The 6 best hiking trails in Torres del Paine, Chile

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The hiking trails of Torres del Paine are among the best hiking trails in the continent, if not the world

In 2013, National Geographic classified the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile as the fifthest place in the world.

Unfortunately, Torres del Paine represents one of my travel durers from our big trip. We chose our timing incorrectly and saw relatively little of some of the most dramatic landscapes in Patagonia in Chilean.

Despite the weather, we managed to plan a few short hikes (we are finally British) and drive through the park with an off -road vehicle to explain potential trails for the future. The park has an excellent hiking infrastructure with exceptionally maintained hiking trails as well as campsites and shelter at regular intervals.

One day I swore to return to complete the Torres del Paine hiking trails below. They are among the best hiking trails in the continent, if not the world.

1. Gray glacier and Lago de Gray

Alt = "best Torres del Paine hiking trails"Welsh boy from London, Creative Commons

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) Duration: 5.5 hours

The fascinating gray glacier lies north of the lake of the same name and flows south in it. The path follows the lake shore and offers an almighty view of the glacier and the dramatic Paine massif throughout the day.

Start at the Refugio Y Campamento Paine Grande and hike northwest to the glacier with the lake to your left (see map below). The last steep climb to 1,200 m on Paso John Gardner is worth the effort. You will be rewarded with the best prospects of the day.

2. Paso los cuernos

Alt = "Torres-Del-Paine hiking trails LAGO Nordenskjöld"Philvx, creative commons

Distance: 11 km (7 miles) Duration: 4.5 hours

This is a more relaxed and corrugated way that follows the north bank of the Lago Nordenskjöl. It is rarely steep and not too demanding for the casual hiker. The Paso Los Cuernos begins at Campamento Italiano and winds between the towering cuernos del Paine-massif and the Saphirsee.

During the entire hike, you can enjoy the view of the rugged peaks that define the Patagonia, with the gentle and quiet lake to your right.

3. Mirador Las Torres (the towers)

Alt = "Hiking in Torres del Paine is one of the best outdoor activities in Chile"Dream time

Distance: 8 km (5 miles) Duration: 4.5 hours

You probably came to Patagonia for this reason-it is the most popular of the Torres-Del Paine hiking trails. The towers, which are only exceeded by Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre of the Los Glaciare National Park in Argentina, are fascinating in shape and shape.

The granite pillars of Torres del Paine seem to rise almost 2,000 m (6,500 feet) from the Patagonian steppe underneath and dominate the surrounding landscape. The path leads you to the Base de Las Torres, where you take a perfect postcard photo in good weather.

The nearby Campamento Torres is perhaps one of the most beautiful campsites in the world. The hike includes a 45 to 60-minute climbing tour to the Miradór Las Torres.

4. Valle del Francés (French valley)

Distance: 10 km (6 miles) duration: 6 hours return trip

The magnificent French valley is a natural pelvis that is surrounded by the black slate "horns" of the Cuernos del Paine. Here you can enjoy the panoramic view under the glacier -covered slopes of the Cerro Paine, with 2,850 m (9,350 ft) of the mountain range, hiking and from the west side of this extraordinary mountain massif.

A return hike from Campamento Italiano is required because there is no way to camp on the way.

5. The W

Distance: 60-84 km (37-52 miles) duration: 4-5 days

The W occupies large parts of the above routes and ensures that they get into the beautiful mountain chains from both sides. It is best to hike from west to east to enjoy the view of the Los Cuernos summit and to lift the hardest sections for the (hopefully) easiest backpack.

The first stage runs along the Lago Gray, from the Lodge Paine Grande to the Refugio Lago Gray, with a great view of the Glacier Gray along the way. The middle section is a steep climb to Valle Francés covered by glaciers and waterfalls, which offers a closer look at Los Cuernos and Las Torres.

The last stage leads you to the viewpoint on the lake directly under the three towers.

6. The circuit

Alt = “Torres del Paine Hiking map” The circuit includes a complete loop of the park and includes the Wtrail. Both can be seen in the upper part of the map.

Distance: 130 km (80 miles) Duration: 7-9 days

The big dog! When you complete the circuit, you will sink the best hikes in Torres del Paine at once. The circuit includes the W as well as the back and the less overcrowded north side of the park. It is better to tackle clockwise from the Refugio Las Torres, as the incomparable Glacier Gray panorama opens among them when you cross the highest point of the hike, Paso John Gardner.

While the W normally takes four to five days, the circuit needs seven to nine days, which enables additional time to linger at the campsite below Paso John Gardner, as it can often be too dangerous in strong winds to cross it. It is also a good opportunity to incorporate an urgently needed day of rest.

Essential

What: Hiking along the sapphire -colored lakes and the mountains of the Torres del Paine National Park, which are hung with black tops, in the Chilean Patagonia, one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Where: We stayed in the Weskar Lodge, just a short walk from Puerto Natales, the closest city to the park, and on the main street towards the park. The modern, but extremely cozy hotel enjoys a wonderful view of the fjord and the surrounding mountains - a travel destination for itself.

The hotel has a nice dining and lounge area with an open wood fire. Each room enjoys an excellent view, an internet connection and urgently needed heating.

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  • Alt = "Wanderhotel Torres del Paine"
  • Alt = "Wanderhotel Torres del Paine"
  • Alt = "Wanderhotel Torres del Paine"
  • Alt = "Wanderhotel Torres del Paine"
  • Alt = "Wanderhotel Torres del Paine"
  • Alt = "Wanderhotel Torres del Paine"

When: As already mentioned, we made a mistake by visiting late autumn (mid -May). During our stay there were a few clearer days, but the best time of travel is without a doubt between November and April.

However, the weather in Patagonia is inconsistent and can change dramatically all year round without warning. Be prepared for all eventualities.

Like: We spent six days in Puerto Natales, 75 km (46 miles) from the south entrance of the national park. We have made numerous day trips to the national park by drove the 1h30min Ruta del Fin del Mundo (route of the world) into the park.

The city is the perfect starting point to explore the hiking trails of Torres del Paine and you avoid paying for the sinfully expensive hotels within the parking boundaries. The Weskar Lodge is the perfect starting point for day trips to the park. The friendly employees will be happy to help you organize excursions and to rent a car from a local company.

The admission fee for the national park for foreigners is $ 18,000 (£ 18/$ 28), which you can stamp into the park when you enter the park in order to avoid further fees.

The distances in Chile are huge, so we recommend flying from Santiago to Punta Arenas with LAN. It is best to book tickets via skyscanner.net. From Punta Arenas it is a three -hour bus ride north to Puerto Natales. Buses take off regularly all day and cost around 5,000 CLP (£ 5/$ 8).

There are several bus companies to choose from. We used Buses Fernández and Bus Sur and can guarantee it. There are bus connections to other parts of Chiles and for destinations in Argentina, both from Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales.

Alt = "Hiking Nadel Torres del Paine"

The waterproof hiking map of Torres del Paine recommended by the National Park Administration and the National Tourist Service is the largest and most detailed map of the notorious park.

Beautifully written and full of wonderful descriptions and fascinating stories, a report about Bruce Chatwin's trips to a remote country is looking for a strange beast and his encounters with the people whose fascinating stories are on the street.

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