Trekking in Torres del Paine

Patagonia's premier national parks in Chile and Argentina, including Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy areas

CICERONE 2023

Guidebook to trekking in the heart of Patagonia, with routes in Torres del Paine National Park (Chile) and Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina). While the region is primarily a remote and mountainous glaciated wilderness, walking is easily accessible with clear trails, good public transport and regular mountain huts and campsites.

The centrepiece of this dramatic area is the 10-11 day Torres del Paine Circuit (also known as the 'O' Circuit), while the shorter Half Circuit (the 'W') visits much of the same sights in 4-5 days. The guidebook also includes four shorter day walks, a multi-day trek in Argentina's Los Glaciares national park, and several excursions from Puerto Natales and El Calafate.

This guidebook includes advice on getting to and around the regions, languages, visa, currency, accommodation and facilities in the National Parks, as well as useful guidance on what to take and expect on the treks. Also featured is background information on the geology, history, wildlife, flora and cultures of the regions, resulting in an excellent companion guide to help you explore the region.

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Torres del Paine National Park

Location of routes

Introduction

Geography and geology

Climate

Wildlife and plants

History and culture

Early exploration and mountaineering

Getting to Chile

Transport within Chile

Agencies and tour operators

Visas and arrival

Accommodation

Language

Food and drink

Money and costs

Keeping in touch

Safety

About this guide

Trekking in Torres del Paine National Park

Refugios, campsites and hotels

Booking ahead

Transport to and around the park

Maps

Equipment

Low-impact trekking

What to do in an emergency

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Walk 1 Torres del Paine circuit (the ‘O’)

Stage 1 Refugio Paine Grande–Campamento Italiano

Stage 2 Campamento Italiano–Valle Francés (return)

Stage 3 Campamento Italiano–Refugio Las Torres

Stage 4 Refugio Las Torres–El Chileno

Stage 5 El Chileno–Mirador Las Torres (return)

Stage 6 El Chileno–Campamento Japonés (return)

Stage 7 El Chileno–Refugio Las Torres

Stage 8 Refugio Las Torres–Campamento Serón

Stage 9 Campamento Serón–Refugio Dickson

Stage 10 Refugio Dickson–Campamento Los Perros

Stage 11 Campamento Los Perros–Campamento Paso

Stage 12 Campamento Paso–Refugio Grey

Stage 13 Refugio Grey–Refugio Paine Grande

Stage 14 Refugio Paine Grande–CONAF Administración (the ‘Q’, optional)

Walk 2 Torres del Paine Half-Circuit (the ‘W’)

Stage 1 Refugio Las Torres–Mirador Las Torres (return)

Stage 2 Refugio Las Torres–Campamento Italiano

Stage 3 Campamento Italiano–Valle Francés (return)

Stage 4 Campamento Italiano–Refugio Grey

Stage 5 Refugio Grey–Refugio Paine Grande

Walk 3 Salto Grande and Mirador Los Cuernos

Walk 4 Puente Weber

Walk 5 Mirador Lago Toro and Laguna Verde

Walk 6 Mirador Cóndor

Walk 7 Río Pingo and Mirador Zapata

Stage 1 Guardería Lago Grey–Campamento Zapata

Stage 2 Campamento Zapata–Mirador Zapata (return)

Stage 3 Campamento Zapata–Guardería Lago Grey

Other walks within the national park

Laguna Amarga–Portería Sarmiento

Laguna Azul and trail to Lago Dickson

Excursions from Puerto Natales

Excursion 1 Cueva del Milodón

Excursion 2 Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers (Bernardo O’Higgins National Park)

Excursion 3 Sierra Baguales

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Excursion from El Calafate

Excursion 4 Perito Moreno glacier

Walk 8 Cerro Fitz Roy (El Chaltén) and Cerro Torre

Stage 1 El Chaltén–Campamento Agostini

Stage 2 Campamento Agostini–Campamento Poincenot

Stage 3 Campamento Poincenot–Laguna de los Tres (return)

Stage 4 Campamento Poincenot–Laguna Piedas Blancas (return)

Stage 5 Campamento Poincenot–El Chaltén

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Gateway towns and cities

Appendix C Accommodation within Torres del Paine National Park

Appendix D Language notes and glossary

Appendix E Contacts and online resources

Appendix F Further reading