Cicerone Trekking Guide Book: Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine
Chile's Premier National Park and Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park
by Rudolf Abraham

Guidebook to walking and trekking in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park and Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park areas of Patagonia. Eight different walks and treks are described, including the 10-11 day Torres del Paine Circuit, one of the world’s great treks, as well as the shorter Half Circuit (4-5 days). The guide also includes other multi day treks and several day walks, as well as excursions from both Puerto Natales and El Calafate.

The 140km Torres del Paine 'O' Circuit in the far southern Andes is a long-distance trek of staggering beauty, as it circuits the Paine massif. This route typically takes 10-11 days to complete and is suitable for competent trekkers. While Torres del Paine National Park offers a remote wilderness, walking is easily accessible with clear trails, good public transport and regular mountain huts and campsites.

The guidebook helps walkers and trekkers venture into Patagonia with confidence, and includes advice on getting to and around the regions, languages, visa, currency, accommodation facilities in the National Parks as well as useful guidance on what to take and expect on the treks. Full background information on the geology, history, wildlife, flora and cultures of the regions are also explored, resulting in an excellent companion guide to walking and trekking in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares.

Seasons
December-April. January-February is high season, when most visitors arrive, so can be a little crowded. Overall March is best.

Centres
Puerto Natales is the gateway to Torres del Paine, and also the base for short trips to the Balmaceda Glacier and Sierra Baguales. There are multiple bases in the national park itself.

Difficulty
No technical difficulties, but the Torres del Paine Circuit is a long and, at times, remote undertaking from which there is no convenient exit point half way through. Sudden changes in weather, gale force winds and torrential rain can turn it into a far more difficult undertaking.

Must See
The magnificent granite spires of the 'towers' (Torres), and distinctive, banded form of the 'horns' (Cuernos); vast glaciers (Grey, Tyndall and Dickson) spilling out from the largest sheet of ice in the southern hemisphere outside Antarctica; beautifully unspoilt southern beech or lenga forest; rich and varied animal and birdlife; remote valleys and immense, cloud-streaked skies.

Cicerone Trekking Guide Book: Torres del Paine