{"id":199880,"date":"2021-06-09T14:03:50","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T13:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/?p=199880"},"modified":"2025-10-31T11:19:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T11:19:27","slug":"5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-refugios-in-torres-del-paine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-refugios-in-torres-del-paine\/","title":{"rendered":"5 things you probably didn&#8217;t know about the refugios in Torres del Paine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Known as the land of fire and ice, Patagonia\u2019s untamed wilderness conjures up images of vast and windswept steppes, towering waterfalls and lush forests. The extreme <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/visit\/when#weather-in-patagonia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">weather<\/a> of the region is matched only by its stunning scenery and diverse <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/visit\/wildlife\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wildlife<\/a>. After my first trip here I was hooked. Patagonia, for me, was the ultimate trekking destination. The ever-changing nature and sheer scale of the landscapes left me in awe, so much so that I never left. For the last ten years, I\u2019ve been lucky enough to call Chile home and to have had the opportunity to guide in my favourite part of Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having spoken to countless travellers in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/chile\/torres-del-paine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Torres del Paine<\/a>, I\u2019ve picked up on misconceptions about refugios \u2013 Patagonia\u2019s hiking hostels \u2013 and what they\u2019re really like to stay in. To help potential travellers who are thinking about trekking the W Trek or a similar route, I\u2019d like to share five things you might not know about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/chile\/torres-del-paine\/refugios\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">refugios in Torres del Paine National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. The food is simple but good<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_800,h_600\/https:\/\/blog.swoop-adventures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_9862-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"A hearty meat and potatoes dinner\" class=\"wp-image-1316\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Refuelling after a long day\u2019s hiking with hearty refugio food<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After a long day hiking, there\u2019s nothing better than a warm hearty meal, especially if the Patagonian weather gods have been unkind. Many people that I have guided have been surprised by the quality of food on offer in refugios and were perhaps expecting it to be more basic given their remote locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst the food is by no means five-star cuisine, it\u2019s tasty and there are usually three courses that will leave you filled up and fuelled for another day of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/travel\/hiking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trekking<\/a>. My favourite of the fare on offer is always roasted chicken and potatoes followed by a chocolate flan. Whilst it\u2019s true that Patagonians are big meat eaters, there will always be vegetarian and vegan options provided if you advise your guide prior to the trek (see our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/vegetarian-and-vegan-travel-in-patagonia\/\">vegetarian and vegan travel in Patagonia<\/a> for more).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lunches are definitely more basic than the dinners but are still perfectly good, if not slightly repetitive. However, when you realise that the food is being delivered by either a small boat or packhorse, it\u2019s not surprising that the lunches are not glorious buffets each day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing about this remote mass-catering is that refugios can&#8217;t 100% guarantee their meals won&#8217;t have any traces of allergens. If you&#8217;re a hiker with an allergy and are travelling with Swoop, let us know in advance. If you want to bring your own food, our local partners can even help with shopping supplies in Puerto Natales to make sure you&#8217;re set up for success on the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For people wanting a little more to eat in the evenings, most refugios also sell bar meals such as hamburgers or pizzas. In fact, many even have little mini-markets which sell things like Pringles, chocolate, cookies and lots of other yummy things to keep you going during your trek (we&#8217;re also increasingly seeing things like vegan cheese on sale in, for those dairy-free travellers). You can also purchase soft drinks and some alcoholic beverages, for example, a classic pisco sour\u2026 when in Rome! Or in this case, Patagonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. The refugios are not as rustic as you might believe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another misconception regarding refugios in Torres del Paine is how basic the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/visit\/hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accommodation<\/a> is. I think many people envision a cold, dark hut with an old bed and a rusty window hanging off its hinges. The reality is far from this. The first time I entered a refugio I was greeted with a lively scene; it was atmospheric, music was playing and like-minded hikers were gathered, beers in hand, sharing stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_800,h_600\/https:\/\/blog.swoop-adventures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_9863-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"A bustling and sociable dining space at a hiking hostel in Patagonia\" class=\"wp-image-1317\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The