Everything you need to know about hiking in Patagonia. From trekking in Torres del Paine to El Chalten and everywhere in between, this list of the best hikes in Patagonia will help you plan your big adventure!
Often and widely considered as having the most breathtaking, scenic landscapes in the world, trekking in Patagonia is every hiker’s dream, whether it is for the avid day hiker to the seasoned, experienced multi-day trekker.
Patagonia is a land of dreams, ranging from the raging rivers of the Rio Moscu to the iceberg glacial lakes of Tigre Sur.
The hiking routes take you from lush meadows of wild flowers to snowy-rugged peaks at the base of the world famous Mount Fitz Roy.
Just the thought of hiking in Torres Del Paine National Park sends shivers down my spine. Ever wanted to visit one of the world’s most famous granite peaks? Cerro Torre in Patagonia is your place to do so.
The Best Time to Go Hiking in Patagonia
Early November until late April are generally the best times to go hiking in Patagonia, however this can change from year to year due to varying amounts of snowfall.
Not a fan of the cold? Try and head there in February and March for the warmer months for some great Patagonia trekking.
Also it’s necessary to know that weather in Patagonia is so varied and can change at any time, which can very quickly alter your Patagonia hiking trip. Keep that in mind when planning your adventure.
Hiking according to the seasons in Patagonia has both pros and cons no matter what time of year you decide to go, so if you were going to pick a time, aim for the end of March to mid-April, where weather seems to be slightly cooler but more stable allowing you to enjoy Patagonia in all its glory.
But the best reason for visiting Patagonia at that time of year is to see the entire region in autumn colours! Simply breathtaking.
Hiking In Torres del Paine National Park
When it come to hiking in Patagonia, no trip would be complete without spending at least a few days in Torres del Paine National Park, the crown jewel of Chile.
Whether you’re interested in just heading into the park for a day hike, using one of the accommodations inside the park as a base (we personally recommend EcoCamp), or carrying all of your camping gear and completing the famous O Circuit, you definitely won’t be disappointed with the trekking here.
Hiking to Mirador Las Torres
- Time Required: 8 to 9 hours
- Distance: 18km
- Difficulty: Hard
- Start / Finish Points: Hotel Las Torres
Widely considered to be the most popular day hike in Torres del Paine, Mirador Las Torres is just one of the magical places you can hike to when in Torres del Paine.
Las Torres translated to English means ‘The Towers’, and mirador means ‘Lookout’, so you should have an idea of what to expect up there.
The Towers are a series of 3 jagged peaks that literally tower over a turquoise lake below, and chances are you’ve already seen a photo of them at least once in your life.
This particular trek is 18 kilometres of visual delights, despite it being considered as a difficult hike, and the views once you reach the top are just awesome!
Most of the trek is uphill, but don’t let that put you off this classic day hike, as cascading waterfalls, forests beaming with life and boulder fields dominating the higher landscapes and just waiting for you to enjoy.
The last hour is extremely steep, so make sure you save some energy for the final slog.
If you are after a really magical experience spend the night in the park and start hiking up in the dark. If the weather cooperates you’ll be rewarded with Las Torres looking as though they’re on fire with the red sun lighting them up at sunrise.
Las Torres is a hiker’s dream, and if you could only choose one trek in the whole of Patagonia, this would be it! Return via the same way you climbed, starting and finishing at the Hotel Las Torres.
Prefer to hike with a guide? Book your Mirador Las Torres tour here with Get Your Guide.
Lago Grey (Grey Glacier)
- Time Required: 3 to 4 hours
- Distance: 11 kilometres
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Start / Finish Points: Mountain Lodge Paine Grande to Refugio Grey
As you might know there are quite a few glaciers in Patagonia (you can even visit some on an amazing glacier cruise in the Chilean fjords), but this one takes the cake as the best of the best.
Along the famous “W” Trek, towards the western part of the hike, is a long section that follows the Lago Grey lake, which is gradually fed by a huge glacier known as Glaciar Grey.
Here you can expect to see pale blue icebergs floating around in the Lago Grey, as parts of Glaciar Grey collapse into the lake below and it’s a spectacular sight to see!
From Refugio Grey to Mountain Lodge Paine Grande is a 3 to 4 hour hike spanning over 11 kilometres, with little ascent or descent making it a fairly easy day out.
