Torres del Paine National Park
Few landscapes on Earth stop you dead in your tracks like the three soaring quartzite spires of Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. Wind-scoured and wild, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve packs glaciers, turquoise lakes, pumas and condors into one jaw-dropping corner of the world.
The Classic W Trek
The W Trek is a 4-5 day circuit that strings together the park's greatest hits — the Base Las Torres viewpoint, the French Valley amphitheatre and the electric-blue face of Glacier Grey. Most trekkers hike west to east, finishing with the pre-dawn climb to see the towers flush pink at sunrise, one of South America's most celebrated moments.
Refugios and campsites must be booked months in advance through the official CONAF-approved operators, especially for the November-to-February high season. Bring every layer you own — Patagonian weather can cycle through sun, sleet and gale-force wind inside a single afternoon.
Beyond the Crowds
The O Circuit adds the remote Backside to the W, looping the entire massif over 8-10 days with far fewer fellow trekkers and scenery that feels genuinely untouched. Lago Dickson and the John Gardner Pass, where you first glimpse the full Southern Patagonian Ice Field, are highlights that W-only hikers never see.
Day visitors based in Puerto Natales can join boat excursions on Lago Grey to float among calved icebergs, or drive the park road to Lago Pehoé for postcard-perfect reflections of the Cuernos del Paine without shouldering a pack.
More of Chile
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Chile →
