Day hikes in Torres del Paine

The W Trek is celebrated at Torres del Paine's most famous multi-day trek, but it can also be equally enjoyed by breaking it up into three separate day hikes.

The first day hike is the iconic Base of the Towers hike to the grand granite towers that give the park its name. The second day hike is through the beautiful French Valley, famous for its hanging glaciers and winding river. The third day hike is to the Grey Peninsula for quite astonishing views of the Grey Glacier as it descends into Lago Grey. Kayaking among icebergs here is apopular day excursion.

While most people do the W Trek hiking from east to west, doing it as a series of day hikes allows you to pick and mix how to experience it.

The western part of Torres del Paine feels very remote and quiet compared to the W Trek. You may only meet a handful of hikers here, allowing you to birdwatch and perhaps even spot the elusive Huemul deer. 

The Pingo Valley hike winds through open valleys and forests, eventually opening up to stunning views of the impressive Southern Ice Cap. If your legs are up for a challenge, nearby is the climb up to Mirador Ferrier, a two-hour steep trail up to a lookout over the Glacier Grey and the Paine Massif.

A major bonus here is that you can enjoy the views in peace, have a leisurely lunch undisturbed at the base of a waterfall, or stop for that perfect shot without anyone stepping into your photo.

The east of Torres del Paine is full of lakes, all surrounded by fantastic walking trails that lead up to fabulous lookout points. It’s the colours of the lakes which make them special, each one has a unique tint, from milky blue to deep turquoise. The panoramic views from the lookouts stretch all the way to the Paine Massif, so you can get a whole new perspective on the huge granite monoliths that made the park famous.

These hikes – along Lago Pehoé, Lago Sarmiento, Laguna Azul and more – vary in difficulty. They start from the easy ramble of the fauna walk, where the solitude gives a good chance of spotting a puma, to the more challenging Cerro Paine hike, with its priceless view of the Towers without the crowds.

The far northeast of Torres del Paine offers a complete contrast to the rest of the national park. It’s dry and rugged, with the red and orange Sierra Baguales mountain range stretching into the distance, dotted with green valleys and dark lava flows.

There are no formal trails here – this is an area where you can be completely free to roam and explore into the wild. As well as the striking landscapes, this is a terrific place for a spot of amateur fossil hunting. Guides can take you to some of the best spots where this land was underwater 40 million years ago, to look for ancient shark teeth and mollusc shells.

Torres del Paine offers some of the best luxury accommodation in Patagonia, with lodges here offering the ultimate fully inclusive experience.

Expert guides can take you out on a diverse range of day hikes (and other activities) in your own private vehicle and share their insights on the park as you follow the hiking trails. At the end of the day you can retire in supreme comfort, enjoying a spa treatment, a gourmet dinner of locally-sourced food or just a glass of wine brought to you as you enjoy the views over the park.

There are only a handful of hotels in Torres del Paine, catering to a variety of budgets. Each is well-located for some of the park's most popular day hikes, including at the trailhead for the Base of the Towers hike, to views of Lago Grey to the serenity of the Serrano River. 

Torres del Paine's hotels offer quite different experiences; some are perfect for relaxing in a simple, traditional space, while others have a grander, busier feel. All offer daily excursions to the hiking trails as well as other activities. 

If you want to be close to nature but still enjoy some creature comforts and a cosy bed, Torres del Paine has three eco-friendly glamping sites.

All equally charming, the three vary in style and location. One offers stunning geodesic domes in the heart of the park, another has luxury yurts on the shores of a private lane, while the third has bell tents on the Serrano River overlooked by the Paine Massif.