bustling and sociable dining space at Refugio Cuernos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst there are no gleaming chandeliers, most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/chile\/torres-del-paine\/refugios#refugios-in-torres-del-paine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">refugios<\/a> such as Los Cuernos or Domo Frances have wood-burning stoves that keep the main areas toasty. In fact, Refugio Central even comes with central heating which is incredible given the location. The refugios are all clean and well-presented, and the beds are comfortable. Not to do the refugios a disservice, but after a long day of trekking, almost any bed feels pretty good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People craving a warm shower won\u2019t be disappointed either. The showers are always hot and the refugios come with flushing toilets. Yes, the plumbing can occasionally play up, especially if there are lots of trekkers staying at once, but this is not surprising given how remote the refugios are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the more well-appointed refugios even come with games rooms and USB charging banks for your electronic equipment. If not, some of the staff allow you to charge your phone up behind the bar or reception. If you do, I would recommend paying a small tip of around $2-5 USD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want or need to contact your loved ones or speak to work colleagues, most refugios will have the option to purchase WiFi which is generally the same price as you would pay at an airport. Don\u2019t expect lightning-fast speeds, but it should be quick enough to get the job done.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Camping is sometimes better<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_800,h_600\/https:\/\/blog.swoop-adventures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_9783-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"Orange tents pitched on wooden decks on stilts down a steep woodland hillside\" class=\"wp-image-1311\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pre-pitched tents at Refugio Chileno<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not familiar with the set up you might be wondering what campsites have got to do with refugios. Refugios also have a campground on the same site, and the tents act like additional rooms. All the key elements you need for your stay \u2013 such as showers, toilets and hot meals \u2013 operate out of the refugios, whether you\u2019re sleeping in the dorms or under canvas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a long day\u2019s hike, a good night\u2019s sleep in a warm bed can often seem more appealing than bedding down in a tent. Having tried both options countless times, I can confidently say that camping is actually a great way to experience <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/chile\/torres-del-paine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Torres del Paine<\/a>. Don\u2019t disregard camping right away, even if it\u2019s not your immediate inclination, you may be as surprised and delighted as many of the guests who I had the pleasure of guiding were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best things about camping on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/chile\/torres-del-paine\/hiking\/w-trek\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">W Trek<\/a> is that the tents are already pitched for you prior to arriving at your campsite. This fact alone suddenly makes camping more appealing in my opinion. When you add a nice soft sleeping pad and warm sleeping bag, camping suddenly seems glorious \u2013 to be cosy and at one with nature around you simultaneously. You\u2019ll also find you have far more privacy if you\u2019re travelling as a couple or you\u2019re wanting to get away from the more social side of the refugios. The tents generally sleep two people but are designed for three, which means you get plenty of space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The campsites are beautiful, with tents spread out through the forest like small woodland homes. It also gives you a greater sense of adventure and, of course, bragging rights that you have camped in Patagonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_800,h_600\/https:\/\/blog.swoop-adventures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_9714-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"Yellow tents pitched in a woodland in Patagonia\" class=\"wp-image-1310\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Arrive to pre-pitched tents and feel at one with nature<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>My favorite campsite is located at Camp Grey. Some parts extend into the forest and there is flat ground for a comfortable sleep. The bathrooms are close by and when it\u2019s quiet you can sometimes hear the thundering of ice as it calves off the nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/visit\/glaciers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glacier Grey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. The lodge workers live there and are essential to your trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_800,h_600\/https:\/\/blog.swoop-adventures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_9784-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"A rustic building in Torres del Paine National Park\" class=\"wp-image-1312\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Refugio Chileno workers developing the outdoor area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the things that surprised me most when I first began <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/chile\/torres-del-paine\/hiking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trekking in Torres del Paine<\/a> was the fact that the refugio workers actually live in these locations permanently. I was also impressed by how hard they work. They are generally the first people on-site to get up and the last to go to bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The camping receptionist, for example, is not only responsible for reception. Other responsibilities include cleaning, fixing, moving and pitching tents, cleaning the camping bathrooms each morning and evening, managing payments of rented gear, cleaning the \u201cquincho\u201d cooking equipment, explaining the regulations to each camper upon arrival, and making sure everyone is following the rules throughout their stay. