Ver el código de «ENG:Trekking Torres del Paine»

{{Indexed}}
{{Itinerarios Torres del Paine_en}}
{{RutaForm2_english
|Actividad=Trekking

|País=Chile (english)
|CiudadesChile=Puerto Natales
|BellezaEscenica=Impresionante
|Atractivos=Vistas panorámicas, Glaciar, Bosque, Fauna atractiva, Lago, Río, Formación Geológica, Parque Nacional
|Duración=8 - 10 días
Algo Exigente

|Sendero=Siempre Claro
|Señalizacion=Suficiente
|Infraestructura=Hotel(es), Cabaña(s), Hospedaje(s), Refugio(s), Camping
|TipoTrek=Recorrido
|ComparteIdayRetorno=Circuito
|Latitud1=-51,177809
|Longitud1=-72,960217
|Latitud2=-51,072976
|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. File: Francisco Reyes
|KMLZ=Trekking Torres del Paine.kmz
|ComentariosMapa=
{{colores|red|Section shared with [[W circuit Torres del Paine]]}}
{{colores|blue|The rest of the circuit, not as popular}}
{{colores|yellow|Alternatives to Dickson glacier (described below as an aditional day), the hike to [[Mirador Zapata]] and the walk from the park entry (CONAF post) to Paine Grande Camp (see [[W circuit Torres del Paine]])}}
{{colores|white|Roads}}
{{Colores|green|Boats}}
|TipoDeMap=HYBRID
}}
==Introduction==
[[Imagen:Lago Grey, Valle del Frances y Cuernos del Paine desde Hosteria Lago Grey por David Thyberg.jpg|thumb|500px|Lago Grey, Valle del Francés, Cuernos del Paine from Hostería Lago Grey by David Thyberg]]
[[Imagen:Mirador de las Torres con arcoiris por Dmitry Arkhipov.jpg|thumb|500px|Las Torres and rainbow, by Dmitry Arkhipov]]
The '''Torres del Paine Trek''' is one of the most spectacular destinations in the world. In fact, according to a review of 9 specialized books that make their own selections of the best routes in the world, Torres del Paine is the most frequently named (you can check the study out in [[Best Treks / Hikes of the World, top 100]]). Unsurprisingly, it is extremely popular, and it is strongly advised to visit the route from November to early December, to avoid the massive flow of walkers of January and February. 

Before you start with this description, please read the [[Itineraries Torres del Paine National Park| Suggested itineraries]], to decide what's the best way to enjoy your days there. You can also get a general idea of [[Parque Nacional Torres del Paine|Torres del Paine National Park]]. 

Note that although this route is located in Patagonia, famous by its remoteness and harsh climate, this is a low altitude trek and equiped with good infrastructure, so it's a trip that anyone reasonable fit can do, with or without experience, and certainly without guides. 

That said, if you have no experience whatsoever trekking, it is especially important to pay attention to the advicse regarding equipment and food: it is very common for inexperienced people who rush to this hike to suffer carrying heavy and/or very poor quality food or equipment. While it is a challenge that anyone can take, you can not just bring the family pot that weights half a kilo from home, a solid stove designed for car-based camping, or those bulky shoes more oriented to industrial tasks than to the idea of walking 7 hours day. 

And now, enjoy!

==Best season==
The best time for this route is between November and March. November and December are ideal, when the weather has improved, the days are long and there are not as many people doing the circuit as in January or February. Winter is a beautiful time, but the circuit is too lonely for these months, and so at that time is the [[W circuit]] is preferable, or the far less ambitious hike to the [[Base of the Torres del Paine]].

{{Acceso Parque Nacional Torres del Paine_en}}

=== Transportation from CONAFpost in Laguna Amarga to Hosteria Las Torres (start of the trekking) === 
To get to the lodge there are two options: walk 7 km by road vehicle (1.5 hours) or take a transfer of $ 2,500 / ea. There are also good options to hitchhike if traveling in a small group.

==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 done counterclockwise, 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]]

The following image shows the altitude profile of the route. Note that this is a low altitude trek, but, given the harsh climate of the place, mountain conditions can occur even in the summer months.
 
