The park was established in 1959 as Parque Nacional de Turismo Lago Grey (Grey Lake National Tourism Park) and was given its present name in 1970. Torres del Paine National Park is part of the Sistema Nacional de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas del Estado de Chile (National System of Protected Forested Areas of Chile). In 2013, it measured approximately 181,414 hectares. It is one of the largest and most visited parks in Chile. The park averages around 252,000 visitors a year, of which 54% are foreign tourists, who come from many countries all over the world.

The park is one of the 11 protected areas of the Magallanes Region and Chilean Antarctica (together with four national parks, three national reserves, and three national monuments). Together, the protected forested areas comprise about 51% of the land of the region (6,728,744 hectares).

The Torres del Paine are the distinctive three granite peaks of the Paine mountain range or Paine Massif. They extend up to 2,500 metres above sea level, and are joined by the Cuernos del Paine. The area also boasts valleys, rivers such as the Paine, lakes, and glaciers. The well-known lakes include Grey, Pehoé, Nordenskiöld, and Sarmiento. The glaciers, including Grey, Pingo and Tyndall, belong to the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.

The landscape of the park is dominated by the Paine massif, which is an eastern spur of the Andes located on the east side of the Grey Glacier, rising dramatically above the Patagonian steppe. Small valleys separate the spectacular granite spires and mountains of the massif. These are: Valle del Francés (French Valley), Valle Bader, Valle Ascencio, and Valle del Silencio (Silence Valley).

The weather can make this expedition challenging. But the weather also scalps the corridor that you are walking through this is what gives you the drama of the peaks and glaciers and the diverse eco systems.

If you have completed Kokoda this 7 day circuit is just as tough. Days are long with ascents and descents which can be challenging. Our itinerary takes this into account, mixing our days trekking with a hard trekking day followed by a shorter easier day. Again, the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the journey and your destination.

STICK TO THE TRAIL

pACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT

SAY HELLO TO PEOPLE

Smiling and waving at every person you meet in the city might not be practical or advisable, but when you’re hiking a trail it’s just good manners to say hello to your fellow trekkers. It’s a great feeling to know that you’re part of a community of like-minded people sharing a common hobby. However, taking a second to interact with people on the route might also be a lifesaver. If you should happen to get lost or injured, one of these fellow hikers could remember your face, your fetching hat or your bright red walking socks from your brief interaction and may be able to provide vital information to anyone out looking for you. As conscientious members of the trekking community, you can also take the opportunity to share information on weather conditions and potential hazards along the route with those coming in the opposite direction.

YIELD TO THOSE COMING UPHILL

There are parts of Patagonia where you can hike for hours at a time and not see another living soul, but if you’re headed for the main attractions in high-season the chances are you won't be alone on the trail. When two trekkers are travelling in opposite directions and there is only room for one to pass, deciding who has the right-of-way can be a slightly contentious issue. However, it is generally accepted that a person coming downhill should yield to those coming uphill. The logic behind this rule is that when heading uphill it takes more energy to get going again once you’ve stopped, and that maintaining a steady rhythm is more important. You might find that some hikers heading uphill would actually prefer to let you pass and use the pause to have a quick rest, but since they’re working harder than you, let that be their decision.

KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN

It’s common sense that many people heading out to hike in Torres del Paine National Park are looking to escape from the constant noise of their daily lives, which makes it all the more surprising that there are people who insist on shouting and talking loudly or keeping electronic devices turned up to full volume. It’s worth remembering that it’s courteous to other hikers to keep noise to a minimum and turn electronics off or to a lower volume. It will also allow you to appreciate the sounds of the natural world around you, from bird calls to the howling of the wind and you’ll be less likely to scare off any wild animals you might want to see. In some areas of the world, whistling or singing in the backwoods is actually recommended so that you don’t inadvertently sneak up on an unsuspecting bear, but down in Patagonia this isn’t an issue, so the quieter you are, the better!

TAKE PHOTO'S

Taking photos is the best way to remember your trip as an alternative to bringing home souvenirs from the natural world. Removing things from an ecosystem can be just as damaging as introducing something that should not be there, so if you didn’t bring it with you then don’t take it away. This point goes hand in hand with rule number 2, except this time if you didn't pack it in, then don't pack it out. Even taking a small rock, or picking a flower to press as a memento can have a huge impact when multiplied by the number of visitors to Torres del Paine National Park each year. To preserve the beauty of the landscape for those who follow you, make sure that the only things you take away - apart from what you brought - are memories and photographs.

SAY HELLO TO THE HORSE'S

Horse riding is a popular activity in Patagonia, so you shouldn’t assume that the only life you’ll come across on the trails will be human. Saying hello to a horse has less to do with politeness and more to do with safety, although you might consider saying a friendly hello to the rider too! Even the best trained horses can still be spooked by an unfamiliar sight and they might not recognise that a hiker weighed down by a 65 litre backpack, sporting a woolly hat, dark sunglasses and hiking poles is in fact human. A frightened horse can be a danger to itself, its rider and to you so it’s best to try not to startle it. You might assume that this means staying as still and quiet as possible, but in fact, moving out of the way and speaking gently at a normal volume can help a horse work out what sort of creature you are. Once it’s decided you’re a human being the chance of panic is much lower, which is great news for everybody.  

LEAVE CAIRNS ALONE

Cairns are another controversial issue amongst trekkers, as some are genuinely useful whilst others are just an blemish on the landscape. On the one hand, some people see cairns as part of an age-old, romantic tradition in which each traveller adds a stone to the pile as they pass. They enjoy becoming part of the tradition, however they’re really just contributing to the erosion and distortion of the landscape. On the other hand, others believe they’re doing a good deed by actively knocking cairns down when they come across them, thereby restoring the land to its natural form. Whilst well-intentioned, this is often misguided as some cairns are placed deliberately by the appropriate authorities to make it easier to follow the path. Without a cairn to point the way, hikers are more likely to stray from the track and become part of the problem of path erosion by trampling on plantlife. Therefore, the best advice when it comes to cairns is to add nothing and take nothing away; just leave it alone and go on your way.

KEEP WATER SOURCES CLEAN

Whilst it might be tempting, it is not good practice to wash your dishes, clothes, or yourself in streams or lakes. The water might keep you clean, but out in the remote areas of Torres del Paine National Park, there’s nobody to clean the water you leave behind. By washing things in a natural water source, you’re contaminating it for other hikers, not to mention the native wildlife. Washing should be carried out at least 70 metres from any water sources, with a small amount of biodegradable soap. It should probably go without saying that this distance should also be respected for human waste, and for reasons of hygiene and common decency, solids should be well buried in a cathole at least 8 inches deep. Wherever possible, it’s better to use the facilities at campsites, hotels and lodges, which have policies for disposing of waste correctly.

DON’T LIGHT FIRES!

This may be commandment number ten, but if you remember nothing else from this list, this is the one to hold onto! Smoking and bonfires are forbidden in Torres del Paine National Park, and for very good reason. In 2005, a Czech tourist destroyed an enormous 7% of the park when he lit a gas stove outside of the designated areas causing a wildfire that ripped through the landscape. In late 2011 another devastating wildlife probably also started by irresponsible visitors, destroyed a large section of woodland. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you by respecting the cooking areas at campsites and using the proper equipment instead of lighting an open fire. Lighting a bonfire for warmth is as unnecessary as it is illegal. If you’re concerned about the cold, come prepared with extra layers and a sleeping bag with the correct temperature rating and you never need to be tempted to resort to a fire for heat.