Top Hiking Trails in Chile Trail Map
Chile covers 756,102 km² along the Andes. Its highest peak is Ojos del Salado (6,893 m by modern survey; older figures give 6,879-6,880 m). CONAF administers 46 national parks, and SERNAGEOMIN counts 87 to 92 geologically active volcanic systems. The best-known treks are in Patagonia, where Torres del Paine's trails run between about 40 m on Lago Pehoé and the John Gardner pass at about 1,200 m. Other well-known routes include the Dientes de Navarino circuit on Isla Navarino, the Villarrica volcano crater climb from Pucón, the Cerro Castillo circuit in Aysén, the Cochamó valley in the Lake District, the Cajón del Maipo trails near Santiago and the Valle de la Luna near San Pedro de Atacama.
Travel Information
Country Code
CL
Currency
CLP (Chilean Peso)
Language
Spanish
Capital
Santiago
Elevation Range
About 40 m (Lago Pehoé) to 1,200 m (John Gardner pass) in Torres del Paine; highest peak 6,893 m
Best Time to Visit
Torres del Paine: the summer season runs October to April; the O Circuit only from about November to March. Winter (from late April) brings guide requirements and closures that change each year.
Climate
Patagonian weather is ruled by strong westerly wind; rain and snow are possible in any month and conditions change within hours. Altitude is not a factor on the Patagonian treks; it is in the north, where the Andes rise above 6,000 m.
Visa Requirements
UK and Canadian visitors can stay up to 90 days without a visa (UK FCDO; Government of Canada), with an extension available online for a fee. Other nationalities: check with Chile's migration service. More in our Chile travel guide.
Health Considerations
No altitude risk on the Patagonian treks (about 40-1,200 m in Torres del Paine); altitude matters only in the northern Andes. The CDC lists hantavirus in Chile, spread by rodent droppings and urine: keep food sealed and avoid rodents in huts. CONAF says stream water in Torres del Paine can be drunk if collected upstream of trails and away from camps. Strong sun and wind: carry sun protection and windproof layers.
Emergency Number
131 ambulance; 132 fire; 133 police (Carabineros)
Permits Required
Torres del Paine: park entry CLP 32,400 (1 day) or CLP 48,500 (2-10 days) for foreign adults since 1 May 2026, bought online only at pasesparques.cl at least 24 hours ahead. Multi-day treks need confirmed reservations for every night or access to the mountain area is refused. The O Circuit adds a 100-a-day cap, registration at Guardería Coirón and cutoff times. Villarrica: certified guide mandatory. Dientes de Navarino: register with Carabineros.
Accommodation
Torres del Paine: refugios and campsites run by Las Torres Patagonia (Central, Chileno, Francés, Cuernos, Serón) and Vertice Travel (Paine Grande, Grey, Dickson, Los Perros). 2026-27 published prices: Las Torres campsites USD 40-50 pp with your own tent, beds from USD 200-230 bed only; Vertice campsites CLP 9,000 / USD 11 pp, beds from USD 46. CONAF's free camps (Torres, Italiano, Paso) were closed in 2025-26. No wild camping.
🇨🇱 Country Facts
756,102 km²
Total Area
Ojos del Salado (6,893 m)
Highest Peak
Geographic Overview
Chile covers 756,102 km² along the Andes. Its highest peak is Ojos del Salado (6,893 m by modern survey; older figures give 6,879-6,880 m). CONAF administers 46 national parks, and SERNAGEOMIN counts 87 to 92 geologically active volcanic systems. The best-known treks are in Patagonia, where Torres del Paine’s trails run between about 40 m on Lago Pehoé and the John Gardner pass at about 1,200 m. Other well-known routes include the Dientes de Navarino circuit on Isla Navarino, the Villarrica volcano crater climb from Pucón, the Cerro Castillo circuit in Aysén, the Cochamó valley in the Lake District, the Cajón del Maipo trails near Santiago and the Valle de la Luna near San Pedro de Atacama.