Expect to see vast areas of vegetation, wild flowers and the odd section of track that requires a tricky traverse but nothing too major. Keep an eye out for the majestic Cerro Torre piercing the sky.
Camping is available at Mountain Lodge Paine Grande and Refugio Grey if you want to spend the night there. Otherwise take the ferry to Paine Grande or Refugio Grey and start walking.
Alesha enjoying the view over Grey Glacier.
The French Valley – Valle Del Frances
- Time Required: 3 to 4 hours
- Distance: 12km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start / Finish Points: Refugio Los Cuernos
You always have energy in Patagonia, even when you are literally falling asleep, so don’t miss this epic side trip that takes you between the Cerro Paine Grande and the Cuernos del Paine following the flowing river of the Rio Frances.
Why this hike is the one of the most spectacular side trips is because it has frozen waterfalls…how cool is that?!
READ MORE: We’ve just published our best hiking tips after 15 years trekking!
Also pretty dangerous though, so don’t be getting your ice picks out too soon, because there are views much higher up that you can enjoy, such as the 15 minute trek past the Campamento Britanico placing you in an almost cathedral of mountains.
The Mirador right towards the end is complete with a series of tarns beaming the reflections of the surrounding mountains making it that ideal moment to getting that camera of yours out! Camping is available (minus the facilities of toilets etc). Return the same way you came.
Los Cuernos Trail
- Time Required: 6 hours
- Distance: 22km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start / Finish Points: Hotel Las Torres to Refugio Los Cuernos
Based along the front half of the park, home to the W Trek, is a fantastic day hike weaving around a series of steep banks perched along the edges of the Lago Nordenskjold.
Los Cuernos Trail, which means ‘The Horns’ in English and named after the mountains you can see that are shaped like horns, is a beautiful stretch offering views of the Cuernos del Paine, which never cease to amaze, and gorgeous vistas over the lake.
If you still have bounce in your step when you finish the trail, consider a side trips up the Valle del Frances, an additional 12 kilometre stunning section of track.
Plenty of camping is available on the south side of Cuernos Del Paine if you prefer to take more time on this hike (just keep in mind it gets quite windy in these camp spots).
The “O” Circuit
- Time Required: 6-8 days
- Distance: 135km
- Difficulty: Hard
- Start / Finish Points – Hotel Las Torres
Defined as one of the best treks on earth, the Paine Circuit, commonly known to the hiking world as the “O” Circuit due to its shape on a map, is a must do if you have a sense of adventure.
The circuit literally has it all, from pristine forests, meadows of native wild flowers to the grand peaks of Cerro Paine and Cuernos del Paine…and let’s not forget the addition of Las Torres along the eastern side of the trek.
You are best off starting at Hotel Las Torres and heading to Campamento Seron, where views of Cerro Paine (1,508 metres) dominate your surrounds along with rivers flowing off Lago Paine.
Once you connect with the track along the Rio de los Perros, mountains begin to pop-up more frequently along with glaciers, but be sure to pitch your tent at the campsite on Lago Dickinson, as views here are some of the best along the hike.
As you continue to be blown away by Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine (hopefully not by the wind), you find yourself on the trail that begins the “W” trek, which is the shorter, more popular sister of the O Circuit, which begins at Refugio Grey camping area.
Finishing the “O” circuit adds side trips along the French Valley (a must-do hike) and up to Las Torres to watch the sunrise, then heading back down to where you started.
If you want to finish on an alternative route, from Mountain Lodge Paine Grande you can hike along the Rio Grey to the Lago del Toro administration centre.
Trekking In El Chalten
While Torres del Paine is the most popular place to go hiking in Patagonia, the truth is El Chalten is the place that will steal most people’s hearts.
Across the border in Argentina, further north of Perito Moreno and its amazing glacier, is a tiny village called El Chalten that sits in the middle of Los Glaciares National Park.
What makes El Chalten so epic is that not only is entrance to the national park free (yes!!!), all of the hikes start from right in the middle of the village.
So once you’ve finished ticking off the quintessential Torres del Paine treks, head off to tackle some of the best hikes in El Chalten!
Short Hike to Condor Lookout
- Time Required: 1 hour
- Distance: 2km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start / Finish Points: El Chaten
Based out of El Chaten is one of the shortest hikes in Patagonia, which mostly consists of a gradual ascent to views from Las Aguilas.
