Self-Guided O Trek Hike in Torres del Paine, Chile

Have a hearty breakfast and head to the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal at 7 am. Make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes early so you don’t miss the bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy breathtaking scenery of Patagonia as you travel to Laguna Amarga’s main entrance where you will need to register with the park ranger, CONAF.

From there, Transporte Las Torres will take you to the welcome center and then it’s just a 5-minute walk to Estancia Cerro Paine where you’ll register and begin your trek. Follow the trail through Ascencio Valley and its lush forests, and once you ascend through a field of large rocks, you’ll reach the iconic Mirador Base Las Torres. It’s that world-famous view of three granite towers and a turquoise lake at their feet. Have your lunch there before returning to Torre Central Refuge for a warm dinner after a long day of hiking.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Hiking: 14 mi / 22.5 km, 8-10 hours
Accommodation: Central Refuge

Today is one of the easiest days on the O Circuit, but the views are just as incredible. The trail goes through a vibrant green forest and continues along a mellow slope that descends towards endless pastures. Continue hiking the relatively flat path towards the Serón campsite and enjoy the sound of crystal clear streams. After setting up the camp, get some rest and enjoy dinner at a small but cozy dining room of Serón.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles / 9 km, 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Camping Serón

A long hike begins through undulating hills and humid swamps into the heart of the park. Snow-capped peaks, blue lakes, and vast expanses of grassland provide the perfect backdrop for exploring the north side of the park. Enjoy imposing views of the Dickson Glacier, Cerro Cubo, and other rugged peaks marking the border between Chile and Argentina. Once you reach the Dickson area, you can either relax at the refuge or take a walk along its rocky shoreline.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 11 miles / 18 km, 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Dickson Refuge

Today you dive into the most remote area of the park. Feel the wind blowing through the bushes and listen to the sound of Magellanic woodpeckers. Bordering the Los Perros River, go up a large moraine where you’ll be left speechless when you see another picturesque mountain as a backdrop, the Los Perros Glacier, and its greenish-blue lagoon. Continue along a rocky path before reaching the Los Perros campsite, where you’ll spend the night. Get some rest, as there’s a long day ahead of you.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles / 9 km, 5 hours
Accommodation: Los Perros Camp

This is one of the most demanding and most rewarding days of the O Circuit. Make your way through gnarled tree roots and large mud puddles under the green canopy of the trees. Leave the forest and begin ascending over loose rocks until reaching the highest point in the Paine Circuit, the famous John Gardner Pass at 1,200 m (4,000 ft) above sea level. The Southern Patagonian Ice Field will leave you impressed as well as its marvelous resplendent carpet. Descend by the side of a giant wall of ice and continue walking to Camping el Paso, crossing exciting suspension bridges before arriving at the Grey Shelter for a dinner and well deserved rest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 8.7 miles / 14 km, 10-12 hours
Accommodation: Refuge Grey

Have a hearty breakfast at the lovely Grey Refuge before admiring the incredible landscapes of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the icebergs of Grey Lake some more. Ascend through a mountainous forest until reaching the (sometimes very) windy viewpoint of the Grey Glacier. Keep going until you reach the Laguna de Los Patos, where you’ll begin your descent through a narrow and windy valley that takes you directly to the Paine Grande Refuge.

There’s an optional Grey Glacier kayaking or ice hiking, you can add it to your adventure upon checkout.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 7 miles / 11 km, 4-4.5 hours
Accommodation: Paine Grande Refuge

Depart early in the morning for a whole day of hiking towards the heart of Torres del Paine. Walk through arid ground along the shore of Lake Skottsberg. After several hours of walking, you’ll arrive at El Italiano campsite where the ascent towards the Valley begins. Climb through rocky terrain and follow the edge of treetops until reaching the Plató (French lookout).

You’ll be rewarded with landscapes of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and hanging glaciers that fall in the form of waterfalls on the east face of Paine Grande. You’ll hear the roar of falling ice and water, and it’s a point where avalanches can commonly be seen. After a quick stop, descend and start the return to the Paine Grande Refuge where you’ll take the Catamarán Hielos Patagónicos and return back to Puerto Natales.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking: 12.5 miles / 20 km, 6-7 hours

Have a hearty breakfast and head to the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal at 7 am. Make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes early so you don’t miss the bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy breathtaking scenery of Patagonia as you travel to Laguna Amarga’s main entrance where you will need to register with the park ranger, CONAF.

