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[[ES:Trekking Torres del Paine]]{{IndexadaIndexed}}
{{Itinerarios Torres del Paine_en}}
{{RutaForm2RutaForme
|Actividad=Trekking
|País=Chile (english)
|CiudadesChile=Puerto Natales
|BellezaEscenica=Impresionante
|Atractivos=Vistas panorámicas, Glaciar, Bosque, Fauna atractiva, Lago, Río, Formación Geológica, Parque Nacional
|DuraciónDuracion=8 - 10 días|Dificultad Física=Algo Exigente|Dificultad Técnica=Baja
|Sendero=Siempre Claro
|Señalizacion=Suficiente
|Infraestructura=Hotel(es), Cabaña(s), Hospedaje(s), Refugio(s), Camping
|TipoTrekComparteIdayRetorno=RecorridoCircuito|DistanciaLatitud1=117-51,7 kms 177809|DesnivelLongitud1=+5.566 metros-72, 960217|Latitud2=-5.566 metros51,072976|Longitud2=-73,093223|Latitud3=-50,972646|Longitud3=-72,875176|Distancia=117700 |MetrosAscenso=5566|MetrosDescenso=5566|Comentarios distancia=|AltitudMedia=
|Primer Autor=Patricia.Meneses
|Imágen Principal=Cuernos_del_paine.jpg
|ComentariosImagen=Cuernos del Paine from Camp Italiano. Feb. 2002. ImageFile: Francisco Reyes|m=https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1YkBgYt9iMDf3KfXmKVLHCQenBhnAFLpS
|KMLZ=Trekking Torres del Paine.kmz
|ComentariosMapa=
==Description of the route==
The Paine Circuit is a walk of 8 effective days (increasing to 9 if you chooso to walk to Dickson Glacier as well). It is typically must be done counterclockwisefrom Serón to Grey, and it includes two full day sidetrips (Valle del Francés and the base of Torres del Paine) and a branch of a couple of hours (Glacier Punta Puma)
[[Imagen:Mapa_circuito_torres_del_paine.jpg|center|frame|General map of the Torres del Paine Circuit]]
Shortly before Serón a fence must be crossed. The track passes along a slope where the hill reaches river, the last point before reaching the site. There is a stream with clean water, several picnic tables by the "puesto" of the old ''estancia'', and a small warehouse.
* '''Total expected time for this section''': 3h 20'
An hour and a half after Paso del Viento you arrive at an old camp at Coirón. The place is deserted, devoid of natural attractions and is very close to Serón, making it a bad choice for camping. There is a small stream. Ten minutes later, we reach the stream that comes from the waterfall visible upslope. The trails then continues along the hillside, past a marshy area on the right. You can now see more clearly Los Perros Glacier. Dickson Glacier is also visible under the Daudet and Cubo mountains, one of the many drains of the east side of the Southern Ice Field, . A flat stretch follows, with some minor hills. Near the lake, you can see the unusual view from the north of Torres del Paine, and mount Oggioni (1,697 m.) to the left.
[[ImageFile: Glaciar_dickson.jpg | thumb | 280px | right | Glacier Dickson and Southern Ice Fields, in rouye to Dickson campsite. February 2002 ImageFile: Francisco Reyes]]
This area is marked with stakes, at whose sides there are numerous traces of the twentieth century fires made to clear grasslands for livestock. About two hours after Coirón you reach the foot of a hill, where there is an abandoned building in a marshy area. Only half an hour later you arrive to Dickson.
* '''Total expected time for this section''': 5h 40'
===Optional day: Dickson Glacier===
First, it is necessary to cross the river in a zodiac, available during the summer months, which can be booked at the campsite. A flag in the place gives notice of leaving trekkers. Once on the other side of the lake, walk up the slope to get on the path leading to Paine lake. To the left there is a hill and to the right the Paine River. The trail continues north around a rock plateau located to the left, untill it reaches an open field. The unusual north face of Torres del Paine can be observed, and the range that leads to Paso John Garner (the one that will be faced in two more days).
After 30-35 minutes you will find stakes at the left of the road, traces of an old fence. A sign indicates to "Carabineros" (police). At that point you should turn left and continue parallel to the stakes towards the Dickson glacier. The trail is fuzzy on this stretch, so it is important tofollow the old fence or the orange stakes, in a rather flat terrain. To the left there is a rock plateau. Then you will enter a wooded area, and in a short while you will cross a stream. After 10 minutes the trail turns to the left, towards a gorge, where a there is a pass. But our route ascends a hill and then goes through the side of a scree.
