The walk to the base of the Torres del Paine granite towers is one of the great day hikes in the world — a 22-km round trip through Patagonian lenga beech forest and moraine rubble to a turquoise glacial lake beneath three soaring 2,850-metre granite needles. This companion post accompanies a real torres del paine walking tour filmed on video, specifically Torres del Paine Patagonia Chile Trekking Base Torres, which covers the Base Torres hike in Chilean Patagonia.
About This Walking Tour
This video covers the Base Torres day hike — the most popular single walk in Torres del Paine National Park and widely considered one of the finest day hikes in South America. The trail begins at Las Torres hotel (the main trailhead) and rises through the valley of the Río Ascencio, crossing a suspension bridge and climbing through lenga (southern beech) forest before the final steep moraine scramble to the lake at the foot of the three granite towers.
The return hike is approximately 22 km with approximately 800 metres of elevation gain, averaging 8–9 hours for most hikers. The unstable moraine field in the final section requires care and sturdy footwear — the towers appear suddenly above the ridge of loose rocks, reflected in the startlingly turquoise glacial lake when conditions are right. Patagonian wind is the defining variable: the park receives some of the strongest sustained winds in the world, and even on a clear day the gusts can be powerful enough to knock a walker sideways. Early morning departures (before 6am) are strongly recommended to reach the mirador in the best morning light before the afternoon wind builds.
Highlights of Torres del Paine
The three Torres (towers) are granite laccolith intrusions — magma that pushed into older metamorphic rock approximately 12 million years ago, then exposed by glacial erosion. They rise 2,850 metres and their sheer vertical faces attract some of the world’s most demanding rock climbers. The turquoise glacial lake at their base is coloured by glacial rock flour — fine particles ground from the bedrock by glacial action that remain suspended in the water and scatter light to produce the extraordinary colour. The lake’s surface reflects the towers when wind is absent, creating the mirror images that appear in thousands of photographs.
The park also contains the Grey Glacier and the Cuernos del Paine (Horns) — a related rock formation visible from the W Trek and offering another extraordinary landscape experience. The park’s wildlife includes guanacos (wild relatives of the llama), condors, pumas, and abundant birdlife. The Patagonian steppe and lenga forest ecosystems visible on the hike are among the most pristine temperate wilderness areas remaining in South America.
A Brief History of Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine National Park was established by the Chilean government in 1959 and expanded to its current extent of 181,414 hectares in 1975. The granite massif was formed 12 million years ago; the last glaciation that shaped the valleys and deposited the moraines visitors scramble over ended approximately 10,000 years ago. The word “Paine” comes from the Tehuelche indigenous language and means “blue,” referring to the colour of the lakes.
The park suffered significant damage in fires in 2005 and 2011–12; the 2011 fire was started by a Czech tourist’s camping stove and burned approximately 17,000 hectares of irreplaceable lenga beech forest. Strict fire regulations are now enforced throughout the park. The park receives approximately 250,000 visitors annually, with numbers carefully managed through trail permits, camping reservations, and park entry fees.
Practical Tips
Chile’s currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). Spanish is the official language. The nearest airports are Punta Arenas (248 km, 3 hours by road) and Puerto Natales (112 km, 1.5 hours). Bus services connect Puerto Natales to the park entrance. The Base Torres hike requires no technical climbing but does require good fitness and sturdy waterproof walking boots. Patagonian weather changes extremely rapidly — always carry waterproofs, warm layers, and wind protection regardless of morning conditions. Park entry requires a reservation through the CONAF website in high season.
Best Time to Visit
November through March for the Patagonian summer — longer daylight hours, higher temperatures, and the best chance of clear views of the towers. December and January are peak season with the most visitors and strongest winds. April and May offer the spectacular autumn colours in the lenga beech forest with fewer visitors but more unpredictable weather. Winter (June–August) closes many trails and facilities.
Watch & Explore More
Watch the Base Torres trekking video above and experience the walk to one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. For more South American wilderness and city walks, see Santiago: Barrio Italia to Cerro Santa Lucía and Valparaíso: Hillside Ascensors and Street Art. Subscribe to @walkingtoursvideoscom for walking tours from extraordinary places around the world.