[[Imagen:Perfil_circuito_torres_del_paine_.png|frame|center|Profile of the route]]

===Day 1: Hostería Las Torres - Serón===
[[Imagen:Seron margaritas.jpg|thumb|280px|Daisies just before Serón. Imagen: [http://www.panoramio.com/user/1638473 Gabcpd]]]

[[Imagen:Margaritas en sector Campamento Seron por Jaredk.jpg|thumb|280px|Margaritas en sector Campamento Serón por Jaredk]]

'''Note: Altough it has been designated as day 1, it may also be the 2nd day if you choose to hike to the base of Torres del Paine (day 8 here) first instead of last'''.

The path to the circuit starts behind the lodge "Las Torres". After a little more than 100 meters the first sign appears, showing the path towards Seron camp. Climb a small hill and then cross a wooden gate (please close it once crossed, like all others). The trail traverses an open, uncluttered area with scattered trees (especially beech and notros). From this point, Mount Almirante Nieto (2,640 m) starts to dissapear, after dominating the area of Las Torres. 

Laguna Amarga then appears. The entrance to the National Park and the vehicular road to the area of plains become visible. It is an lower area, with a more stable and drier climate than the western side of the park, whose mountains trap moisture from the Pacific. Behind us we can see, in the distance, Mount Balmaceda (2,036 m). After about half an hour a second wooden gate has to crossed to start walking through a wooded area, where soon another signaling post appears, and a fence runs parallel to the path we have been following. Fifteen minutes later, a small spring is crossed through a wooden bridge. Continuing along the path, it will enter and exit the forest cyclically another cpuple of times. 

After about an hour of walking, a new signal is shown. From this point, we can see Laguna Azul in the distance, and the Paine river in the lower valley. Now it will be seen more clearly in the whole area of the northeastern shore of Paine (the opposite bank of our trail), the effects of the fire that broke out on February 17, 2005. 

After an hour and half, you pass over a second stream, opposite to Laguna Azul and with good view of the valley of Paine, the river that gives the park its name. The trail then circles the Paine (1,508 m., not to be confused with the Paine Grande of 3,050 m and the southernmost "three thousand" of America), whose slopes contain lots of burned logs due to frequent fires of the twentieth century. Ahead, there will be a major creek, to which the trail gently descends, carrying a significant amount of water. Then there is a new wooden gate, and then the trail descends to an open area with some ñirres on the sides. 

Later the path goes down to a confluence of two paths: the one we have been following and the one that comes from Laguna Amarga. There's a new poster and another locking wooden bar. We are now in a wide, flat terrain to traverse along the Paine River, beautifully covered with daisies and some ñirres, isolated or in small forests. After 20 minutes there is a rustic railing provided with a rope. When you get closer to the river, there will be a forest of ñirres. 

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. 

Serón campsite is paid: $ 4000 p / p.

* '''Total expected time for this section''': 3h 20'

===Day 2: Serón - Dickson===
[[imagen:Torres_por_detras.jpg|thumb|280px|left|Unusual look of Las Torres del Paine viewed from the north, by Francisco Reyes]]
[[Imagen:Torres y Lago Dickson desde sector Refugio Dickson por Fernando Palma.jpg|thumb|280px|Las Torres and Lago Dickson from Refugio Dickson, by Fernando Palma]]
[[Imagen:Cerro Ohnet entre Refugio Dickson y Campamento seron por Tetsuya.jpg|thumb|280px|Cerro Ohnet, taken between Refugio Dickson and Campamento Serón, by Tetsuya]]

From Seron advance 200 meters parallel to a fence, and then cross it. The walk still goes through the meadow of daisies and occasional ñirres. It will continue along a marshy area located to the right of the path. After about 25 minutes, it passes through a stream that flows to a tributary of the Paine River. Then the trail climbs along the river and becomes more rocky, while the first ''neneos'' arise, a curious shrub with a rounded form, as well as some calafates (possibly without its famous fruit, due to the frequent passage of walkers). After 250 meters, it will be possible to observe a lagoon with a characteristic kidney shape, at which point there is a sign indicating the route. It will then start a zigzag ascent along a section of screes, to an altitude of 400 meters, in the so called Paso del Viento ("windy pass"), a name well earned. At that point, the trail bends to the west, allowing the Paine lake to be observed in its entirety. From this point, you enter a wilder area of the park, and the path forward is clearly seen: the way to Coirón, the Dickson camp, Los Perros Glacier to the left and the valley leading to the John Garner Pass. To the right, away from the trail, Mount Ohnet of 1,929m can be seen. The path descends by the side of Paine Lake. Half way there is a small spring. After the second half of the lake, progress is retarded by fluctuating ups and downs. 

