Even inexperienced hikers can see the park’s highlights without having to do any strenuous trekking. But, for backpackers wanting adventure, they can make their trip as extreme as they want. Either way, there are certain features that no visitor to the park should miss.
Grey’s Glacier in Torres Del Paine National Park
This glacier is most easily reached by catamaran. The bus that hikers take into the park drops passengers off right at the catamaran launch point. In less than an hour, and after some breathtaking scenery, hikers are dropped off on the other side of the lake.
There is an elegant refugio or lodge that people can sleep in, or there is also paid camping where tents can be rented. A better option with less people is to get off the catamaran and hike the 3-4 hours up to the glacier itself.
There is another, more rustic refugio there as well as camping. It is a beautiful campground right next to a lake and just a short walk from uninterrupted views of the glacier.
Valley Frances in Torres Del Paine
From the campground on the Grey’s Glacier side of the park, to reach the valley and camping by the valley it is an almost flat 3 hour walk. From the Torres side it is about 8 hours of hiking but there is not a great deal of elevation gain on this side either.
It is worth waiting for a day with good weather to hike up the valley because it allows for amazing views if the sky is clear. On one side hikers see rock with glacier high above them, and on the other side are impressive views of the Torres. There are glacial lakes down the valley in the distance and huge rivers and waterfalls that backpackers pass.
The campground Italiano is just below the valley. This is free camping so hikers must have their own gear and food. Another option is to stay at Los Cuernos, about a three hour hike away. This is a refugio so backpackers can sleep inside and buy meals, or they also rent tents.
Torres Del Paine in Patagonia, Chile
The towers are the most photographed part of the park. Most people try to see them at sunrise. As with much of Patagonia, the weather can make or break a visitor’s view of the towers.
The refugio closest to the towers is Chileno. From this camp it is still a steep hike of a few hours up to the views of the towers. A better option for those who wish to see the sunrise is to camp above Chileno in a free camping area. Once again, campers must have their own food and gear for free camping in the park, but the hike is only about an hour, all uphill from this camp to see the towers at sunrise.
Throughout the park there are chances to see different views of the Torres, so even if they are not seen at sunrise, hikers can still see them from other angles. One of the most impressive views of the towers is simply driving into the park, so visitors should be sure to have their cameras ready from the beginning.
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