugios placed at strategic points along hiking trails and are decent, warm but simply furnished and accommodation is often barrack-style with shared bathrooms. We can help you with reservations at refugios as they have to be booked and prepaid in advance to be sure of getting a room. See: Refugios.

Hosterias
These are basically hotels with good facilities, private bathrooms and located in different areas in the park from which you can explore on foot along some of the hiking trails and drive your rent a car to other areas within the park. We can help you with all aspects of this. See: Hosteria Lago Grey / Hosteria Mirador del Payne / Hosteria Pehoe / Hosteria Rio Serrano / Cabanas Paine / Hosteria Las Torres

Hotels
The is only one. It is called the Explora Salto Chico and offers top notch accommodation, great facilities, guides, excursions and all food and transfers in an all inclusive package. We can help you secure reservations here. See: Explora Salto Chico

All Inclusive Packages
We can also help with special all inclusive packages that include accommodation at the hosterias in the park as well as car rental and stays at Puerto Natales. See: 3 nights - 4 days : 4 nights - 5 days : 5 nights - 6 days : 6 nights - 7 days : 7 nights - 8 days

Most Popular Hikes

El CircuitoTrek (allow round 6 days or longer)

Not for lone walkers and camping equipment as well as a good level of fitness is required even though it is mostly flat there is a 600m climb up John Gardner pass and if you go up some of the valleys en route they can also be steep.

This classic Torres del Paine trek will take you around the back part of the Torres del Paine central massif in a large "U", passing through wild, open country that lies between the Torres (meaning towers) and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Most people tend to tackle the route in a clockwise direction starting at Laguna Amarga or Hosteria Las Torres and ending at Refugio Pehoe, however it can just as easily be done by starting at Refugio Pehoe and ending at Laguna Amarga or Hosteria Las Torres.

Route with estimated walking time in brackets (APPROXIMATE TIMES ONLY)

• Refugio Laguna Amarga to Campamento Seron (7 hrs)
  OR from the Las Torres area to Campamento Seron (4 hrs)
• Campamento Seron to Campamento Coiron (3 hrs)
• Campamento Coiron to Refugio Dickson (3hrs)
• Refugio Dickson to Los Perros (Refugio and Campamento) (4 hrs)
• Los Perros to Campamento Paso (4 hrs)
• Campamento Paso to Campamento Los Guardas (4 hrs)
• Campamento Guardas to Lago Grey (Refugio and Campamento) (2 hrs)
• Lago Grey to Pehoe (Refugio and Campamento) (3 hrs)
• Pehoe to Campamento Italiano (2 hrs 30 mins)
• Campamento Italiano to Campamento Britanico (2 hrs)
• Campamento Italiano to Los Cuernos (Refugio and Campamento) (2 hrs)
• Los Cuernos (Refugio and Campamento)  to Las Torres (Hosteria, Refugio & Campamento) (7 hrs)

SUGGESTED ITINERARY OPTION SLEEPING UNDER A SOLID ROOF(can easily be done in reverse)

Day 1: Arrive at the Las Torres zone. Night at Hosteria Las Torres, refugio Las Torres.
Day 2: Hike up the "Valle Ascencio", which is also one part of the "W" trek.
Return hike will take about 8 hrs. Night at Hosteria Las Torres, refugio Las Torres.
Day 3: Hike to Refugio Dickson (10hrs in good weather). Night at Refugio
Dickson.
Day 4: Hike to Camping Los Perros (4hrs). Night at Camping Los Perros.
Day 5: Hike to Refugio Grey (10hrs). Night at Refugio Grey.
Day 6: Hike to Refugio Pehoe (3-4hrs). Night Refugio Pehoe.
Day 7: Take catamaran across Lago Pehoe to interior park road.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY OPTION SLEEPING UNDER CANVASS (i.e. camping) (can easily be done in reverse)