Just because it’s short doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. The views are quite unexpected, as Viedma Lake appears with a backdrop of stunning, ever-covered mountains of snow.
This is a great hike to do for sunrise in case you don’t feel like camping out in the middle of the park. Return the same way you came.
Day Hike To The Base Of Mount Fitz Roy – Laguna De Los Tres
- Time Required: 8 hours
- Distance: 26km
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
- Start / Finish Points: Northwest end of El Chalten
This hike will be the one that takes you as close as you can get to the foothill of Mt Fitz Roy, and one of the best hikes in El Chalten.
It’s best off to start early to enjoy the morning alpine glow on the peaks above, but that could be said of most treks in Patagonia.
The trail is pretty mellow to begin with, and there are a few narrow sections through forests which are lovely. Then the hard part comes.
Zig-zagging up and up for the last hour, you will finally reach Laguna de los Tres, with the most epic views of Mt Fitz Roy soaring above you!
Depending how skilled you are in the mountains, there is a climb that proceeds up the peak of Cerro Madsen (1,806 metres) for even better views of Fitz Roy.
Return the same way you came to head back to El Chalten, unless you are deciding to camp at Campamento Poincenot.
Prefer to have a guide? Book your Mount Fitz Roy tour here with Get Your Guide.
Day Hike To Cerro Torre
- Time Required: 2 days (can be done as a day hike)
- Distance: 19km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start / Finish Points: El Chalten
A perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with Cerro Torre, reaching into the sky at 3102 metres, can be done as a day hike, but I think it’s pretty cool to take refuge at Campamento de Agostini at the base of Laguna Torre.
This 2-day trek is a culmination of lush meadows, rugged ever-changing glaciers and stunning views of Cerro Torre and its surround snowcapped peaks.
As a side trip, opt for the Mirador Maestri lookout which will add an additional 5 kilometres to your adventure. At Mirador Maestri be prepared for uninterrupted views of Cerro Torre in all its glory!
On return, head back the same way you came with views looking down the Rio Fitz Roy (a glaciated river from Glaciar Torre).
Prefer to have a guide? Book your Cerro Torre tour here with Get Your Guide.
The Best Hikes Along The Carretera Austral
One of the least-visited parts of Patagonia is the long, narrow strip of coastline that makes up the bottom part of Chile.
While most people will make it to Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales, few cross back into the country and continue along the epic highway known as the Carretera Austral.
Public transport is just about non-existent along this long, rugged road, which leaves people to either hitchhike or self-drive between the towns.
When winter comes the place all but shuts down, so that leaves a big part of Chile that not many people see. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check it out!
The Carretera Austral has some insane landscapes and gorgeous mountains and lakes. The coastline is as dramatic as you could imagine, and that all ads up for some amazing hiking!
Camping is available at Refugio Rio Moscu, approximately halfway along the Rio Moscu.
Cerro Castillo
- Days Required: 4 days
- Distance: 62km
- Difficulty: Moderate to demanding
- Start / Finish Points: Las Horquetas Grandes to Villa Cerro Castillo
This 4-day trek will take you through majestic alpine landscapes guaranteed to lead you to plummeting waterfalls, isolated glaciers tucked away into the mountainous backdrops which you will find yourself immersed.
Cerro Castillo is a culmination of everything you think Patagonia is, all jam packed into this one epic Patagonian trek.
It will put you to the test with river crossings in freezing glacial waters, and parts of it needing spot-on navigational skills. Although tracks are well-trodden, they can be impeded by Patagonia’s wild untamed weather.
The whole hike consists of weaving in and out of a valley where mountains range from 1500 metres to a massive 2,675 metres of Cerro Castillo.
Camping is available the whole way along the trek, allowing you to take your time on one of Patagonia’s lesser known hikes which is increasing in popularity.
To gain a different perspective of Cerro Castillo, opt for the side trip into Upper Valle Parada, adding an additional 3 kilometres to your trek, where small lakes such as Laguna Duff remain hidden gems and well worth the extra few hours’ efforts.
The hike finishes at Villa Cerro Castillo, which can be taken by following either the Rio Ibanez or the adjacent path at Morro Rojo peak.