Culture & History
Torres del Paine is run by CONAF, with accommodation operated by two concessionaires, Las Torres Patagonia and Vertice Travel. Guides for winter treks must be accredited by the Municipality of Torres del Paine. The park’s fire law (Ley 20.653) bans any fire outside designated cooking areas, with fines up to CLP 2,000,000, prison or expulsion. Elsewhere, Villarrica’s crater can be climbed only with a certified guide hired in advance, and Dientes de Navarino hikers must register their start and finish with Carabineros.
Featured Trails in Chile
Chile at a Glance
6,893 m
Highest Peak
46
National Parks
about 90
Active Volcanic Systems
CLP 48,500
Torres del Paine Entry
When to Visit Chile
Summer (December-February)
Longest days and fullest campsites in Torres del Paine; book every night well ahead. The O Circuit is open in its season (1 November to 31 March in 2025-26).
Shoulder (October-November, March-April)
Park summer hours apply from October. Quieter trails and colder weather; some camps open late or close early (in 2025-26 Cuernos and Serón closed on 30 March). The O Circuit opens around 1 November, subject to CONAF.
Winter (late April-September)
In 2026 the W and Base Torres required an accredited guide from 27 April to 15 September, the W was fully closed in June and July, and the O was closed all winter. Microspikes and poles were required. Rules are set each year.
Practical Information
Trailhead Access
Torres del Paine: Puerto Natales is the base, about 150 km by Ruta 9 or 80 km by Y-290. Bus-Sur reaches the Laguna Amarga gate in about 2 hours (07:00 and 12:00, September-April); a cash shuttle (CLP 4,500 in 2025-26) runs on to Central. The Pehoé catamaran links Pudeto and Paine Grande (CLP 28,000 per leg). Villarrica: the crater route starts at the ski area, 20 km from Pucón.
Booking and Payment
Park tickets are sold only online at pasesparques.cl, at least 24 hours before entry, and shown as a QR code. Book refugios and campsites directly with Las Torres Patagonia or Vertice Travel; the concessionaires take cards. The Laguna Amarga shuttle is cash only.
Trail Rules
No walking without daylight, no fires outside designated cooking areas, no smoking, no drones, stay on authorised trails, register at every ranger station. Base Torres has latest-entry and lookout closing times; the O Circuit is one-way from Serón to Paso with cutoff times.
Communication and Rescue
CONAF: mobile signal only at Villa Monzino (Movistar); the park emergency radio frequency is VHF 143.800 MHz. Carabineros keep a summer post at Villa Monzino.
Emergency Contacts
Ambulance
131Chile ambulance (SAMU).
Fire
132Fire brigade.
Police (Carabineros)
133National police.
CONAF Provincial Office, Puerto Natales
+56 61 241 1843CONAF office for Torres del Paine; in the park, radio VHF 143.800 MHz.
Hospital Dr. Augusto Essmann Burgos, Puerto Natales
+56 61 229 1012Ignacio Carrera Pinto 537, Puerto Natales.
US Embassy Santiago
+56 2 2330 3000US Embassy in Santiago.
Chile Trail Regions
Magallanes
Magallanes hiking trails in Chilean Patagonia centre on Torres del Paine National Park: the W…
Frequently Asked Questions about Top Hiking Trails in Chile
Yes, for any overnight trek. CONAF requires confirmed refugio or campsite reservations for every night on the W or O; without them access to the mountain area is refused. Day hikes such as Base Torres need only the park ticket.
Since 1 May 2026 a foreign adult pays CLP 32,400 for one day or CLP 48,500 for 2 to 10 days, bought online only at pasesparques.cl at least 24 hours before entry.
About 76 km from Hotel Las Torres to Paine Grande with all three side trips, using CONAF’s segment distances, or about 65 km ending at Grey. Most people take 4 or 5 days.
The W covers the south side in 4-5 days and runs October to April. The O adds the north side and the John Gardner pass (about 1,200 m), takes 7-9 days, runs only in summer, and has a 100-a-day cap and cutoff times.
Yes, in the summer season. In winter a guide accredited by the Municipality of Torres del Paine is required on the W and Base Torres; in 2026 that ran from 27 April to 15 September.
Not in Patagonia: Torres del Paine’s highest trail point is about 1,200 m. Altitude matters only in the northern Andes, where peaks pass 6,000 m.
Not from the trailhead in the dark: CONAF prohibits walking the trails without daylight, and Base Torres has latest-entry and closing times.