Day 1: Arrive at the Las Torres zone. Night at Hosteria Las Torres, refugio Las Torres or camping Las Torres.
Day 2: Hike up the "Valle Ascencio", which is also one part of the "W" trek. Up will take about 4 hrs, back also 4 hrs. Night at Hosteria Las Torres, refugio Las Torres or camping.
Day 3: Hike to Campamento Seron (4 hrs) and maybe on to Campamento Coiron (3hrs).
Day 4: Hike to Refugio and campamento Dickson (3hrs from Coiron).
Day 5: Hike to campamento Los Perros (no longer a refugio here)(4hrs)
Day 6: Hike to Refugio and campamento Grey (10hrs)
Day 7: Hike to Refugio Pehoe (3-4hrs). Night Refugio Pehoe.
Day 8: Take catamaran across Lago Pehoe to interior park road.

Note: Refugio Laguna Amarga to Refugio Dickson is 30 kms and will take 11 hrs to walk even in good weather.

Catamaran across Lago Pehoe
For those wishing to cross Lago Pehoe from Refugio Pehoe, or get to Refugio Pehoe from the main interior park road, there is a catamaran service.
The launch crosses Lago Pehoe from Refugio Pudeto, close to the Guaderia Lago Pehoe. While waiting for the boat you just have enough time to walk to Salto Grande and back - it is close and offers a picturesque view - but buy the ticket for the boat first. The trip takes less than an hour.
Cost as of July 2004 was approximately USD15 ONE WAY per person with one bag. Extra bags may cost more.

Departure Times 
October & April (LOW SEASON)
From Pudeto 12:00 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 12:30 hrs 

November & March 16 to 30 (MID SEASON)
From Pudeto 12:00 hrs
From Pudeto 18:00 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 12:30 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 18:30 hrs 

December to 15 March HIGH SEASON
From Pudeto 09:30 hrs
From Pudeto 12:00 hrs
From Pudeto 18:00 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 10:00 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 12:30 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 18:30 hrs

25 December and 01 January NO trips.

Brief Route Description
You can either start at the Laguna Amarga park entrance (most people do) and walk 7 kms (2 hrs 30 mins) to Hosteria Las Torres or begin at the Hosteria Las Torres accommodation zone (more sensible!).

Refugio Laguna Amarga to Campamento Seron (7 hrs)
* Much better: Hosteria Las Torres zone to Campamento Seron (4 hrs)

From Hosteria Las Torres the trail route follows the western side of the Rio Paine, passing over high ground to the east of the Torres del Paine Massif before reaching the Campamento Seron after 4 to 5 hrs walking. 

Campamento Seron to Campamento Coiron (3 hrs)

An hour or so after leaving Campamento Seron the trail will go west, through lush valley pastures, much of which may be boggy and shaded, before arriving at Campamento Coiron, set within a small wood, which is 3 hrs from Seron.

Campamento Coiron to Refugio Dickson (3 hrs)

Refugio Dickson is then a further 3 hrs walk set in an exposed area at the southern end of Lago (Lake) Dickson so it can be windy and icy cold but the mountains in the distance provide a breathtaking view of Cerro Stokes and other peaks. This is a good place from where climbers can take a day out and explore the peaks at the back area of the central massif. 

Refugio Dickson to Refugio / Campamento Los Perros (4 hrs)

From Refugio Lago Dickson the trail runs along the wooded valley of the Rio de los Perros past a nice waterfall and glacier into a high, glaciated valley, arriving at the Refugio and Campamento Los Perros which takes about 4 hrs. This is the
last place to camp before tackling the difficult Paso John Gardner (John Gardner Pass). The Paso John Gardner can be quite tricky to negotiate and is the highest point on the circuit at 1,241 m, so it is vitally important to keep an eye on the weather conditions.

Refugio / Campamento Los Perros to Campamento Paso (4 hrs)

The trail up Paso John Gardner from the Refugio / Campamento Los Perros to Campamento Paso takes about 4 hrs to hike and goes through bogs and up scree before dropping steeply through a forest to Campamento Paso. The path then follows along the shore of the Grey Glacier, continuing on towards Lago Grey. A wrong turn on this sector can take you directly on to Grey Glacier or have you meet a vertical drop! From the top of the pass there is a stunning view of the blue-white Grey Glacier in the valley below.

