Hiking in Torres del Paine
World class hiking and trekking awaits in Torres del Paine National Park. From the iconic W Trek to the park’s most hidden corners, each valley, peak and pass is a treasure.
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Why go day hiking in Torres del Paine?
- Base yourself in a luxury lodge, hotel or glamping site to put you close to a spectacular array of day hiking trails
- Spend your days hiking sections of the famous W Trek, head into the forests of the Pingo Valley or even look for fossils deep in the dry pampa
- Pick your hike the day before, depending on the weather forecast and how energetic your legs are feeling
- Mix and match, trying the most popular treks then challenging yourself with a tougher trail the next day, or just enjoying a relaxed walk to a viewpoint
- Refuel each night with an exquisite dinner and a luxurious night's sleep in some of Torres del Paine's most sought-after accommodation
- Add other activities to your itinerary, going horse riding, kayaking, mountain biking or fly-fishing alongside your day hikes
Hiking to the base of the Towers
Hiking on the shore of Lago Pehoé
Lazo Webber hike
French Valley hike
Crossing a bridge in the Pingo Valley
Moody mountains on a day hike
Dwarfed by the Paine Massif
Baguales Canyon
Day hikes in Torres del Paine
Day hiking the W Trek
The W Trek is celebrated at Torres del Paine's most famous multi-day trek, but it can also be equally enjoyed by breaking it up into three separate day hikes.
The first day hike is the iconic Base of the Towers hike to the grand granite towers that give the park its name. The second day hike is through the beautiful French Valley, famous for its hanging glaciers and winding river. The third day hike is to the Grey Peninsula for quite astonishing views of the Grey Glacier as it descends into Lago Grey. Kayaking among icebergs here is apopular day excursion.
While most people do the W Trek hiking from east to west, doing it as a series of day hikes allows you to pick and mix how to experience it.
Hiking to the base of the Towers
Pingo Valley and Mirador Ferrier
The western part of Torres del Paine feels very remote and quiet compared to the W Trek. You may only meet a handful of hikers here, allowing you to birdwatch and perhaps even spot the elusive Huemul deer.
The Pingo Valley hike winds through open valleys and forests, eventually opening up to stunning views of the impressive Southern Ice Cap. If your legs are up for a challenge, nearby is the climb up to Mirador Ferrier, a two-hour steep trail up to a lookout over the Glacier Grey and the Paine Massif.
A major bonus here is that you can enjoy the views in peace, have a leisurely lunch undisturbed at the base of a waterfall, or stop for that perfect shot without anyone stepping into your photo.
Sydney says
I love the ultimate flexibility of day hiking in Torres del Paine – choosing to push myself with a long hike on one day and relaxing with a short walk to a lookout point on a more lazy day the next.
Sydney Miller Patagonia Specialist
Eastern lakes
The east of Torres del Paine is full of lakes, all surrounded by fantastic walking trails that lead up to fabulous lookout points. It’s the colours of the lakes which make them special, each one has a unique tint, from milky blue to deep turquoise. The panoramic views from the lookouts stretch all the way to the Paine Massif, so you can get a whole new perspective on the huge granite monoliths that made the park famous.
These hikes – along Lago Pehoé, Lago Sarmiento, Laguna Azul and more – vary in difficulty. They start from the easy ramble of the fauna walk, where the solitude gives a good chance of spotting a puma, to the more challenging Cerro Paine hike, with its priceless view of the Towers without the crowds.
View of the Cuernos on a lakeside hike
Sierra Baguales
The far northeast of Torres del Paine offers a complete contrast to the rest of the national park. It’s dry and rugged, with the red and orange Sierra Baguales mountain range stretching into the distance, dotted with green valleys and dark lava flows.
There are no formal trails here – this is an area where you can be completely free to roam and explore into the wild. As well as the striking landscapes, this is a terrific place for a spot of amateur fossil hunting. Guides can take you to some of the best spots where this land was underwater 40 million years ago, to look for ancient shark teeth and mollusc shells.
