Hiking in Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego is a land of extremes. Swathes of isolated steppe are punctuated with windswept trees, endless peat bogs and craggy outcrops crowned with glaciers. Here is …
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The O Circuit is the perfect challenge for experienced hikers looking for some of the best trails in Torres del Paine. It takes the route of the classic W Trek, then pushes out in a remote and rugged loop, crossing dramatic mountain passes to get close to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Hiking to the Towers
Hiking to Glacier Grey
The French Valley hike
The O Circuit follows an anticlockwise loop around the Paine Massif, starting at Refugio Torre or Paine Grande. It visits the three valleys of the W Trek, as well as taking in the quieter trails in the northern part of the park. The main highlights of the O Circuit are:
The O Circuit operates a 7-9 day guided camping trip for experienced hikers. Those looking for even more of a challenge can add in the tough but spectacular Oggioni Pass, which lies just off the O Circuit's main trail
112km | 69.5 miles
7 days
Elevation gain: +13,618ft/4,151m
Elevation loss: -13,945ft/4,250m
Whatever the time of year, dress for four seasons in a single day, with a windproof and waterproof jacket and warm layers including a warm hat, neck gaiter (buff) and windproof gloves. Waterproof hiking boots that support your ankles are a must,
Your backpack must be large enough to fit in your sleeping bag and sleeping mat as well as your personal items (tents are provided in the campsites on guided trips). Trekking poles are strongly recommended.
You can rent gear for your trek (including waterproofs and trekking poles) in Puerto Natales.
Hiking up the Ascencio Valley
The O Circuit is aimed at experienced trekkers with a high level of fitness. You’ll need to be prepared to carry a rucksack under a variety of different (and often harsh) weather conditions, walking around 12 miles (19 km) a day over a week.
The John Gardner Pass in particular can be a challenging ascent. The optional Oggioni Pass extension to the circuit is a very tough hike that should only be considered by those with a very high level of fitness.
As a whole, the walking is not technical, but there are steep climbs to the Mirador Torres and French Valley viewpoints. The first day of the hike to the Base of the Towers involves an ascent of around 3000 feet (900 m).
Bridge crossing near John Gardner Pass
One of the great rewards to reaching Glacier Grey the long way round on the O Circuit is the treat of experiencing it from another angle: ice hiking on its back or paddling to it face in a kayak
The O Circuit Trek trips scored 4.2/5 from 205 reviews
The guides and the circuit itself were amazing. The refugios were organized and though camping is not my ideal type of accommodation, it was necessary to access this wonderful environment. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2023
Ivey Bueno - USA
The trek led through very diversified and unique landscapes. I was in a good company of two great professional guides, Mauricio and Juaquin and enjoyed time with complete strangers, who very soon became good friends. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2023
Krystyna Tatarkiewicz - USA
Amazing nature, good hiking experience, camp sites are great, food arrangements (except lunch sandwiches) are amazing. Guides & porters were super friendly. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Prasad Sudhakar Deshmukh - USA
The trail is stunning, the logistics were smooth and the guides and group was superb. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Helena Atkinson - South Africa
I’m so glad we did the O Circuit rather than the W, I really enjoyed the peace around the back of the trail. The trail itself was as described and amenities were fantastic Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Kim Heighway - New Zealand
You can't describe it any other way than just breathtaking and amazing. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Robert Gung - USA
Everything was seamless once we arrived and well organised before. The guides were excellent; well informed, friendly and went the extra mile at every occasion. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Nicholas Hops - South Africa
The route was breathtaking around the circuit. The days were long and challenging but well worth it. It is great to do the O circuit on the quieter and more remote trails before joining up with the W which is a lot more busy. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Nicholas Hops - South Africa
I was definitely tired and cold. I remember seeing the group resting and waiting for me to come up over the pass. When I reached them I couldn’t contain my emotions. I burst into tears. It was so unbelievably beautiful. How lucky I was that I was physically able to see this wonder. So many people will never get get the chance to experience this… and I counted my blessings and thanks. Read the full review
Travelled: November 2022