From there, Transporte Las Torres will take you to the welcome center and then it’s just a 5-minute walk to Estancia Cerro Paine where you’ll register and begin your trek. Follow the trail through Ascencio Valley and its lush forests, and once you ascend through a field of large rocks, you’ll reach the iconic Mirador Base Las Torres. It’s that world-famous view of three granite towers and a turquoise lake at their feet. Have your lunch there before returning to Torre Central Refuge for a warm dinner after a long day of hiking.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Hiking: 14 mi / 22.5 km, 8-10 hours
Accommodation: Central Refuge

Today is one of the easiest days on the O Circuit, but the views are just as incredible. The trail goes through a vibrant green forest and continues along a mellow slope that descends towards endless pastures. Continue hiking the relatively flat path towards the Serón campsite and enjoy the sound of crystal clear streams. After setting up the camp, get some rest and enjoy dinner at a small but cozy dining room of Serón.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles / 9 km, 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Camping Serón

A long hike begins through undulating hills and humid swamps into the heart of the park. Snow-capped peaks, blue lakes, and vast expanses of grassland provide the perfect backdrop for exploring the north side of the park. Enjoy imposing views of the Dickson Glacier, Cerro Cubo, and other rugged peaks marking the border between Chile and Argentina. Once you reach the Dickson area, you can either relax at the refuge or take a walk along its rocky shoreline.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 11 miles / 18 km, 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Camping Dickson

Today you dive into the most remote area of the park. Feel the wind blowing through the bushes and listen to the sound of Magellanic woodpeckers. Bordering the Los Perros River, go up a large moraine where you’ll be left speechless when you see another picturesque mountain as a backdrop, the Los Perros Glacier, and its greenish-blue lagoon. Continue along a rocky path before reaching the Los Perros campsite, where you’ll spend the night. Get some rest, as there’s a long day ahead of you.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles / 9 km, 5 hours
Accommodation: Los Perros Camp

This is one of the most demanding and most rewarding days of the O Circuit. Make your way through gnarled tree roots and large mud puddles under the green canopy of the trees. Leave the forest and begin ascending over loose rocks until reaching the highest point in the Paine Circuit, the famous John Gardner Pass at 1,200 m (4,000 ft) above sea level. The Southern Patagonian Ice Field will leave you impressed as well as its marvelous resplendent carpet. Descend by the side of a giant wall of ice and continue walking to Camping el Paso, crossing exciting suspension bridges before arriving at the campsite for a dinner and well deserved rest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 8.7 miles / 14 km, 10-12 hours
Accommodation: Camping Grey

Have a hearty breakfast at the lovely Grey Refuge before admiring the incredible landscapes of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the icebergs of Grey Lake some more. Ascend through a mountainous forest until reaching the (sometimes very) windy viewpoint of the Grey Glacier. Keep going until you reach the Laguna de Los Patos, where you’ll begin your descent through a narrow and windy valley that takes you directly to the Paine Grande campsite.

There’s an optional Grey Glacier kayaking or ice hiking, you can add it to your adventure upon checkout.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 7 miles / 11 km, 4-4.5 hours
Accommodation: Paine Grande Camping

Depart early in the morning for a whole day of hiking towards the heart of Torres del Paine. Walk through arid ground along the shore of Lake Skottsberg. After several hours of walking, you’ll arrive at El Italiano campsite where the ascent towards the Valley begins. Climb through rocky terrain and follow the edge of treetops until reaching the Plató (French lookout).

You’ll be rewarded with landscapes of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and hanging glaciers that fall in the form of waterfalls on the east face of Paine Grande. You’ll hear the roar of falling ice and water, and it’s a point where avalanches can commonly be seen. After a quick stop, descend and start the return to the Paine Grande Refuge where you’ll take the Catamarán Hielos Patagónicos and return back to Puerto Natales.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking: 12.5 miles / 20 km, 6-7 hours