Hiking in Sierra Baguales
What our travellers think of day hiking in Torres del Paine
Day hikes in Torres del Paine trips scored 4.4/5 from 751 reviews
Review:
Swoop says
Torres del Paine is vast, with accommodation dotted in and around the park. When choosing where to stay is an important choice, decide whether you want to be closer to the more popular trailheads, nearer some of the more remote hikes – or just staying in serene isolation.
Where to stay when day hiking in Torres del Paine
Luxury Lodges
Torres del Paine offers some of the best luxury accommodation in Patagonia, with lodges here offering the ultimate fully inclusive experience.
Expert guides can take you out on a diverse range of day hikes (and other activities) in your own private vehicle and share their insights on the park as you follow the hiking trails. At the end of the day you can retire in supreme comfort, enjoying a spa treatment, a gourmet dinner of locally-sourced food or just a glass of wine brought to you as you enjoy the views over the park.
Tierra Patagonia
Hotels
There are only a handful of hotels in Torres del Paine, catering to a variety of budgets. Each is well-located for some of the park's most popular day hikes, including at the trailhead for the Base of the Towers hike, to views of Lago Grey to the serenity of the Serrano River.
Torres del Paine's hotels offer quite different experiences; some are perfect for relaxing in a simple, traditional space, while others have a grander, busier feel. All offer daily excursions to the hiking trails as well as other activities.
Hotel Rio Serrano
Glamping
If you want to be close to nature but still enjoy some creature comforts and a cosy bed, Torres del Paine has three eco-friendly glamping sites.
All equally charming, the three vary in style and location. One offers stunning geodesic domes in the heart of the park, another has luxury yurts on the shores of a private lane, while the third has bell tents on the Serrano River overlooked by the Paine Massif.
EcoCamp
Day hiking in Torres del Paine: FAQs
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How hard are the day hikes in Torres del Paine?
They are as hard or easy as you like, depending on the trail. Some trails can be tough, especially in bad weather, so you do need to be comfortable hiking for a full eight hour day.
On the other hand, there are myriad short walks of just a couple of hours, where you are transferred to a trail head for a walk to a viewpoint. The guides at your accommodation will offer a full variety of options according to your fitness and preference.
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What do I need to carry on day hikes in Torres del Paine?
Layering is key: pack a base layer, thermal mid layer and a waterproof outer layer. Wear good waterproof walking boots with ankle support and carry a day pack with an extra layer, water bottle, a box lunch fro your accommodation and your camera - don't forget the sun cream!
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How far will I have to travel to get to the trailheads?
This depends entirely on where you stay. Some accommodation is located at the start of some of the more poplar trails heads, allowing to start walking the moment you leave your room. Other places are further afield.
Torres del Paine is so big and so diverse in its landscapes, that wherever you stay, you can expect some travel time to get to the day hikes: your accommodation will include a transfer to wherever you're due to start walking.
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How do I get to Torres del Paine?
The main gateway airports for Torres del Paine are Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, connecting through Chile's capital, Santiago. Transfers are available from these cities to accommodation in the park. It's also easy to make a cross border trip from Argentina, combining Torres del Paine with Los Glaciares National Park.
For more information, see our page about how to get to Torres del Paine.
Explore more hikes in Torres del Paine
The W Trek in Torres Del Paine
The W Trek is Torres del Paine most famous hiking route, which can be walked in a variety of ways, from a multi-day trek to a series of day hikes.
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The O Circuit Trek
The O Circuit is a great trek for experienced hikers, spending over a week to explore both Torres del Paine’s most popular sights and its quieter trails.
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Off the beaten track in Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine's offers great scope for hiking off the beaten track, with quiet trails through little visited valleys, pristine forests and dramatic mountain vistas.
Discover MoreWhy Swoop
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