Excursions from Hotel Lago Grey

This classic voyage is one of the most captivating excursions within Torres del Paine National Park. Boarding our well-equipped vessel, the Grey III, you will embark on a three-hour journey amidst a marvellous landscape of lush greenery and imposing mountains. After an hour of sailing, the ship reaches the spectacular face of the Grey Glacier. Standing over 25 metres high, this colossal wall of ancient ice showcases intense blue colours, unique sculptural shapes, and mysterious rumblings echoing from deep within. The vessel features a comfortable main cabin for 98 passengers and an outdoor deck to experience the elements first-hand.

Half-Day | 3 Hours | Easy

We drive for approximately 45 minutes towards the centre of the national park to begin our hike. This straightforward trek reaches a maximum altitude of 400 metres above sea level (starting at 45 metres), offering incredible views of the Paine River and the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé set against the dramatic Paine Massif. If you are lucky, you may spot majestic Andean condors soaring overhead; parent birds often use the local conglomerate rock formations as a platform to teach their juveniles how to fly or to rest on calmer days.

Half-Day | 2.5 Hours | Easy | 2.8 miles (4.5 km)

Following a 45-minute drive to the trailhead, we begin a gentle trek across the classic Patagonian steppe. The trail is home to distinctive native flora, including Calafate (Berberis Microphylla) and Mata Barrosa (Mulinum Spinosum), interspersed with the stark, silver-burnt trunks of Lenga (Nothofagus Pumilio) and Ñirre (Nothofagus Antarctica) forests from the 2011 fire. The path leads to a spectacular viewpoint of Lake Nordenskjöld with the mighty Horns of Paine (Cuernos) rising behind. You will also enjoy views of Paine Grande to the left and Mount Admiral Nieto to the right. On our return, we take a short detour to stand beside the roaring Great Fall (Salto Grande).

Half-Day | 3 Hours | Easy | 3.4 miles (5.5 km)

An excellent, high-energy option starting close to the hotel. This challenging ascent tackles a steep, 60-degree incline to gain altitude quickly, reaching 700 metres above sea level. After crossing the river, the trail enters a beautiful, windswept Lenga forest. Your efforts are rewarded at the summit with spectacular, far-reaching panoramic views of the Grey and Pingo glaciers, floating icebergs, the Paine Range, the Paine River, and the vast waters of Lake Toro.

Half-Day | 5 Hours | Hard | 6.2 miles (10 km)

Setting off on foot directly from the hotel, we follow the Pingo River along a relatively flat path with gentle undulations. We soon enter a pristine forest that completely escaped the park's recent fires, offering clear views of Paine Grande and Cordón Olguín. This exclusive trail—accessible only when accompanied by a certified hotel guide—leads to the "Chorrillo Los Salmones" waterfall, named after the native salmon that can occasionally be spotted navigating the rushing currents downstream.

Half-Day | 4 Hours | Moderate | 4.0 miles (6.5 km)

A short walk from the hotel brings us to the Grey Ranger Station (Guardería Grey), where we spend a peaceful few minutes wandering through a typical Magellanic Lenga forest, listening to local birdsong and spotting regional flora. Emerging onto the black-sand beach of Grey Lake, we can admire the scale and striking shapes of the floating blue icebergs before heading along the peninsula for a breathtaking, classic view of the Grey Glacier in the distance.

Half-Day | 2.5 Hours | Easy | 3.4 miles (5.5 km)

Suitable for almost everyone, this gentle trail is a fantastic choice if you have a couple of free hours and want a rewarding, shorter trek. Located near the CONAF administrative centre—about a 30-minute drive from the hotel—the trail offers sweeping panoramic views of the magnificent Paine Massif to the north and the expansive Lake Toro (the region's largest lake) to the south. Along the way, your guide will share historical insights whilst introducing you to the area's rich variety of bird and plant life.

Half-Day | 2 Hours | Easy | 2.8 miles (4.5 km)

The perfect full-day excursion for those who wish to experience the very best of Torres del Paine with minimal physical effort. After starting at the visitor centre to learn about this magnificent World Biosphere Reserve, we head to the thundering Salto Grande waterfall, which frames views of the highest peak in the range, Paine Grande. From there, we walk to the Lake Nordenskjöld viewpoint to admire the Horns up close, before continuing to the Amarga Lagoon sector to view the Paine River Falls and the classic towers. We finish our loop on the other side of the park with a scenic picnic lunch beside the peaceful waters of Laguna Azul.

Full-Day | 7 Hours | Easy

The park's most famous and demanding day hike, rewarding those who tackle it with up-close views of the three iconic granite towers. The trail begins with a steady, one-hour climb alongside the Ascencio River to the windswept Paso de los Vientos, followed by a gentler stretch to the Chileno Refuge. The final hour is the most rigorous: a steep, zigzagging scramble over a loose rocky glacial moraine exposed to unpredictable weather. If conditions permit, we will enjoy lunch directly in front of the Towers and their turquoise lagoon before beginning the challenging four-hour descent.

Full-Day | 8 Hours | Hard | 7.5 miles (12 km)

We set off early from the hotel, walking along the Pingo River past the Chorrillo Los Salmones waterfall before heading deep into the Pingo Valley. Because trail access here is strictly regulated and requires a certified guide, you will experience an incredibly pristine forest untouched by past fires, which serves as a protected haven for local flora and fauna. After a steady hike of climbs and descents—which can become soft and muddy when it rains—we emerge at the roaring Pingo Waterfall to enjoy lunch and a well-deserved rest in the quiet wilderness.

Full-Day | 8.5 Hours | Hard | 8.1 miles (13 km)

An early-morning drive brings us to our trailhead, where you will immediately be greeted by resident herds of wild guanacos. This gentle trail is recommended for everyone and offers a fantastic opportunity to photograph condors, grey foxes, and perhaps even the elusive puma. A fascinating highlight of this trek is the chance to view ancient Aonikenk cave paintings preserved on the rock walls. We complete our journey at Lake Sarmiento, whose unique waters serve as a living sanctuary for thrombolites—some of the most primitive, ancient life forms on the planet.

Full-Day | 6 Hours | Moderate

We begin with a drive to Portería Laguna Verde before continuing to the historic Estancia Lazo, the starting point of this exceptional trek. Walking through ancient native forests and past quiet lagoons home to a diverse array of Patagonian birdlife, you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the park. The trek culminates at the dramatic Lake Toro lookout point, followed by a steep descent where trekking poles (provided by your guide) are highly recommended.

Full-Day | 6 Hours | Hard