[[Imagen:Glaciar Los Perros desde sector Campamento Los Perros por Heinz Weber.jpg|thumb|280px|Glacier Los Perros from Los Perros camp, ny Heinz Weber]]
The day starts with the path marked by a flag, which leads to a dense forest composed mainly of ''lengas'', but also by ''coigües'' and ''notros''. After 15 minutes you will be see at your back Dickson Lake and the glacier of the same name. At 350 meters of altitude you must cross an old fence. A more mature forest follows, and a wooden walkway follows.
Then there is a great viewpoint in an open partly-flooded space. There is a small hill with good views. The trail turns left along the marshy area and then descends to the Cabeza del Indio River, where a wooded bridge. The track then climbs a muddy area and advances to the southwest along the Los Perros river valley. After about half an hour from Cabeza del Indio there will be a waterfall. The trail continues next to the river, with little slope, under the shadow of the forest, interrupted by occasional fallen trees and frequent streams of fresh water.
Two and a half hours after the waterfall a suspension bridge that crosses the Perros River is reached. At this point, Los Perros Glacier becomes visible. The trail climbs the moraine in a stretch where the trail becomes less clear. After 15 minutes the top of the small moraine is reached, boasting a beautiful view of the glacier and its lagoon, usually populated by floating ice. We also see the route to "El Paso". Go on along the the moraine.
The campsite is located in a ''lenga'' forest, at 540m. There is a small store, restrooms and sites for bonfires. It costs $ 4 '''All campsites must be paid in advance,000 p / pand you will not be able to start the hike if you can't show the rangers that you have a booking for each campsite on consecutive nights.'''
* '''Total expected time for this section''': 4h 20'
====Side hike to Punta Puma Glacier====
From Los Perros, follow the track that leads to the pass. After crossing the river by the bridge, continue straight along the river O'Brien instead of turning left towards the pass. You will walk by the river in a space devoid of vegetation. When it's no longer possible to continue on this course, make your re-entry to the forest. The trail is blurred and it lacks signs, but it's easy enough to advance parallel to the river, under the shade of a dense forest. Then you will walk up a hillside and the river will be visible down, in a narrow bed.
After about 25 minutes, you will reach an area of scrubby vegetation growing on the moraine, from which point the Punta Puma glacier is already visible.
* '''Total expected time for this section''': 1h to the glacier, 45' back
===Day 4: Los Perros - Paso John Gardner - Guardas===[[imagen:Paso_John_Garner.jpg|thumb|280px|To John Gardner pass, looking west. Feb. de 2002. ImageFile: Francisco Reyes]]
This is the hardest day. From Los Perros continue down the path across the river by the footbridge. Then turn left, heading towards the Pass. The trail has been marked in the trees for some stretch. Then cross a swampy area (it's the only part of the whole trek where gaiters would de helpful) that will last for the next hour. There are some open areas with good views.
After an hour and a half, at 760m, the trails approaches the Paso river, Cross guided by the orange markings on a narrower section. It is important to get this place right, because it is not easy to cross at other points. The path continues climbing on the other side of the river, leaving behind the swampy area. Now it is usually windy, and the terrain rocky, with the orange markings on the rocks. From several hundred meters below the pass, it becomes likely to find snow even in the summer months. If there is rain forecasted for the park, it is likely that here it will snow. [[ImageFile: Glaciar_grey_bajando_del_paso.jpg | thumb | 280px | right | Glacier Grey and Southern Ice Fields from the drop step. Feb. 2002 ImageFile: Francisco Reyes]] John Gardner pass is at 1200 m., 1 ½ hours beyond the river crossing. It allowes to cross the massif of the Cordillera del Paine to the western sector of the park. The views of the Southern Ice Fields and Grey Glacier are spectacular, so, coupled with the possibility of snowfall described, it is strongly suggested to do it only with good weather. There are orange rods that serve to guide the way when the weather worsens the visibility. The descent follows a moraine, always with stunning view. The retreat of the glacier can be appreciated: the former nunatak is now a peninsula, and has recently appeared a second nunatak. After 15 minutes of descent, at 950m. the first glimpses of vegetation appear, with some ''lengas'' dwarfed and bent by the wind. As you walk through the forest, the glacier is visible through the branches. The descent is steep and demanding.
At 550 m. and after just under 2 hours of descent, an old camp sector is reached. It's a rather narrow place, nestled among the trees, indicated by the sign "Camp El Paso." Continue in a southerly direction parallel to the glacier. There are some areas with large ''lengas''.
* Sleeping bag: Torres del Paine is not very cold during the summer, so a midrange sleeping bag is okey
* Sunscreen
* Penknife, lightweight plastic cookware
==== Desirable gear ====
