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Torres del Paine National Park lies in Chilean Patagonia, where the granite spires of the Paine massif rise above glacial lakes, grasslands and forest near the southern tip of South America. The park is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and its weather can shift from bright sun to sideways rain and fierce wind within an hour.
The hike to the Base de las Torres, a strenuous climb up the Ascencio Valley ending at a lake beneath the three towers, is the park's signature day. Laguna Azul offers a quieter view of the towers from the northeast, while Lago Sarmiento and Laguna Amarga are good places to spot guanacos on the steppe. The short walk to Salto Grande and on to Mirador Cuernos looks straight at the dark-capped peaks of the Cuernos, and Lago Pehoé's turquoise water is a favorite photo stop. Trekkers on the W route head up Valle Francés to Mirador Británico, surrounded by hanging glaciers, and continue to Grey Glacier, whose icebergs can be seen drifting from the beach at Lago Grey. Near the town of Puerto Natales, the Cueva del Milodón once held remains of a giant ground sloth.
Hikers and photographers are the core visitors. Refugios and campsites must be reserved ahead for multi-day treks. Puerto Natales serves as the main base town for supplies and transport.
WiserMap travel guideTorres del Paine Chile Base of the Towers and Grey GlacierPlan a Torres del Paine trip: the Base of the Towers hike, Grey Glacier, Lago Pehoé, the French Valley, when to go, where to sleep and how to reach the park.Read the guide
The park's signature hike, climbing the Ascencio Valley to a glacial lake beneath the three granite towers that give the park its name. It is about 20 km round trip with a steep final boulder section. Start very early from the Welcome Center, carry layers, and expect strong wind near the top.
The middle leg of the W Trek, climbing the French Valley between hanging glaciers on Paine Grande and a ring of granite peaks to the Británico viewpoint. Avalanches can often be heard from the trail. It is a long day from the Paine Grande or Italiano area, so check that the upper trail is open.
The park's classic multi-day route of four to five days shaped like a W, linking the Base de las Torres, the French Valley and Grey Glacier, with nights in refugios or campsites. Refugios and camps must be booked months ahead for the summer season, and the weather changes fast, so pack for rain and wind.
A quiet blue lake in the northeast of the park with a classic reflected view of the Paine towers on calm mornings. There is a campground and picnic area, and guanacos graze nearby. It is reached by a gravel road and sees fewer visitors than the central part of the park, especially at sunrise.
Two lakes near the eastern entrance. Laguna Amarga is a shallow saline lagoon where flamingos sometimes feed, and Lago Sarmiento has white thrombolite rock formations on its shores and a sweeping view of the Paine massif. Watch for guanacos, rheas and the occasional puma on the drive.
A brilliant turquoise lake in the center of the park, with the Cuernos del Paine rising directly behind it and a small island hotel reached by footbridge. The roadside viewpoints are among the most photographed spots in Patagonia. Stop at the Pehoé lookout in the early morning when the water is calm.
A pebble beach at the southern end of Lago Grey where blue icebergs broken off Grey Glacier drift ashore, reached by a short walk over a suspension bridge and a sand spit. The glacier is visible far up the lake. It is often very windy, so hold on to hats and bring warm layers.
A powerful waterfall where Lago Nordenskjöld drains into Lago Pehoé, with the Cuernos del Paine behind it. An easy trail of a few minutes leads to the falls. Winds here can be strong enough to knock people over, so stay back from the edge and keep a firm grip on cameras.
A broad waterfall on the Paine River in the northeast of the park, near the road to Laguna Azul, where the river drops over a rock ledge with the Paine massif in the distance. It is a short walk from the parking area. Combine it with Laguna Azul on a quieter loop through the park.
A viewpoint reached by an easy trail of about an hour each way beyond Salto Grande, facing the dark-tipped Cuernos del Paine across the turquoise water of Lago Nordenskjöld. The path is flat and open to the wind. It is one of the best short walks in the park for visitors not doing the full trek.
A large glacier flowing from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field into Lago Grey, with a blue ice wall rising above the water. You can see it from viewpoints on the W Trek, take a boat trip across the lake to its face, or join an ice hike. Boat trips depend on the wind, so keep a spare day.
A catamaran crossing Lago Pehoé from Pudeto to Paine Grande, used by trekkers to start or finish the W Trek, with superb views of the Cuernos del Paine from the deck. The trip takes about 30 minutes. Check the seasonal schedule and arrive early, as boats fill and do not run in strong winds.
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Photo: LBM1948, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: LBM1948, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: LBM1948, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: LBM1948, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: LBM1948, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: LBM1948, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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