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The chefs have to be completely adaptable as ingredients tend to come and go and deliveries are often delayed. Therefore, cooking a meal for 100 people without the required ingredients means thinking on your feet quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the refugio and camping staff are fascinating people and have chosen to work in Torres del Paine to explore the national park, learn English and gain more experience in their chosen field such as hospitality, cookery or customer service. I always take the time to get to know the staff. They tend to come from all over Chile and all have amazing backgrounds and stories. It\u2019s always nice to see familiar faces as a trekking guide, especially when you are a frequent visitor to the lodges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Refugios are great social hubs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_800,h_600\/https:\/\/blog.swoop-adventures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_9925-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"People relaxing in the restaurant of a rustic hiking hostel in Patagonia\" class=\"wp-image-1319\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Relaxing in the restaurant at Refugio Grey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Refugios are the perfect places to unwind and relax after a long day on the trails. Hikers from all over the area gather around communal tables for dinner and share stories over a beer or two. This is also the time in which your guide will bring out special treats for you and your group to make your breakfast and packed lunch the following day a little fresher and tastier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have the energy, then chatting to other hikers in the bar or communal areas is a great way of connecting with different people from all over the world and sharing stories. Many of the refugios have some games available and I\u2019ve been embroiled in many a battle of Jenga late into the night. I had a group introduce me to the game Bananagrams on one W Trek I completed. I became so addicted to the game during our five days together that they ended up giving the game to me as a gift at the end of the trek! I still play it all the time and will always be reminded of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Get packing!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter when you decide to visit or which refugios you stay in, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/chile\/torres-del-paine\/hiking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trekking in Torres del Paine National Park<\/a> will be an unforgettable experience. Everyone you meet along the way will brighten your journey and you\u2019ll come away with a bunch more friends than you started with.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Known as the land of fire and ice, Patagonia\u2019s untamed wilderness conjures up images of vast and windswept steppes, towering waterfalls and lush forests. The extreme weather of the region is matched only by its stunning scenery and diverse wildlife. After my first trip here I was hooked. Patagonia, for me, was the ultimate trekking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":199882,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[310],"tags":[25,92,134,251,293],"class_list":["post-199880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-planning-and-tips","tag-accommodation","tag-day-hike","tag-hiking","tag-torres-del-paine","tag-w-trek"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 things you probably didn&#039;t know about the refugios in Torres del Paine - Swoop Patagonia Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Your essential guide to staying in refugios when hiking in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-refugios-in-torres-del-paine\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 things you probably didn&#039;t know about the refugios in Torres del Paine - Swoop Patagonia Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Your essential guide to staying in refugios when hiking in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-refugios-in-torres-del-paine\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Swoop Patagonia Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-06-09T13:03:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-31T11:19:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Torres-del-Paine-refugion.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"700\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sarah Schneider\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sarah Schneider\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-refugios-in-torres-del-paine\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-refugios-in-torres-del-paine\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sarah Schneider\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/1e255e3a8817eb3f3862e0e6ba8e0b0d\"},\"headline\":\"5 things you probably didn&#8217;t know about the refugios in Torres del Paine\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-06-09T13:03:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-31T11:19:27+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-refugios-in-torres-del-paine\/\"},\"wordCount\":1744,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"accommodation\",\"Day Hike\",\"Hiking\",\"Torres del Paine\",\"W Trek\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Planning &amp; 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