Mirador Base Torres is the lookout over the glacial lake at the foot of the three granite Torres del Paine, and the hike to it is the park’s most walked day route. From Hotel Las Torres it is 9.4 km each way, 18.8 km round trip by CONAF’s segment distances, climbing from about 130 m to about 870 m. Las Torres puts the round trip at about 8 hours. The last 1.4 km is a steep boulder moraine that CONAF rates as demanding.
Base Torres at a glance
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Distance | 18.8 km round trip from Hotel Las Torres (CONAF); 20-24 km from the Welcome Center |
| Time | About 8 h round trip |
| Climb | About 740 m net (about 130 m to about 870 m); more with the ups and downs |
| Entry 2026-27 | CLP 32,400 one-day ticket (foreign adult), online at least 24 h ahead |
| Booking needed? | No accommodation booking for a day visit |
| Time limits | Latest entry and lookout closing times apply (see below) |
| Night hiking | Prohibited: no pre-dawn sunrise starts |
The route
| Section | Distance (CONAF) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Las Torres to Chileno | 5 km | About 2 h; climbs the Ascencio valley side past the Paso del Viento |
| Chileno to Guardería Torres | 3 km | Lenga forest along the river |
| Guardería Torres to Mirador Base Torres | 1.4 km | About 1 h; steep boulder moraine to the lake edge |
Chileno is a Las Torres campsite (no beds in 2026-27) and stoves are not allowed in the Chileno sector. The CONAF Torres camp near the guardería was closed in 2025-26.
Time limits and the no-darkness rule
CONAF sets a latest entry time from the Laguna Amarga gate and a closing time at the lookout. In the 2025-26 bulletin: October-November and March-April, entry by 09:30 and leave the lookout by 15:00; December-February, entry by 10:00 and leave by 16:00. The park’s 2026 tariff page shows entry by 09:00 and exit by 15:00, so check the current times when you buy the ticket. CONAF also prohibits walking the trails without daylight, which rules out the pre-dawn sunrise walks many older guides suggest. Source: CONAF tariffs and hours.
Tickets and getting there
Park entry for foreign adults (18-59), in force since 1 May 2026: CLP 32,400 for one day, or CLP 48,500 for a pass of 2 or more days valid up to 10 consecutive days. Tickets are sold only online at pasesparques.cl, at least 24 hours before entry, and shown as a QR code at the gate. A day visit does not need a refugio or campsite booking. Bus-Sur runs from Puerto Natales to Laguna Amarga in about 2 hours (07:00 and 12:00 departures, September to April; return 15:00), then a cash shuttle (CLP 4,500 in 2025-26) to Central and the Welcome Center. On the 07:00 bus, check that you can reach the trail before the entry cutoff.
Winter
Winter rules change every year. In 2026 the winter regime started on 27 April: the W and Base Torres were open only with a specialised guide accredited by the Municipality of Torres del Paine (1 guide per 4 trekkers), the W was fully closed in June and July, and the guide requirement was lifted on 16 September 2026. In winter, registration is at Portería Laguna Amarga with an earlier entry limit (09:00) and lookout closing (14:00).
Safety
- The moraine is loose boulders: poles help, and the descent takes almost as long as the climb.
- Wind on the open slope before Chileno can be strong enough to stop you; wait in shelter or turn back.
- Fire is banned and there is no smoking anywhere in the park (CONAF park rules).
- Emergencies: 131 ambulance, 133 police; CONAF radio VHF 143.800 MHz.
Part of the W
Base Torres is the eastern stroke of the W Trek and the last day of the O Circuit. For the park overview see Torres del Paine guide, and for all routes Chile hiking trails. In Chile, local tour service providers provide all services; questions go to info@incatrailreservations.com.