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.
[[File: Glaciar_dickson.jpg | thumb | 280px | right | Glacier Dickson and Southern Ice Fields, in rouye to Dickson campsite. February 2002 File: 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. 

The camping Dickson is paid: $ 4000 p / p.

* '''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.

After half an hour you get to Quemado Lake (300 m) east of Lake Dickson, in an environment marked by ancient fires, but that is slowly recovering. The trail goes up and down several times. After a half hour from Quemado Lake, you will return to an area of mature forest, not destroyed by fires. The trail here is marked with orange color. There are wooden bridges and walkways built by Carabineros. As the forest is left behind, the glacier appears. The trail goes through a swampy area and then reaches a small hill to the left, which we recommend to climb, to take advantage of its magnificent view. 

About 15 minutes later, after passing another forest with streams and bridges, the trail climbs to an open space where the Carabineros post is located, to covers the border area adjacent to Southern Ice Field. Few minutes past the police post you will find the splendid Dickson viewpoint, where the mountains Daudet and Cube will be observed, besides the glacier.

* '''Total expected time for this section''': 2h 55' one way, 2h 30' to go back, plus the time required to cross the river.

===Day 3: Dickson - Los Perros===
[[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 $ 4,000 p / p.

* '''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. 

Then you have to cross a small barrier of loose stones before reaching a rocky terrain, devoid of vegetation. An isolated clump of young ''lengas'' surprises in this landscape. The remaining distance to the glacier is just a path of little slope. 

After an hour of walking, and at 750 meters of altitude, the glacier is reached. The lower end is covered with rocks. and flows with a gentle slope to the valley. You can walk a little over it, to an area of white ice. 
If you do this branch, it is advisable to go if you arrive no to late to Los Perros, but it is not recommended to allocate a full day to it.

* '''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. File: 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. 
[[File: Glaciar_grey_bajando_del_paso.jpg | thumb | 280px | right | Glacier Grey and Southern Ice Fields from the drop step. Feb. 2002 File: 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''. 

After 40 minutes from the previous point, you arrrive to camp El Paso, located in a narrow sector along the trail, by a creek. There is a small bathroom and an open container that serves as a shelter and natural gathering place for campers. It lacks services or toilets, but it's free.

* '''Total expected time for this section (untill El Paso)''': 5h 45'


'''Note''' <br> 
From this point (which in this review are listed as days 5 and 6) how to distribute your time is not as clear as on days 1 to 4. Day 7 clearly will be to Hosteria Las Torres but the starting point may vary. Day 8 (which can also be day 1) is almost fixed too (except for those willing to follow the [[Valle del Silencio]], who may take two days) so only days 6 and 7 show a significant dispersion of options among trekkers. 

* Option 1: recommended in this review. Camp at Guardas (free camping but no services. Next day, walk to Paine Grande. Next day, go to Camp Italiano, leave the camping gear, continue to Valle del Francés and back to Camp Italiano. 
* Option 2: Camp at El Paso. Next day, walk to Paine Grande (a demanding day), and the next day go to Camp Italiano, leave the camping gear, continue to Valle del Francés and back to Camp Italiano. 
* Option 3: Camp at Guardas. Next day walk to Paine Grande, and the next day go to the Camp Británico. Then follow from Británico to Las Torres in a single tranche. 
* Option 4: Keep walking to the camp Grey, in other 4-4 1/2 hours (a pretty hard day). Next day, reach the camp Italiano, and the next day go up and down Valle del Francés. 
*Other options that combine the above. 

