Torres del Paine Highlights Hiking Tour from Puerto Natales

Your journey kicks off bright and early, with your guide picking you up from your accommodation in Puerto Natales between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. You'll set off northbound on Route 9, taking in the stunning Patagonian landscapes during a picturesque two-hour drive toward Torres del Paine National Park.

The adventure officially begins as you enter the park through the Laguna Amarga entrance, continuing on to the Sarmiento Gate—your starting point for the first hike of the day. This trail winds through awe-inspiring terrain that once captivated the imagination of early explorers like Lady Florence Dixie, who described the untouched beauty of these wild lands over a century ago.

Once you've entered Torres del Paine National Park through the Laguna Amarga Gate and completed the check-in process, you'll head toward the Sarmiento Gate area to begin your first hike: the Aonikenk Trail.

This gentle, low-difficulty trek takes around 2 hours and guides you across the vast Patagonian steppe, where you'll be treated to panoramic views of the Paine Massif and nearby lakes. Surrounded by the raw silence and expansive beauty of the landscape, it’s a peaceful and inspiring way to begin your day of discovery.

Trail: From Sarmiento Lake Entrance to Laguna Amarga Entrance

Distance: 4.13 miles (6.64 km)

Elevation gain: 1,152 ft (351 m)

Duration: Approximately 2 hours

This trail is teeming with wildlife, offering plenty of opportunities for you and your guide to observe and learn about the local fauna. One of the highlights along the way is a visit to ancient cave paintings—remarkable works of art created over 10,000 years ago by the region’s earliest inhabitants. After exploring this fascinating site, you'll continue on to the Laguna Amarga entrance, where the next chapter of your adventure begins.

At the conclusion of the hike, a minibus will be ready for you at the Laguna Amarga Gate to take you onward to the Pudeto area. There, you’ll have the chance to see the stunning Salto Grande Waterfall, a spectacular 12-meter cascade linking Lake Nordenskjöld and Lake Pehoé.

From this point forward, your guide will customize the itinerary based on the group’s interests, the day’s weather, and the season to ensure the best possible experience.

Starting from Salto Grande, you’ll embark on a gentle hike of approximately 2 hours round-trip through the classic Patagonian steppe. Along the way, you’ll pass by lagoons teeming with diverse bird species until you reach the Cuernos Viewpoint, situated on the edge of Lake Nordenskjöld. Here, you’ll be rewarded with one of the park’s most breathtaking panoramas, featuring the striking Cuernos del Paine as the focal point.

After soaking in the views, you’ll retrace your steps back to the trailhead, where the minibus will be waiting to pick you up.

Trail: Salto Grande to Cuernos Viewpoint (round trip)

Distance: 4.14 miles (6.66 km)

Elevation gain: 873 ft (266 m)

Duration: About 2 hours and 30 minutes

Afterwards, you’ll head to Camping Pehoé, where you can take a well-earned rest and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the glacial lake. Keep in mind that meals are not included in the tour, but you’ll have the option to buy food at the campground (depending on availability) or bring your own packed lunch from Puerto Natales.

To conclude the day, you’ll set out on a final 2-hour round-trip hike to the breathtaking Condor Viewpoint, located near the Pehoé area.

The trail involves a moderate climb, reaching an elevation of 350 meters (1,148 feet), where you’ll be greeted by one of the park’s most iconic panoramas: Paine Grande, the French Valley, and the Cuernos del Paine, with Lake Pehoé sprawled below. Along the way, you’ll pass through typical Patagonian steppe vegetation, have chances to spot native birds, and, if luck is on your side, see the majestic Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) soaring overhead. This spot is ideal for capturing incredible photos and wrapping up your day in Torres del Paine with an unforgettable view.

Trail: Condor Viewpoint (round trip)

Distance: 1.49 miles (2.4 km)

Elevation gain: 1,148 ft (350 m)

Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes

You’ll board the minibus alongside your guide and begin the approximately two-hour journey back to Puerto Natales. You can expect to arrive at your accommodation between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM.