Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park

Hiking holiday at Torres del Paine

Chile is endowed with a number of excellent natural hiking destinations. Torres del Paine is one of the Protected Wild Areas of the XII Region of Chile. The hiking vacation spot is approximately 6,728,744 hectares. There are a variety of animal species and vegetations that can be seen in the area. That is why it is not surprising that UNESCO declared Torres del Paine as a Biosphere Reserve on April 28, 1978. The attractive sceneries and its natural geographic characteristics make the place a good destination for any outdoor adventure.

Marked trails for hiking

The hiking trip to Torres del Paine starts early because hikers need to maximize the sunlight. The park entrance is far from the urban part of Chile. Panoramic sceneries can be seen even from the park entrance. In fact, the granite towers of Paine could already be viewed from the area. The backpacking trails at Torres del Paine are limited. Because Torres del Paine National Park wants to ensure the safety of hikers at all times, only the marked hiking trails could be explored. This method would not limit the enjoyment of the hikers. The marked trails would still allow the hikers to view the majestic sceneries and rare flora and fauna in Torres del Paine. At the start of the trail, hikers could expect to see pink flamingos, foxes, guanacos, ostriches, condors, and black-necked swans. They could also take a look at the varied vegetations in the park because the area is home to a lot of forests.

The degree of hiking difficulty in Torres del Paine might vary depending on the sites that hikers would visit. There are hanging bridges in some parts to allow hikers to cross rivers. Once the hikers begin to ascend the area, the slope would become steeper. It is advisable to wear multiple layers of clothing when going to this hiking destination. The temperature and condition of the weather may change as hikers go on the trail. Clothes made of cotton would not be best suited for the hiking trip. It is advisable that hikers leave behind their extra baggage before starting the trail as the heavy weight of their hikers’ bags could hinder their trek.

Water sources are not a problem in Torres del Paine. Water formations such as rivers, lakes,lagoons, and even waterfalls are always available in the area. It is believed that the glaciers in the surrounding areas led to the formation of these water sources. Camp sites are established in the area so hikers could be assured of places to rest. The park boasts of a large number of lodges, resorts, inns, and hotels within the area. It is for this reason that night camping is not allowed in Torres del Paine. Hikers who plan to cook their meals must bring an oven stove because the park does not allow matches and other fire-making tools.

Accommodations in Torres del Paine

Hikers are advised to coordinate with a travel agency or the office of Tores del Paine National Park. This would ensure reservations in the area’s lodges, resorts, inns, and hotels. Such accommodation establishments are made available within and outside the area.

Accommodation example: The Hostería las Torres is locacted inside Torres del Paine’s protected area.

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How to get to Torres del Paine

Hiking vacations are common in Chile so transportation won’t be a problem. There are travel agencies that provide shuttle services from the airport in Santiago. Hikers could also go to Puerto Natales City and drive northwest to Route 9. Potential vacationers could also take a shuttle or drive from Chile’s Punta Arenas.

Sources:
InterPatagonia
InterPatagonia