Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile features the most iconic scenery of the Patagonia region. The park is famous for its multi-day hiking trails, but there are plenty of shorter routes that enable you to see its lakes, mountains and glaciers. In this article we compile the very best Torres Del Paine day hikes for experiencing the park’s highlights.
From our experience, a trip to Torres Del Paine is an absolute must to include in any Patagonia itinerary. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the region and has trails for hikers of any ability.
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Best time to hike in Torres Del Paine
The hiking season in Patagonia is generally from October to April. Torres Del Paine National Park does stay open throughout the year, but the refugios and campsites shut outside the hiking season, and some trails are closed too.
Peak summer season from December to February is when you will find the mildest climate, but the trails are at their busiest then as well. We like the shoulder seasons for hiking in Torres Del Paine – around October–November and March–April – when the weather is fine for hiking but it’s a bit quieter.
We did the multi-day W Trek (which incorporates several of the Torres Del Paine day hies in this guide) at the end of October and we had beautiful weather for most of the trail.
What to know before planning day hikes in Torres Del Paine
Before we get into the details of the best day hikes in Torres Del Paine, there are few useful things you should about the logistics of trekking in the park.
Torres Del Paine entrance tickets
The Torres Del Paine park entrance fee is USD $35 for up to three days or USD $49 for more than three days.
You can book your entry in advance, and the local authority recommends you do this at least 24 hours before you plan to enter the park.
Can you take Torres Del Paine hiking tours?
Yes! Local tour companies and guides run hiking tours and adventures in the park. It’s not a requirement to take a tour, but a good option if you’re nervous about going self-guided and don’t want to worry too much about the logistics.
Later in this guide we recommend tours for some of the specific day hikes in Torres Del Paine.
Getting into the park and getting around
Buses run at least twice daily throughout the trekking season (September to April) from Puerto Natales into the park. You can buy tickets at the station or in advance online – check Busbud to find a service. A return journey should cost around 20,000 Chilean pesos / $24 US dollars.
The final bus drop-off is the CONAF park administration office. From there you can take a shuttle bus up to Hotel Las Torres for the eastern side hiking trails for 3,000 Chilean pesos / $3.50 US dollars.
To access the west side of the park by public transport, you need to get off the bus at Pudeto and take a ferry across Lago Pehoé to Refugio Paine Grande. A one-way ferry ticket is 25,000 Chilean pesos / $30 US dollars (see latest prices).
For car hire, see RentalCars to find the best prices in Puerto Natales. You might prefer this for convenience, but in our experience it’s actually easiest to get between Puerto Natales and Torres Del Paine using the buses.
Where to stay for hiking in Torres Del Paine
Before we get into the nitty gritty of the hiking routes, let’s talk accommodation. Whatever your travel style, there are a range of places to stay in Torres Del Paine National Park and the nearby town Puerto Natales.
Our guide to hostels in Puerto Natales details the best budget accommodation in the town for trekkers. Accommodation inside the park comes at a higher price, but if you’re willing to part with some extra cash, you can bunk down with those incredible landscapes right outside your window. See our compilation of stunning places to stay in Torres Del Paine for ideas.
You will also find various campsites and refugios scattered all around the park along the hiking trails. Our ultimate guide to hiking the W Trek details the spots on the main route, and you can see their locations in relation to the hiking routes on this park map.
Torres Del Paine day hikes: east side
1. Base Las Torres
- Distance / time: 18 kilometres return, 8 hours
- Difficulty: moderate–hard (steep climb on uneven terrain to reach the towers)
- Starts and ends: Hotel Las Torres
- Nearby accommodation: Hotel Las Torres, EcoCamp Patagonia
The image of three granite towers rising above the shimmering green lagoon at Base Las Torres is among the most famous in Patagonia. The mirador at Las Torres is the east ‘prong’ of the W Trek, and can also be reached in a long day hike from the park’s eastern entrance.
The trail begins at Hotel Las Torres, which you can reach in a shuttle bus ride from the CONAF park office on the east side of the park. The first section of the hike rises gently into a valley with a river gurgling below. After a couple of hours you will arrive at Camping El Chileno. From here, the path follows the river before meandering through dense forest for 3 kilometres or so. Finally, a steep ascent of around 400 metres elevation gain leads up to the Torres lookout point.
The route is manageable in a day hike, but it would be challenging to make it back to Puerto Natales. If going self-guided it may help to book an overnight stay on the east side of the park. Alternatively, you can take a full guided day trek from Puerto Natales, which includes transport in and out of the park.
Tip: keep an eye on the weather in the days before your hike. If you have flexibility and the weather is overcast, wait for a clear day for the best views.
