Base Torres: the day hike to the towers
No booking, but a park ticket – from the Welcome Center to the foot of the granite towers.
The Mirador Base Torres is the viewpoint below the three granite towers that give Torres del Paine National Park its name. CONAF measures three sections from Hotel Las Torres: 5 km (3.1 mi) to Refugio Chileno, 3 km (1.9 mi) to Guardería Torres and 1.4 km (0.9 mi) over the moraine, 9.4 km (5.8 mi) each way in total. You do not need a booking, but you do need the park ticket, bought at least 24 hours ahead.
The trail starts on the grounds of the private Reserva Las Torres, which charges no entry fee. From the Welcome Center between Portería Laguna Amarga and Hotel Las Torres it heads into the Valle Ascencio, past Refugio Chileno and through lenga forest to Guardería Torres.
The last kilometre crosses boulders and, according to CONAF, is demanding. Las Torres Patagonia puts the whole route at 18.8 km (11.7 mi) and about eight hours there and back. Hiking is only allowed in daylight.
In numbers
- Hotel Las Torres–Refugio Chileno
- 5 km (3.1 mi), 2 h
- Refugio Chileno–Guardería Torres
- 3 km (1.9 mi), 90 min
- Guardería Torres–Mirador
- 1.4 km (0.9 mi), 1 h
- Each way (total)
- 9.4 km (5.8 mi)
- Return trip according to Las Torres
- 18.8 km (11.7 mi), about 8 h
- Laguna Amarga–Welcome Center
- 7 km (4.3 mi), 25 min by shuttle
- Start
- by 9:00
- Exit
- by 15:00
