Torres del Paine is one of the most famous national parks in Chile. It offers a varied nature experience with glaciers, mountains and temperate rainforest right on the southern Patagonian ice field. The best way to explore the park is on one of the multi-day trekking routes.
background
history
landscape
There are four different zones in the national park, bushland on the river and lake banks. Magellanic forest with lots of lichens and mosses and magellanic tundra as well as grassland above the tree line.
The prominent rock peaks ("Torres") in the front part, which can be hiked over part of the "W", are particularly well known. On a hike over the "O" (large circuit) there is also a beautiful view of the Gray Glacier from above and other foothills of the southern Patagonian ice field.
Flora and fauna
flora
- Calafate
- Orchids
- Lichens and mosses
fauna
- Guanaco
- puma
- Magellanic woodpecker
- Andean condor
climate
The climate data for Puerto Natales help for orientation climate-data.org. The best months are generally the end of December up to and including February, with the extent of precipitation increasing over the course of the summer.
getting there
The park boundary is about 115 km away from Puerto Natales. There are different park entrances with different opening times. The Sarmiento and Laguna Amarga entrances are open all year round from 8.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
From Punta Arenas you can reach Puerto Natales on a country road that is well developed for Chilean standards, and then continue to drive in the national park. A few years ago a new, significantly shorter road was opened into the park - the last part is just gravel.
Several bus companies depart from Puerto Natales early in the morning and in the afternoon in the direction of the park (in the opposite direction at noon or in the evening), in the accommodations you can usually buy a combined ticket for the outward journey with an open return date. The ticket prices differ considerably, so price comparison is worthwhile.
Fees / permits
The national park is from CONAF and is basically open all year round, but the "O-Runde" (rear part) and mostly also the Valle Frances (part of the "W") are not accessible in winter.
In 2020 there was a significant increase in admission prices, especially due to the new long-term prices (> 3 days). Entry costs 25,000 CLP for foreigners (35,000 CLP> 3 days. If you reach the park by bus, you will be guided through various (numbered) stations for registration, payment, punch card receipt and video instruction. You will also receive a card with all the important information Information so you don't have to buy anything in advance.
The video instruction is given because serious forest fires have broken out in the park several times due to improper handling of fire. For this reason, you should only take a gas stove with you if possible (gasoline stoves seem to be tolerated, but are not welcome).
The punch card system was abolished. At the campsites and refugios, as well as at some parking ranger stations, you are asked to enter your name and passport number in a registration book. It is now mandatory to make reservations for overnight stays (see below).
mobility
You can take the different buses from there Puerto Natales use to reach the entry points that can be reached by road. Regardless of the bus company, apart from the organized tours, there are only bus connections in the morning and at noon (14:30) from the bus station in Puerto Natales. The return trip costs around CLP 15,000. Tickets can be bought in hostels, agencies and at the bus station. A price comparison can be worthwhile. The buses only go to the park entrance Laguna Armargawhere to register.
From there you can take a shuttle bus to the Hotel Las Torres, for example, which, however, costs extra. The shuttle buses are coordinated with the bus connections at the park entrance.
Most of the park and the main sights can only be reached on foot or by horse.
Tourist Attractions
The three main attractions are
- Gray glacier
- Torres del Paine (Granite towers)
- Valle Frances
Furthermore are worth seeing
- Lago Gray right on the glacier
- Lago Dickson with a glacier in the north, part of the O-Trek
- Gardener Pass with a view of the South Patagonian Ice Field, part of the O-Trek
- Cascada de Paine, Río Paine waterfall near the Laguna Armarga park entrance, also accessible by car
- The lake region in the south with Lago Pehoe, Nordenskjöld and Sarmiento can also be partially seen from the road
activities
hike
W-Trek
The W-Trek is the approx. 4-day multi-day hike in which you only hike around the southern part of the massif. The name W-Trek comes from walking down the three main attractions in the park: the Gray Glacier, the Valle Frances and the Torres. You can hike the trek in both directions, but the usual route is from west to east. Then you take the bus from the park entrance to Guarderia Pudeto and from there take the catamaran (approx. CLP 15,000) to Campamento Paine Grande. From there, depending on the time of day, you can hike directly to Campamento Gray at the foot of the glacier (approx. 2.5 hours).