Cortney Peterson - USA
This circuit was unbelievable and exceeded all of my expectations! It was amazing and I highly recommend this circuit. Read the full review
Travelled: November 2022
Marissa DeKraker - USA
Most memorable was walking over the John Gardner pass in 100km an hour winds on the O Circuit and seeing Grey Glacier. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2022
Melanie Ford - UK
It was honestly so amazing to be out there without any distractions, doing something I never thought I’d be able to do. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2022
Amy Hoffmann - USA
All I can say is O.M.G! If you ever thought hiking was redundant, do this trek! Every day brought something completely different from hiking up to peaks, through the forest, following the valley, along watersides, you name it - it was on this circuit. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2022
Amy Hoffmann - USA
Guide and porters were super. O trek is an incredible journey; scenery can’t be beat. Trip of a lifetime. Read the full review
Travelled: January 2022
Barbara McCleary - USA
Difficult to put into words but it's was almost like the French Valley and Towers were the 'dessert courses' of this trek whereas the main course was in the previous days... with the more challenging terrain, weather and a glimpse of the vast expanse of ice which contributes to the uniqueness of this part of the world. So for me I came away feeling thoroughly sated... like this trek had given me a taste of the full menu! Read the full review
Travelled: January 2022
Nick Partridge - UK
The first viewpoint on day 2 really blew me away. I saw a glacier calve at Perros Camp which was unreal. Obviously Lago Grey, French Valley, and the towers all made me so grateful to be in the park on this trip. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2021
Michael Pellegrino - USA
I would suggest training a bit and being active before the trip to get the most out of it. Make sure you have boots you are comfortable with and a good windbreaker. Also, bring snacks. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2021
Michael Pellegrino - USA
Tape your feet to prevent the blisters. Read the full review
Travelled: November 2021
Kendra Barnett - USA
Every turn in the trail, every hill you climb is a memorable one. However, coming down the Gardner Pass and seeing the majestic Grey Glacier is impossible to describe. Read the full review
Travelled: March 2020
Conceição Farias - United States Of America
We loved your assistance in planning our trip through Patagonia. I am capable to driving in foreign countries, but your assistance in transportation meant I could take more photos, watch more scenery, skip through long lines, avoid the hassle and worry of renting a car. Read the full review
Travelled: January 2020
Steven Ray - USA
Really enjoyed the full circuit although it was pretty busy in the more mainstream areas. I prefer the wilderness camping element so my favourite part was days 2 to 6, especially the John Gardner pass day. The guide was really knowledgeable and the camps were excellent. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2018
Amil Patel - United Kingdom
The circuit trek in Torre del Paine was by far the highlight. The remoteness and the untouched nature were amazing. Both of our guides on the hikes were amazing! The simple and quiet beauty is what we will remember forever.
Travelled: December 2017
Erin - USA
One of the things I loved about the circuit was the variety. Hiking through the forests, the valleys, the beautiful plains, over the passes, alongside glacier fields were all highlights. I also loved seeing the mountains in different perspectives throughout the hike.
Travelled: December 2017
Tim - USA
The highlight of the trek was going over the John Gardner pass and then seeing the enormous ice fields and Grey Glacier. I did not realize how big they were, now I do. The Full Circuit met our expectations and so glad we did this and not the W because that is so crowded.
Travelled: November 2017
Trina - USA
The varying landscapes of the O circuit was breathtaking - mountains, rivers, forests, glacier lakes, valleys, and meadows. We didn't realise how different every hike would be.
Travelled: January 2017
Julie -
We were so happy to complete the full circuit. Our guide was knowledgable and helpful and let us keep a comfortable pace. Logistics at the campsites worked out great.
Travelled: January 2017
Urszula - USA
The Full Circuit was even better than I expected, especially the trekking outside of W: less people, smaller campgrounds with better food and nice people. Our guide was amazing.
Travelled: December 2016
Aude -
Our Patagonia trip was amazing – thank you so much for your help with booking it! Our guide was THE best! Could not recommend her more highly. There was so much beauty everywhere.
Travelled: February 2016
Cali -
Review:
For avid hikers, Torres del Paine is a key destination to tick off the bucket list, but it’s not the only national park where you can hit the trail: Patagonia as a whole offers some of the best hiking in the world.
