Patagonia Chile is one of the world’s most extraordinary hiking destinations. Its granite towers, vast ice fields, lenga forests, and powerful winds create an environment that is both challenging and rewarding. Travelers come here not just for the scenery, but for the feeling of reconnecting with raw wilderness landscapes.
Whether you're exploring classic routes inside Torres del Paine National Park, trekking rugged backcountry circuits, or venturing into remote regions at the edge of the world, Patagonia offers a trail for every type of adventurer.
One of the most famous Torres del Paine tours, and the one that captures the spirit of Chilean Patagonia, is the W Trek. This iconic multi-day hike (51 km / 32 mi) weaves through Torres del Paine National Park, leading you to:
The Base of the Towers
The dramatic French Valley
The massive ice walls of Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
Named for its distinctive “W” shape, the trail connects three stunning valleys, each offering a different landscape. You can hike this trail from Camp Grey or Paine Grande to Camp Central, or the other way around. You can sleep in the refugios (mountain huts) or campsites, and choose to bring your own food or opt for the meals offered in the huts. You must reserve both your meals and your sleeping spots months in advance.
You can also choose to hike the trek with EcoCamp Patagonia, which offers a more comfortable way to tackle the trek. Instead of staying in traditional hotels in Torres del Paine, you'll sleep in cozy geodesic domes. It's a unique alternative among Torres del Paine accommodation options.
For trekkers seeking a longer hike, the O Trek (or simply “The Circuit”) is the ultimate challenge inside Torres del Paine. This 7–9-day (131 km / 81 mi) loop circles the entire Paine Massif and showcases the wildest corners of the park.
Along the way you’ll experience:
Quiet northern valleys with very few hikers
A demanding ascent over the legendary John Gardner Pass
Expansive views of Grey Glacier stretching into the ice field
Untouched lenga and ñirre forests teeming with birdlife
The O is strenuous, but it offers the most complete view of the park. During the first days you'll meet only other hikers doing the circuit, as the northern section is reserved exclusively for this route. After a few days, you'll reach the trails of the W Trek where it becomes more crowded. As with the W Trek, you can sleep in shared dormitories in huts or in tents.
Just across the border from Chile lies El Chaltén, a vibrant little mountain town known as the trekking capital of Argentina. Many travelers combine Torres del Paine with a visit to El Chaltén because the landscape is equally—if not more—spectacular, and the trail network is perfect for multiday adventures.
The village sits at the foot of the Fitz Roy range and offers some of the most iconic day hikes in Patagonia. Two of the most famous trails are:
Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy Trail): the classic viewpoint for Mount Fitz Roy, with its sharp granite spires rising dramatically above a turquoise glacial lagoon.
Laguna Torre: a gentler trail leading to Cerro Torre’s glacial lake, often dotted with floating icebergs.
You can combine both hikes into a three-day mini-traverse using the Madre e Hija trail, which links the two valleys through remote lenga forests and rolling terrain. This route lets you spend several days around El Chaltén, sleeping in designated camping areas such as Poincenot and De Agostini.
While most hikers come for the two famous lagoons, El Chaltén offers many more trails, such as Loma del Pliegue Tumbado or Laguna Toro for more experienced hikers.
For hikers craving true remoteness, the Dientes de Navarino circuit is one of the world’s great wilderness challenges. Located on Navarino Island, this trail leads through:
Jagged peaks known as “the teeth”
Exposed passes
Wind-shaped valleys
Isolated lagoons untouched by tourism
Along this trail, you’ll hike approximately 42 km / 26 mi over 4 days, with the highest point reaching around 850 meters (2,800 feet) above sea level. The main challenges of this route are rapidly changing weather conditions (even in summer), limited signage, and the lack of campsites or huts. It requires solid experience in navigation and endurance, but the reward is an otherworldly landscape and absolute solitude.
Deep inside Patagonia Park lies the Jeinimeni–Avilés multiday trek. The trail, typically completed in 3 to 4 days (49 km / 30 mi), crosses one of the most diverse landscapes in southern Chile. Along the way, you'll encounter:
Bright turquoise rivers and lagoons
Expansive steppe where guanacos roam freely
Deep canyons like Valle Avilés, known for their striking rock walls
The trek begins in the Jeinimeni sector at Jeinimeni Lake and winds south toward the Casa de Piedra campsite. You can also hike the route in the opposite direction, though you'll have more uphill than downhill. It’s a remote trail, there isn’t much elevation gain, but you must be prepared to wade through rivers. If you’re lucky, you may spot huemul (Andean deer) or even pumas along the way.
Compared to the classic Torres del Paine tours, Jeinimeni–Avilés offers a quieter, more contemplative experience, ideal for travelers seeking solitude in Patagonia.
In the Aysén region, Cerro Castillo National Park offers one of Patagonia’s most beautiful multi-day treks. The trail is called Las Horquetas and starts 30 kilometers from Villa Cerro Castillo. Often compared to the W Trek for its majestic spires and glacial cirques, this 3–4-day route (53 km/33 mi) includes:
Towering black basalt walls
Electric-blue glacial lagoons
Rolling meadows shaped by the wind
It’s an excellent choice for hikers who prefer trails that feel wilder and less trafficked, while still experiencing classic Patagonia park landscapes. Keep in mind that the infrastructure is limited and very basic along the way. You only have designated camping spots and some pit toilets.
Reaching Patagonia Chile is part of the adventure itself. Because the region stretches across a vast area, the best airport for your trip depends on which trek or national park you plan to explore. Travelers coming from abroad usually connect through either Santiago (Chile) or Buenos Aires (Argentina) before continuing south.
Here are the main airport gateways for hikers and trekkers:
Punta Arenas (Chile): ideal for Torres del Paine National Park and Antarctic cruises
Puerto Natales (Chile): the closest airport to Torres del Paine National Park
El Calafate (Argentina): perfect for combining Chilean Patagonia with the Argentine side
Coyhaique (Balmaceda) (Chile): the main access point for the Aysén region , including Cerro Castillo National Park and the Carretera Austral
If you're wondering how to get to Torres del Paine, most travelers fly into Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas and continue by ground transfer.
Best season: November to April offers the most stable conditions, though winter trekking is possible with the right gear.
Transport: Review logistics on how to get to Patagonia South America, including regional flights and transfers.
Accommodation: Reserve Torres del Paine lodging early, spaces inside and near the park fill quickly.
Weather: Prepare for rapidly changing conditions with appropriate clothing and gear. Patagonia is famous for offering all four seasons in a single day.
If you’re uncertain about planning, EcoCamp’s team is ready to assist you. Start planning your adventure.