Campamento Paso to Campamento Los Guardas (4 hrs)

This short stretch runs along beside Grey Glacier. 

Campamento Guardas to Refugio / Campamento Grey (2 hrs)

From Campamento Los Guardas the path follows an adjacent route to Grey Glacier that continues beyond Grey Glacier beside Lago Grey, passing through wooded areas within which is Refugio and Campamento Grey. This is another area that can be icy cold when the wind runs off Grey Glacier. 

Refugio / Campamento Grey to Refugio Pehoe (3-4 hrs)

This now the home stretch to Refugio Pehoe, from where it is possible to take a catamaran across Lago Pehoe or continue on the path to: Refugio / Campamento Pehoe to Campamento Italiano (2 hrs 30 mins)Campamento Italiano to Campamento Britanico (2 hrs)Campamento Italiano to Refugio / Campamento Los Cuernos (2 hrs)

Refugio / Campamento Los Cuernos to Refugio / Campamento Las Torres (7 hrs)

The "W" Trek
(allow a minimum of 2 days, ideally 4 or more days)
(called the "w" because the shape the path forms is a W)

You can start the "W" trek from Refugio Laguna Amarga, from Hosteria Las Torres or Refugio and Campamento Las Torres or from Refugio Pehoe (located at the far, western end of the "W" from Laguna Amarga. Access to Laguna Amarga, Hosteria Las Torres and Refugio Las Torres is by road, whilst access to Refugio Pehoe can be by catamaran across Lago Pehoe from Refugio Pudeto.

Accommodation can be in campsites and / or a mixture with some nights in "refugios" which offer good shelter, warmth, hot water and food BUT PRE BOOKING is required.

Route with estimated walking time in brackets and are APPROXIMATE ONLY

• Refugio Laguna Amarga to the Las Torres accommodation area (camp site, refugio and hosteria) (1 hr 30 mins).
• Las Torres to Campamento Chileno (1 hr 30 mins).
• Campamento Chileno to Campamento Torres (1 hr 30 mins).
• Las Torres to Los Cuernos (Refugio / Campamento) (7 hrs).
• Los Cuernos to Campamento Italiano (2 hrs).
• Campamento Italiano to Campamento Britanico (2 hrs)
• Campamento Britanico to Refugio Pehoe (4 hrs)
• Lago Grey (Refugio and Campamento) to Refugio Pehoe (3 hrs)
• Pehoe to Campamento Italiano (2 hrs 30 mins)   

Catamaran across Lago Pehoe

For those wishing to cross Lago Pehoe from Refugio Pehoe, or get to Refugio Pehoe from the main interior park road, there is a catamaran service.

The launch crosses Lago Pehoe from Refugio Pudeto, close to the Guaderia Lago Pehoe. While waiting for the boat you just have enough time to walk to Salto Grande and back - it is close and offers a picturesque view - but buy the ticket for the boat first. The trip takes less than an hour. Cost as of July 2004 was approximately USD15 ONE WAY per person with one bag. Extra bags may cost more.

Departure Times  October & April (LOW SEASON)
From Pudeto 12:00 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 12:30 hrs 

November & March 16 to 30 (MID SEASON)
From Pudeto 12:00 hrs
From Pudeto 18:00 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 12:30 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 18:30 hrs 

December to 15 March HIGH SEASON
From Pudeto 09:30 hrs
From Pudeto 12:00 hrs
From Pudeto 18:00 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 10:00 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 12:30 hrs
From Refugio Pehoe 18:30 hrs

25 December and 01 January NO trips. The "W" Brief Route Description Refugio Laguna Amarga to Refugio and Campamento Las Torres or Hosteria Las Torres (1 hr 30 mins)

From the Laguna Amarga refugio or station (same place) walk the 7kms to Hosteria Las Torres, or start at the Las Torres accommodation zone. 

