Patagonia HIking: Tips on Exploring The End of the World
Patagonia HIking: Tips on Exploring The End of the World
Sometimes, it seems that people run out of superlatives when describing Patagonia’s natural splendor. Lonely Planet gushed about it, saying it “bristles with mountain ranges and glitters with glaciers.” National Geographic lauds its landscapes as “untamed, unconquerable,” while Travel + Leisure praises its “one-of-a-kind vistas of sweeping freshwater lakes, teal lagoons [and] ice floes.” And that’s barely scratching the surface.
Put simply, there is no place on earth quite like Patagonia, and trekking through these postcard-perfect wilds is an experience unlike any other. Those who set off on foot here can venture through subpolar forests, through windswept pampa where guanacos graze, and even climb peaks where condors soar.
There are so many treks to be undertaken close to the hotel, and some that can be multi-day excursions. Here are some tips and recommendations for hiking in Patagonia.
Best time to hike: October/November (spring) and March/April (fall)
Gear to pack: Mother Nature usually dictates the day’s activities, and Patagonia is known for having the four seasons in one day. Be prepared for weather conditions to fluctuate and understand that sometimes last-minute changes are necessary. When it comes to clothing, it’s best to dress in layers and wear comfortable (and water resistant, if possible) shoes.
Trekking options for every level of activity and experience:
Easier
Discovering Torres del Paine: This series of short, brisk treks will illuminate the titular park’s stunning natural and human history. Savor scintillating views of everything from the famed towers to windswept pampas to pristine, postcard-perfect lakes, lagoons, and glaciers.
Milodon Cave Walking Tour: This relatively easy walk will take us through peaceful forests to these ancient caves, where our guide will talk about prehistoric tribes that lived here as well as the giant herbivorous sloth that gave the cave its name.
Benítez Rupestre Walking Tour: Enjoy the natural splendor all around us, hiking through a placid Magellanic forest and marveling at picturesque Lake Sofia and the imposing Señoret Mountain Range.
More difficult
Trekking Baguales: With a medium-level of elevation gain, this rigorous trek to Sierra Bagueles (meaning “wild mountain”) allows us to get our heart rates up while fully immersing ourselves in the majesty of the Patagonian landscape.
Condor Walking Tour: On this avian adventure, we’ll enjoy a brisk 1.5 hour hike to a cliff of nesting condors, where we may see them take flight against a surreal setting of Laguna Sofia and the fjords of Last Hope Sound.
Challenging
Trekking Señoret: This rigorous, four-hour hike takes guests through verdant forests and past captivating rock formations. Arriving at the peak, we experience a full 360-degree vista of mountains, fjord, and even a view into Argentina.
Trekking at the Caves & Horns Lookout: On this full-day exploration of Torres del Paine, enjoy two of the most beautiful (and relatively easy) trails in this world-famous wilderness. Admire lakes, a waterfall, the iconic Paine massif, and more.
Trekking Cerro Castillo: This challenging climb rewards adventurers with jaw-dropping views of deep-blue lakes, the Paine massif, and the vast expanse of the Patagonian steppe as we ascend the slope of Castillo Mountain.
Serious hikers only (expert guide required)
Trekking Torres del Paine Base Viewpoint: This eight-hour excursion to the base of the iconic towers of Torres del Paine takes us through forests of Nothofagus, up steep rocky inclines, and to absolutely jaw-droppingly beautiful vistas.
Trekking Cerro Tenerife: As we steadily traverse the arduous-yet-alluring trail on this demanding trail , we gain more than 5,000 feet of elevation. The exertion is worth it: we witness a panorama that includes the Andes, the ice-fields, and the remarkable Patagonian wilderness.
Active Eastern Exploration of Torres del Paine National Park: Designed for fit travelers, this excursion includes multiple hikes of moderate difficulty (a total of 12km/7.5 miles). Highlights include: Nordenskjold Lake, Sarmiento Lake, Paine massif, and the “horns” of Paine.
Active Western Exploration of Torres del Paine National Park: On this strenuous adventure, we’ll experience two of the best—and least visited—vistas in the park. Highlights include: Lake Toro, views of the Southern Ice Fields, Paine and Serrano rivers, Paine massif, Mirador Condor,Lake Pehoé, Grey Lake, Mirador Ferrier.