Across the Argentinian border in Los Glaciares, the Huemul Circuit offers a similar challenge to the O Circuit, or you can test yourself on the epically tough Southern Patagonian Ice Field Expedition (El Chaltén also offers numerous easy day hikes around Mount Fitzroy if you want to take things easy).
For equally rugged trekking, Tierra del Fuego and Aysen offer exciting frontiers with wild mountains and empty trails, including the Dientes de Navarino and Cerro Castillo treks respectively. .
The Humuel Circuit in Los Glaciares
The O Circuit is is a circular trail route that follows an anticlockwise route through the heart of Torres del Paine National Park.
The O Circuit includes the route of the W Trek, taking in the key highlights of the park, including the Base of the Towers, then explores the more remote northern side of Torres del Paine, to give views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the Grey Glacier.
The O Circuit is completed in an anticlockwise direction, as the challenging John Gardner Pass it considered too steep to hike from the opposite direction.
The classic O Circuit is around 70 miles (112 km) in length. It involves
The classic circuit trek involves walking up to 12 miles (20 km) a day for seven days, carrying a pack of 22-33 pounds (10-15kg). The trek is not technical or at high altitude, but requires a good level of fitness.
Typically, the O Circuit takes seven days to complete, but it can be extended by adding in the Oggioni Pass, taking in an even more remote part of Torres del Paine. This adds in an extra level of toughness to the trek, and should only be considered by experienced hikers with an extra level of fitness.
We help lots of solo travellers organise their hiking trips to Torres del Paine every year, with scheduled groups trips organised by our local operators, as well as putting like-minded hikers together to create more flexible itineraries.
Let us know when you're going and we'll happily find a trek or a group to suit you.
While it is possible to walk the O Circuit unguided, we strongly recommend using a guide can really add to your trip.
While safety and navigation are an important part of what a guide offers (especially on the more remote northern parts of the trail), a guide will bring your trek to life with their knowledge of the wildlife, history, geography and culture in this part of Patagonia.
The O Circuit is a camping trek. On most nights, hikers stay in the campsites attached to refugios, particular when following the section of the route that matches the W Trek. This allows campers to use the refugio facilities. On more remote parts of the trek, the campsites are far more basic.
On organised treks, all camping equipment is provided, including sleeping bags and mats.
Wild camping is not permitted on the O Circuit, or anywhere in Torres del Paine.
The end of December and early January are the busiest times in Torres del Paine. Accommodations gets booked up by the end of September, flights arriving at this time can be more expensive if you leave it late and there will be more people on the trails.
The W Trek section of the O Circuit can be particularly busy at this time, though the rest of the circuit is much quieter. However, it is definitely worth considering the shoulder months or the low season if your schedule is flexible.
No. The O Circuit is closed during winter. Much of the trail is shut due to snow.
It is still possible to hike the W Trek in winter, although not as s
The W Trek remains open through the winter for guided groups only. It's a special time to be in Torres del Paine, as visitors have the park almost completely to themselves.
More more information, see our page about visiting Torres del Paine in winter.
The O Circuit contains the complete W Trek in its itinerary, so if you opt for the 'O' then you'll automatically hike the 'W' as well.
While the W Trek visits each of the park's main highlights in 4-5 days, the O Circuit Trek is for more experienced hikers aiming to get a little more remote and spend 7-9 days trekking. You'll see the classic sights and then loop around the northern side of the park, where you'll have views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the Grey Glacier.
Tierra del Fuego is a land of extremes. Swathes of isolated steppe are punctuated with windswept trees, endless peat bogs and craggy outcrops crowned with glaciers. Here is …
Discover MoreArgentina's Los Glaciares is full of jagged granite mountains, electric-blue lakes and sparkling glaciers: perfect for anything from short day hikes to epic wilderness treks.
Discover MoreWith seven national parks and an abundance of volcanoes, ancient forest trails and lake views to enjoy, this region of Chile is perfect hiking country.
Discover MoreDramatic snow-capped mountains, glistening glacial lakes and lush forested valleys make for superb trekking in this unsung region. Explore the fantastic hiking routes in Aysen's …
Discover MoreImpartial advice and a bespoke service to make your trip perfect.
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