Refugio and Campamento Las Torres or Hosteria Las Torres to the "Mirador" (4 hrs)

Hosteria Las Torres or the Refugio and Campamento Las Torres all provide a good base from which to begin to walk the "W".From Las Torres, continue along the Valle Ascencio past the Campamento Chileno (2 hr walk) and the Campamento Torres (a further 1 hr 30 mins walk) (unless you plan on camping at one) to the "mirador" (meaning view point)(30 mins further on). This is the highlight of this sector above Campamento Torres from which there is a jaw-dropping view of the vertical towers that give the park its name. The return leg will involve retracing your steps back to one of the accommodation options at Las Torres. Unless you are camping at Chileno (which may have a midge problem) or Torres you must allow time to get back to your base at Hosteria as Torres or Refugio or Campamento Las Torres.

Refugio and Campamento Las Torres or Hosteria Las Torres to Refugio and Campamento Los Cuernos (7 hrs)

This is a more traditional hiking trail passing through beautiful, rugged scenery on the northern side of Lago Nordenskjold. 

Refugio and Campamento Los Cuernos to Campamento Italiano (2 hrs)

The route continues along the northern side of Lago Nordenskjold to Campamento Italiano (the camping area is in two parts with the higher sector often less crowded) which is at the "junction" of continuing on to Refugio Pehoe and turning north to Campamento Britanico. 

Campamento Italiano to Campamento Britanico (2 hrs) Valley of Rio del Frances

The path up to Campamento Britanico passes many waterfalls, a glacier and stunning all round scenery, however it is at the top of the valley, close to the Campamento Britianico where the view of the wildly sculpted Cuernos (meaning horns) towering above is incomparable.The route will take you north across undulating country along the western edge of Lago Skottberg to Campamento Italiano and then follows the valley to of the Rio del Frances which climbs between (to the west) Cerro Paine Grande and the Ventisquero del Frances and (to the east) the Cuernos del Paine
Grande to Campamento Britanico.

Note: For the other way: Refugio Pehoe to Campamento Italiano (2 hrs 30 mins) to Campamento Britanico (2hrs 30 mins)

As in the first leg of walking the "W" you will need to retrace your steps back to Campamento Italiano from the Campamento Britanico before you can take the 2 hr and 30 mins walk to Refugio Pehoe.

Other Treks

Lago Azul and Lago Paine

A less frequently travelled route into the remote northern sector of the park, scribing an arc to the east of that taken by the Paine circuit.

Beginning at Guarderia Laguna Amarga the route passes through level pampa en route to Refugio Laguna Azul (3 hrs 30 mins), at which point it veers west and continues along the northern side of the Rio Paine to Refugio Lago Paine (4 hrs). It is also possible to bypass the Refugio Laguna Azul and head straight for Refugio Lago Paine. If you wish to combine this route with the Paine circuit, consult the rangers  beforehand to see if boats are available to cross the Rio Paine. Otherwise you will have to return the way to came.

To Lake (Lago) Pingo from Guarderia Grey

Guarderia Grey (via Refugio Pingo) to  Refugio Zapata (5 hrs)
Guarderia Grey is 18 kms west of the CONAF administration centre. Start at Guarderia Grey and walk to Refugio Pingo following the Rio Pingo and on to Refugio Zapata. You will see views over Ventisquero Zapata as well as wildlife and icebergs on the lake.

The Pingo and Tyndall Valleys

From Guarderia Grey at the south end of the lake (not to be confused with Refugio Grey at the north end), a trail heads up the Rio Pingo Valley, 8 hrs to Lago Pingo. This is probably the least-visited sector of the park and one of its most spectacular, with the Glacier Zapata calving directly into the lake. From here you'll have to return the way you came as CONAF now discourages the circuit south via Lago Tyndall.

Laguna Verde (4hrs)

CONAF Administration Centre to Guarderia Laguna Verde (4 hrs)
From the CONAF centre walk for 2 kms and take the path to east to Sierra del Torro and along the southern side of Laguna Verde to the Guarderia Laguna Verde. BUT REMEMBER TO ALLOW TIME TO GET BACK.