Long before its birth in 1959, Torres del Paine National Park was attracting explorers from around the world. While it is true this area of 181,414 hectares is unique for numerous reasons, like its elusive wildlife, blue glaciers, and spectacular trails, the real stars here are undoubtedly the three granite spires that gave the park its name (“the towers of Paine”).
However, it would be simplistic to explain the park's fame by mentioning only the towers. The Torres del Paine mountain range is full of dramatic spires that contrast with the vastness of the surrounding landscapes – including the southern Patagonian ice fields and the plains of the Magallanes region. Its complex geology made it the ultimate challenge for climbers and a miracle of nature for scientists.
The formation of the massive is like a puzzle that is not yet completed. Its formation started about 13 million years ago, with an intrusion of magma (masses of molten rock that emanate from the interior of the Earth) happening around the Grey Lake area, shaping a laccolith known today as “Macizo Paine” (the Paine massif).
The mass is composed of different types of rocks that can be grouped into two categories: plutonic and sedimentary. The most famous rock in the park is granite, which can be recognized by its grey color – it is part of the plutonic rock group. Another typical type of rock in the park is the dark sedimentary rock found beneath the granite. This is the dark rock you can find at the top of “Los Cuernos” (the horns), for example.
Millions of years of history have shaped some of the world's most beautiful mountains, as you can see in this list.
Elevation: 2,000 m.a.s.l (6,561 ft / Cuerno Este), 2,200 m.a.s.l (7,217ft / Cuerno Norte), and 2,450 m.a.s.l (8,038 ft)
Los Cuernos (“The Horns”) are amongst the most incredible mountains on Earth for their dramatic shape and shades of dark and grey (grey for granite, dark for sedimentary rock). These 3 peaks (the highest one being “Cuerno Central” (2,450 meters/8,038 ft) can be seen from the western side of the park. The steep slopes of these mountains were shaped by long-term glacier erosion.
The best area to see “the Horns” is undoubtedly the Pehoe Lake area, from where you can get a panoramic view of the mountain range. You can also hike to the “Cuernos Viewpoint”, an easy 3-hour hike starting from Salto Grande. And if you hike the W Trek, you’ll hike along these rock giants in the French Valley.
Elevation: 2,681 m.a.s.l (8,795 ft)
This spectacular granite peak isn’t easy to see, yet it is higher (and maybe as impressive) than its neighbors, Los Cuernos. It is located right between the French Valley and the Silence Valley, a remote area of the mountain range.
The best areas to see Cerro Fortaleza are near the Nordenskjöld Viewpoint (there is a nice viewpoint along the road from which you can see the majesty of Cerro Fortaleza) or in French Valley (the British Viewpoint). You can also hike to this mountain through the Bader valley (a guide is needed).
Elevation: 3,050 m.a.s.l (10,006 ft)
The highest peak in Torres del Paine National Park, Mt. Paine Grande, is also one of the most challenging mountains to climb in Patagonia. Its giant glacier at the top is covered with clouds most of the time, and it is hard to find a day with no wind on this giant of ice and rock.
A few hanging glaciers gather on the eastern side of the mountain, and many avalanches can be observed from French Valley. 4 peaks (Cumbre Principal – the main one -, Punta Bariloche, Cima Central, and Cima Norte) form this mountain, which can be seen from the Western side of the park.
The best places to see Paine Grande are the Pehoe Lake area and the Grey Lake/ Grey Glacier area.
Elevation: 1,717 m.a.s.l (5,633 ft)
The Shark’s Fin (Aleta de Tiburón) is located at the bottom of the French Valley, and it is not difficult to understand the origin of its peculiar name. The steep granite of the Shark’s Fin was shaped over millions of years by glacial erosion, and it is well-known among climbers in the area.
The Shark’s Fin can be seen from the British lookout (French Valley) and also from the Pehoe Lake area. It is surrounded by some other beautiful peaks such as Cota 2000, Castillo, Punta Quirquinchos, Gemelos, Catedral, and Fortaleza.
Elevation: 2,500 m.a.s.l (8,202 ft)
Cerro Espada is one of the least known granite spires in the park, yet it is one of the most beautiful. This steep peak neighbors Los Cuernos, Cerro Hoja (2,200 m.a.s.l), and Cerro Espada (2,300 m.a.s.l). It can be seen from French Valley and from about anywhere on the western side of the park.
Elevation: 2,640 m.a.s.l (8,661 ft)
This impressive mountain covered by a beautiful hanging glacier can be seen from the main viewpoints of the park, yet its vastness is best appreciated from the eastern side of the park – including EcoCamp and Laguna Azul. Almirante Nieto is the nearest neighbor to the towers. It is also one of the least technical mountains to climb, which doesn’t mean reaching its summit is easy (remember, Patagonia is windy).
Elevation: 2,230 m.a.s.l (7,316 ft)
The steep slopes of Cabeza de Indio are located in a remote area of the national park and the only way to see it is by hiking the Torres del Paine Circuit (“O Trek”). Cabeza de Indio means the “Indian’s face,” and you may get the meaning of that name if you stare at it for a while from the Paine lake area.
You can camp near that mountain at the Dickson campsite, on the first night of the O Trek.
Elevation: 2,000 m.a.s.l (6,561 ft)
Few people know about this remote peak in the park, yet many travelers see it daily. It is one of the steepest peaks you’ll find near Grey glacier, and it is impossible to miss it on a navigation to this beautiful area of the southern Patagonia ice fields.
Elevation: 2,240 m.a.s.l (7,349 ft)
Cerro Escudo is a direct neighbor to Cerro Fortaleza, and its steep slope can be reached with a day hike through the desolate landscapes of the Silence Valley. This remote mountain is hard to see as it is hidden at the bottom of the Silence Valley, yet all climbers aiming for the towers will see it, as it is located next to the climbers’ base camp.
Elevation: 2,200 m.a.s.l (7,217 ft)
This granite peak near the towers is often confused with the towers, as it is true that it looks like a fourth tower. It is also known locally as “Cerro Peineta” (The “Comb”), with its peculiar shapes and a nice layer of sedimentary rock at the top. Cerro Nido de Condor (“The Condor’s Nest”) can be seen from the eastern side of the park, and you will hike along this mountain on the famous trek to the towers’ base viewpoint.
Elevation: 2,850 m.a.s.l (9350 ft / South Tower), 2800 m.a.s.l (9186 ft / Central Tower), 2,600 m.a.s.l (8530 ft / North Tower)
Impossible to conclude this publication without mentioning the stars of the national park. The granite towers of Torres del Paine have fascinated travelers from around the world for more than a century. In 1879, Lady Florence Dixie, the first tourist to ever reach the area – a British explorer and writer known for her book “Across Patagonia” – was the first to describe the spires as “Cleopatra’s Needles”.
The towers were shaped by glacier erosion. Today, only one small glacier remains at the base of the towers, which feeds the famous lake that can be reached on a full-day hike – namely, the most famous hike in Chile’s Patagonia, a 22km/13mi hike that starts from EcoCamp. The towers can be seen from most viewpoints in the park, but the best places to see them are the Towers’ Base Viewpoint, Cerro Paine, and Laguna Azul.
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