From the pass, climb a long slope that leads to a viewpoint of the Grey. The trail continues well marked with many ups and downs, and frequent roots that must be overcome. Several small streams and a second viewpoint is then crossed. Then, keep going through an area of cliffs and old fires, where there are visible traces of burned trees. After an hour of walking you will find a larger creek, where a rustic ladder helps the ascent. It is followed by a steep cliff on the banks of the Grey Glacier. Twenty minutes later, there is another gorge provided with a wooden staircase. Past the cliffs area, you reenter the forest of ''lengas'' and ''coigües''. Then follows another creek, with huge cliffs that drop to the glacier.

* '''Total expected time for this section (untill Los Guardas)''': 8h 45'

===Day 5: Guardas - Paine Grande===
[[Imagen:A_los_guardas.jpg|thumb|280px|Ropes help in the Grey Glacier area]]

From Los Guardas the route continues through the forest. After 35 minutes a viewpoint of Grey Glacier is reached. Then the trail leaves the glacier and takes us through forest. An hour and a half from Los Guardas there is a signposted junction leading to the ''refugio'' and to the trail that leads to the viewpoint.

{{Grey - Paine Grande_en}}
*''' Total expected time for this section ''': 5h 35'

===Day 6: Paine Grande - Valle del Francés===
{{Paine Grande - Valle del Frances en}}

===Day 7: Valle del Francés - Hostería Las Torres (Los Cuernos del Paine)===
{{Valle del Frances - Hosteria Las Torres en}}

===Day 8: Torres del Paine (2 days if you extend it to [[Valle del Silencio]])===
{{Base de Las Torres_en}}
*'''Total expected time for this section''': Three and a half hours up, two hours return, plus the well deserved time off to take pictures in the viewpoint.

===Total expected time for the whole Torres del Paine circuit===
This review shows 8 days, or 9 if you include the little-used side trip to Dickson Glacier. Since the climate in the area is unstable and most likely there are going to be bad days, it is desirable to consider at least 11 walking days.
{{Tarifa Parque Nacional Torres del Paine_en}}

==Recommendations == 
=== Total expected time=== 
* Consider at least 3 days of bad weather to avoid walking under the rain, especially on John Gardner Pass. 
* Highly recommended to download [http://www.torresdelpaine.com/img/secciones/02/a/iconos/TDP.pdf the oficial map], with all the trails and expected times, or the also very complete [http://www.parquetorresdelpaine.cl/upload/files/Folleto20132.jpg CONAF map].

===Recommended gear=== 
* Shoes: Leather. Ideally, without patches of cloth, or with waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, since you will have to deal with muddy areas, and snow and/or heavy rains are not uncommon. Soles must be in good condition to face slippery ground. 
* Clothing: Weather varies quickly. Use hollow synthetic fibers as first layer, as they do not absorb water and keep the temperature. Avoid cotton or jeans. Waterproof and breathable jacket or pants are a must. 
* Hats: one for the sun and one for the cold. 
* Sunglasses: must have effective UV protection, since the ozone layer is weakened in this region 
* Backpack: must be comfortable and spacious, to avoid carrying hanging gear. Do not forget to bring your raincover
* Tent: It doesn't have to be an expensive technical tent, but a self-deployed beach tent is not enough for patagonian gusts
* Stove: light, propane or gas. Avoid heavy camping stoves designed for motorized camping. The pots should also be light, not ordinary domestic pots 
* Headlamp 
* 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 ==== 
* Poles: a pair of trekking poles, or ski poles if the former is not available, are often useful, especially for descents and to cross streams 
* GPS or, lacking that, a compass. With GPS and [[Media:Trekking_Torres_del_Paine.kmz|the KMZ file]] navigation is easier, although the circuit do not present any difficulty to manage without GPS. 
* Trekking socks trail: It is advisable to wear specialized socks. After 8 days of walking, they really make a difference compared to ordinary socks. 
* First Aid Kit

{{abastecimiento Torres del Paine_en}}

==Speed record==
18:30, by Andy Tubbs from the U.S. [http://www.mer.cl/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?dt=2012-02-19&PaginaId=2&bodyid=2 News]
{{galeria de fotos Torres del Paine en}}
{{Trekkings Chile english}}