- Detour to the glacierMost of them do not hike any further, although the most impressive view of the glacier and the South Patagonian ice field is only available on the way to Campamento Paso (4 hours). You cross two large gorges with suspension bridges. The way there and back is easily feasible as an easy day tour so that you can return to the tent in Camping Gray in the evening.
From Campamento Gray it goes back to Camping Paine Grande and usually directly to the free Camping Italiano, which you have to reserve with the park rangers in Paine Grande.At Camping Italiano you can leave your heavy backpacks and set off for the Valle Frances. The way to the top viewpoint is very rocky and takes about 2.5 hours to climb.
After the Valle Frances we continue to the last highlight, the Torres del Paine, which also has its name against the park. If you want to watch the sunrise on the granite towers with a little luck, we recommend staying at the free Camping Torres. A reservation at the park entrance or at Camping Italiano is compulsory. From there it is only 45 minutes at dusk to the lookout point at the foot of the towers. Alternatively, you can also stop at Camping Chileno, from there it is about 1:45 hours.
If you have not yet reserved a hostel room, we recommend the return journey by lunch bus (2 p.m. Hotel Torres / 2:30 p.m. Park entrance Laguna Armarga) as the evening bus (7:00 p.m./7: 30 p.m.) takes you very late in Puerto Natales arrives.
O-Trek
On the approximately 9-day O-Trek, you circle the entire massif and also do the W-Trek. Especially in the main season (mid-December-February) you can better follow the crowds here, who usually only hike day tours in the south or the W-Trek. Only on this tour can you see the picturesque Lago Dickson with its glacier and cross the Gardener Pass.
Climb
horse riding
Ice trekking on the Gray Glacier
Kayay tours in front of the Gray Glacier
shop
At every refugio and also in most of the camps there is the possibility to buy simple trekking meals (mostly rice or pasta with a sauce) as well as sweets, beer and wine. Some refugios also carry gas cartridges, a limited selection of spare parts / clothing, fresh bread, ... - but the prices are exorbitantly high even by European standards, so it is best to bring everything you need from outside.
kitchen
There is always something to eat in the hotel and in the refugios, even if you may not find a place to sleep there. In order to hike the national park properly and, above all, longer, you need a tent, sleeping bag and your own food. The advantage is that there are springs and streams with drinking water quality throughout the park. So in a pinch, take freeze-dried food with you and pour water over it.
accommodation
Overnight stays in the national park are only permitted on the designated campsites and other official accommodation. The local authorities try to avoid damage from inexperienced (forest fires in the past) and excessive tourist flows. In October 2016, the park administration therefore issued new regulations for private and state CONAF campsites and refugios, which make a reservation mandatory. These only apply to overnight stays in the park, day guests are not affected, but checks are carried out on multi-day routes and campsites and guests are sent back without a reservation.
The reservation is made via the official park website.
Hotels and hostels
- Explora
- Hotel Lago Gray
- Hosteria Cabañas del Paine
- Hotel Rio Serrano
- Hostería Lago Pehoé
- Hostería Lago Tyndall
- Hotel Las Torres. Fantastically located, but very expensive hotel. You shouldn't expect services commensurate with the prices, but the location is comforting for a lot.
camping
- Refugio Torre Central
- Refugio y Camping El Chileno
- Cabañas, Refugio y Camping Los Cuernos
- Camping Serón
- Paine Grande Mountain Lodge
- Gray Refuge and Camp Site
- Dickson Refuge and Camp Site
- Los Perros Camp Site
security
There is no mobile phone network in Torres del Paine National Park. Due to the fact that at least in the summer season all roads are well frequented and there are many park ranger stations that can request help by radio, you will still be helped well in case of doubt. Especially in bad weather or in more difficult sections (Valle Frances, Gardener Pass) it is not advisable to go alone.