2. Lago Nordernskjöld
- Distance / time: 12/22 kilometres, anything from 4 to 8 hours return
- Difficulty: easy–moderate
- Starts and ends: Hotel Las Torres
- Nearby accommodation: Hotel Las Torres, EcoCamp Patagonia
The calming waters of Lago Nordernskjöld stretch from east to west through the centre of the park, with its northern shore making up the middle section of the W Trek. A hike along this shore from Hotel Las Torres culminates in views of the famous ‘horns’ of Los Cuernos.
This is one of the easier sections of hiking in the park, with the path climbing and falling gently alongside the lake. You can choose to hike all the way from the trailhead to Refugio Los Cuernos and back, a long day’s hike of around 22 kilometres return, or just walk part-way to see some gorgeous lake views for a less strenuous option.
Bring a lunch pack-up and stop for a picnic at one of the many stunning lake lookout spots.
3. Laguna Azul and Laguna Cebolla
- Distance / time: 16 kilometres return, 5–6 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Starts and ends: Portería Laguna Azul
- Nearby accommodation: Hotel Las Torres, EcoCamp Patagonia
This scenic hike in the easternmost section of the park is a secluded trail away from the beaten path, and gives a stunning alternative perspective of the massif. The three towers of Las Torres are fully visible from the trail, and on clear days they can be seen reflecting in the sapphire waters of Laguna Azul.
The return hike begins and ends at Portería Laguna Azul, on the eastern side of the lake. It’s not on the bus route so you need to drive to the trailhead if going self-guided (see RentalCars to compare hire prices in Puerto Natales). Some tour agencies in Puerto Natales offer guided hikes with transfers included.
The trail follows the northern shore of Laguna Azul before diverting across a hilly section to the Laguna Cebolla lookout point. Stop here to enjoy a picnic lunch with a view before turning back for the return leg.
4. The Fauna Trail
- Distance / time: 8 kilometres, 2–3 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Starts: Portería Lago Sarmiento
- Ends: Portería Laguna Amarga
- Nearby accommodation: Hotel Las Torres, EcoCamp Patagonia
Torres Del Paine is full of interesting wildlife, but on the popular trails the park’s resident animals don’t usually show up in abundance. The Fauna Trail is a gentle, less-trodden path that is rife with creatures such as guanacos, red foxes, condors, pygmy owls, and even the occasional puma.
The trail is one of the shortest in the park, running from Lago Sarmiento up to the smaller Laguna Amarga. Midway through the trail you have an option to take a slight detour (45 mins to an hour) to see some ancient cave paintings originating from thousands of years ago.
You can book a full day Lago Sarmiento hike that includes transport to the starting point and from the finishing point. To access the trail independently you will need a car. You can begin from either side (Amarga or Sarmiento) and hike it as a return trail.
Torres Del Paine day hikes: west side
5. Grey Glacier
- Distance / time: 24 kilometres return / 8-9 hours
- Difficulty: moderate
- Starts and ends: Refugio Paine Grande
- Nearby accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande, Refugio Grey
Grey Glacier is another of the iconic sights of Torres Del Paine, located at the western end of the W Trek. This remarkable ice mass is part of the South Patagonian Ice Field, and is 6 kilometres wide and 30 metres high at its face.
it is possible to reach Grey Glacier in a single day return hike from Refugio Paine Grande, following the path that clings to the eastern edge of Lago Grey. The lake and mountain views are spectacular throughout the trail as the glacier approaches in the distance.
If you take the morning ferry from Pudeto you can make the return in time for the last departure of the day, although you may want to book a night at Paine Grande (via Vertice Patagonia) to take the pressure off.
To take this experience to an adrenaline-filled, immersive level, while also soaking up the tranquility of the ice up close, there’s also an option to book an ice hike on Grey Glacier.
6. The suspension bridges
- Distance / time: dependent on starting point
- Difficulty: moderate–hard
- Starts and ends: Refugio Paine Grande (very long day hike) / Refugio Grey (half-day hike)
- Nearby accommodation: Refugio Grey, Campamento Paso
If you continue hiking north from Mirador Glacier Grey, you will soon reach one of the most beautiful sections of the O Circuit. The path climbs sharply up to the east of the ice field offering spectacular views of the glacier from above.
About 30–45 minutes’ hiking north from Refugio Grey you will reach the first of two suspension bridges. Continue on for about the same distance up the steep path and you will arrive at the second suspension bridge, where one of the most spectacular views in the park awaits.
A full-day return hike from Refugio Paine Grande to the second suspension bridge is a 30-kilometre slog that requires a high level of fitness. Another option is to book a night at Refugio Grey (via Vertice Patagonia) and split it into a more relaxed two-day hike, or continue north of the bridges to stay at Campamento Paso (10 kilometres north of Refugio Grey).
