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Torres del Paine Hiking Tips - Patagonia

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Top tips For hiking at the end of the earth

Treks in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia Chile range from short day treks to lagunas and glaciers to week-long treks past granite spires, hidden valleys and the third largest ice field in the world

Take hiking poles

A steep muddy bank between the John Gardner Pass and Camping El Paso makes them especially useful for hiking the Torres del Paine Circuit.

Take of a change of footwear

Many trails, especially parts of The Circuit, traverse deep bogs. A change of footwear means not having to hike with wet feet.

Hike the Circuit anti-clockwise

Patagonia's winds are notorious, especially on the Pass. Hiking anti-clockwise means not having to walk into them.

Take insect repellant

Despite Patagonia's and Torres del Paine's coldish climate, mosquitoes can be a problem. Often the wind keeps them at bay, but when wind speeds drop below about four miles an hour, they can be a nuisance.

Wear layers

The weather in Patagonia and southern Chile is unpredictable. Even in summer, high winds, snow and sleet are possible, and temperatures may drop 15 degress celcius in minutes. Wearing layers means you are always prepared.

Don't hike alone

Hiking alone is not allowed in Torres del Paine, but it is usually possible to find hiking companions in Puerto Natales, or at the Park's refugios.

Buy supplies before entering the Park

Although there are stores and kiosks at many of Torres del Paine's campsites and refugios, they tend to be expensive.

Don't leave food out

Mice can be a problem in both refugios and campsites in Torres del Paine.

Don't light fires outside campgrounds

A fire destroyed 1500 hectares of Torres del Paine in 2005, and the damage is still visible. The cause was camp fire lit by a tourist outside a campground. The Chilean government later sued the culprit, so be warned.

Wild campfires are strictly prohibited in Patagonia.

Don't buy bought bottled water

The water in the Park's many lakes and rivers is safe to drink.

Grey Lake

Torres del Paine National Park

Icebergs from Grey Glacier floating in Grey Lake, which is at the western end of the W Trek

Carry a tent

A tent is essential for hiking the Circuit, and although the W can in theory be hiked from refugio to refugio without one, this means some very long days.

Staying only in refugios also means missing out on some of the least populated parts of the park.

Note: in theory tents can be hired for Los Perros camp at the foot of the John Gardner Pass

Camping at Laguna Azul

Timetable for bad weather

The John Gardner Pass will be closed in extreme weather, which means waiting at one of the refugios or campsites for it to clear. A wait of a day at least is not unusual.

In winter, other trails may not be passable as well as the road into the Park.

Hike the W if your time is limited

The Paine W can be completed in three days at a push if you're fit and you have good weather, whereas the circuit takes at least six. While the W misses out on the John Gardener Pass, it does include other park highlights such as the French Valley and the Towers.

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Comments

  • PatriceBeaulieu Nov 15, 2011 @ 6:55 pm | delete
    It looks like a beautiful place to hike! Thanks for sharing your tips.
  • KellydeBorda May 28, 2011 @ 4:19 pm | delete
    Great tips :)
  • PlayOutside May 1, 2011 @ 1:31 pm | delete
    Nice....its on my list of places to go now.
  • SEM-SEO-SMM Jan 31, 2011 @ 8:51 am | delete
    Gorgeous, I would love to go there!
  • stefanruse Dec 28, 2010 @ 1:05 pm | delete
    Great and useful tips. Pleasant and important info. Thanks
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TDP

I'm a big fan of Chile - from the beaches and vineyards of the north to the Patagonian wilderness in the South: Sites: Patagonia Trips; Torres del Paine.
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