Is Torres del Paine National Park open in Winter?
Is Torres del Paine National Park open in winter? Yes, Chile’s top national park is open all year, but we usually recommend it for experienced travelers with the right gear and clothing because winter in Southern Patagonia can be tough if you’re unprepared!
But isn’t that what makes Patagonia magical? This article, with pictures and text, takes you through what to expect when going on a winter adventure to Torres del Paine National Park.
Picture below: the famous Base de las Torres—the Tower's base in wintertime.
Weather conditions in Torres Del Paine during winter are typically colder, but less windy compared to the summer months, where the wind gusts can hit up to 120 km/hour (75 mi/hour).
While the high season (from November to March) features long days—up to 17 hours of daylight in December—in winter, short days occur, with less than 8 hours of daylight in June. This is one of the reasons why a certified guide is mandatory. An experienced guide manages the time, knowing how long it takes to get from A to B, avoiding people getting lost in the dark because they miscalculated how long the hike would take. They also know how to read the weather and what to do in emergency situations.
In Winter, low temperatures are in the -3 to -0°C (20-30's°F), and high temperatures are in the 5-8°C (around 40's°F). It also depends on your location, as the park features numerous microclimates, and hiking in higher altitudes is more likely to involve snow. If you are doing the Frency Valley or the Tower´s Base, expect snow and ice.
Picture below: Pehoé Lake on a windy day
Picture below: the forest when hiking to the Tower´s Base.
Picture below: Lake Grey (Lago Grey) and its impressive view of the Paine Massif with Paine Grande to the left, and Los Cuernos (the Horns) in the middle. This is where you can take the boat to approach the Grey Glacier.
Picture below: Las Carretas Trail, part of the W trek in winter.
If you plan to hike the W Trek in Winter, get your crampons ready! It is usually mandatory in winter, as in many places, there is ice on the trail, especially when doing the Tower´s Base and the French Valley, where water runs down the trails. Crampons make the experience safe, and you will be fine as long as you are with a guide (which is why guides are a must!). You can sometimes rent the crampons in town, but to be on the safe side, bring them with you or let us help you organise it.
Picture above: a female puma with her cub in winter
Fewer people on the trails means more animals near the roads of Torres del Paine. Pumas are present year-round; however, they are more frequently seen in Winter as they come closer to the park's human infrastructure. Additionally, sunrise is late (09:45 am in early June), which makes it easier for travelers to wake up with animals around. We have a Winter Puma Tracking program, for those who dare to spend time outdoors, looking for the elusive puma.
If you explore the trails of Torres del Paine in Winter, you should be able to get some good wildlife spotting opportunities thanks to the quietness of that season. During winter, the guanacos gather together in flocks of more than 2000, an impresive sight. Also, the endangered South Andean deer, the Huemul, is sometimes easier to spot when there are fewer people on the trails.
Picture below: the three granite towers, taken from the EcoCamp Patagonia location
Picture above: Serrano Village area and entrance to the national park from the East side of the park
Winter may be the most photogenic time of the year, with intense sunrises and the possibility of snowy landscapes, which are becoming less frequent with climate change. Many landscape photographers like to visit during winter, chasing dramatic shots of the mountains, lakes, and glaciers.
Picture above: EcoCamp Patagonia on a snowy, winter day
While most hotels close in Winter, some hotels are open year-round. If you are planning to do your Winter W-trek or our Patagonia Winter Puma Tracking with us, we work with various hotels and refuges as EcoCamp Patagonia is not open during winter. You can also stay in some refuges and campsites along the trails of the W Trek.
As for campsites, nights might be cold, but you will be fine with a duvet sleeping bag (that can hopefully be comfortable at temperatures below -5°C) and a quality tent.
You get it, Winter in Torres del Paine is wild, but it feels surprisingly comfortable as the park has become more accessible. Years ago, reaching the park was an odyssey. Today, there are regular flights to the nearby Puerto Natales (even in Winter) and to Punta Arenas so that anyone can travel to Patagonia, even during the wildest time of the year.
Up for a Winter adventure? Check out our winter programs or contact us for more information!