7. French Valley (Mirador Francés and Mirador Británico)
- Distance / time: 20 or 26 kilometres return, 8–10 hours
- Difficulty: moderate–hard
- Starts and ends: Refugio Paine Grande
- Nearby accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande, Campamento Italiano
The French Valley forms the middle section of the W Trek. The path through the valley culminates at Mirador Británico, the highest point of this section, with a panoramic view of the park’s mountains and granite towers from the middle of the massif.
Similar to the Grey Glacier route, Mirador Británico can be reached in a return day hike from Refugio Paine Grande. It’s a tough, long hike with a very steep section towards the end. For the first few kilometres you will pass through grassy plains and around the edge of Lago Skottsberg, followed by a section of moody dead forestland. When you reach Campamento Italiano, the ascent begins – and you can leave your bags here with the ranger if you want to shed some weight.
Midway up you will reach Mirador Francés, with a lovely view around the valley and down towards Lago Nordernskjöld. If you’re struggling you can opt to turn back here, which cuts out about 6 kilometres of hiking (and the steepest part).
8. Lago Skottsberg
- Distance / time: 5 kilometres return, 1–2 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Starts and ends: Refugio Paine Grande
- Nearby accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande
This shorter, lighter alternative to the French Valley return hike follows the first section of the same trail to the shores of Lago Skottsberg. It’s a relaxing walk for people of all abilities, and ends with a gorgeous view of the horns of Los Cuernos across the blue water.
The Lago Skottsberg trail can easily fit into a round day trip from Puerto Natales, taking a morning bus and ferry before returning in the afternoon/evening.
9. Mirador Ferrier
- Distance / time: 3 kilometres return (with 650 metres elevation gain), 3–4 hours
- Difficulty: hard
- Starts and ends: Guardería Grey (about a 15-minute walk from Hotel Lago Grey)
- Nearby accommodation: Hotel Lago Grey
A quiet trail off the beaten path, this features one of the most impressive viewpoints in Torres Del Paine National Park. The hike to Mirador Ferrier is a tough ascent that climbs 650 metres at an average gradient of nearly 40°, but the effort is rewarded with a panoramic vista of the park’s lakes, glaciers and massif.
The trailhead for the hike to Mirador Ferrier is not a park bus route, so you will need to make your own way there by road. One option is to stay at the nearby Hotel Lago Grey, and the staff there will help arrange your transfers.
The trail begins at Guardería Grey, a ranger station not far away from the hotel. From there the path climbs steeply up to the viewpoint. One of the park’s most secluded trails, there are usually few hikers around and you will most likely have the view at the top to yourself.
Torres Del Paine day hikes: south side
10. Mirador Cuernos and Salto Grande waterfall
- Distance / time: 8 kilometres return, 2–3 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Starts and ends: Pudeto
- Nearby accommodation: Hostería Pehoé
This short trail is the easiest to reach in the park and features some of its scenic highlights. After passing the Salto Grande waterfall, the path leads to a view of the Los Cuernos horns and Paine massif across the emerald waters of Lago Nordernskjöld. If you have just a single day to spare in Puerto Natales, this route is a great way to see some of the famous scenery at the heart of the park without too much effort.
You can begin the trail at the Pudeto ferry port (where buses from Puerto Natales drop off), or at Salto Grande about 1.5 kilometres up. An easy and clearly marked trail then leads up to Mirador Cuernos. Bring some lunch to enjoy at the viewpoint.
11. Laguna Verde and Mirador Lago Toro
- Distance / time: 20 kilometres return, 8-10 hours
- Difficulty: moderate
- Starts and ends:
- Nearby accommodation: Explora Torres Del Paine, Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa
In the southernmost section of Torres Del Paine, this full-day trail is situated close to the park entrance. The trail begins about a mile north of the CONAF administration centre on Ruta Y-150, where a path leads up to Mirador Lago Toro after about 45 minutes of walking.
After appreciating the elevated view across the lake, you can continue on the path to reach Laguna Verde, which should take another 3–4 hours. The path follows the laguna’s southern shore before finishing at Guardería Laguna Verde. It’s also possible to start the trail here and hike it in the opposite direction.
12. Mirador Condor
- Distance / time: 3 kilometres return (with 200 metres elevation gain), 1–2 hours
- Difficulty: easy–moderate
- Starts and ends: Camping Lake Pehoé
- Nearby accommodation: Explora Torres Del Paine
A simple up-and-down hike to a panoramic viewpoint, the trail to Mirador Condor begins at the Lago Pehoé campsite. It should take about 45 minutes to ascend to the top, where you are greeted with views of the Paine massif across Lago Pehoé, and the smaller lake of Laguna Negra.
Although the buses from Puerto Natales pass the trailhead they do not stop, so this route is best accessed by car. You can park at Camping Lago Pehoé. If you happen to be staying at the idyllic Explora Patagonia Hotel, the trailhead is a 15-minute walk away.
Have you done any day hikes in Torres Del Paine? We would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
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