Trek Lago Sarmiento

Lake Sarmiento / Lago Sarmiento

Information

  • Operated: All year
  • Start: CONAF Hut - Portería (Entrance) Lago Sarmiento
  • End: CONAF Hut - Portería (Entrance) Laguna Amarga
  • Trek Time: 3 hours
  • Distance: 6 km approximately
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Experience Required: None
  • Altitude Gain: 200 m

Description

A wonderful and unforgettable excursion that connects two of the four entrances that the Torres del Paine National Park has, allowing you to see and experience lots of wildlife.

From the moment of entering the park through the Portería Lago Sarmiento, you will start the trail with a slight inclination that offers a lateral view of Lake Sarmiento, which is the preferred hunting area for the puma. Also, from here you will have a spectacular view of the Torres del Paine massif.

After an hour of walking you will arrive to a rocky conglomerate where there are more than 20 cave paintings that date back around 6,000 years ago. The activity continues towards Laguna Blanquillos, which is a nesting and feeding place for different endemic bird species in Patagonia

After 3 hours of walking you will arrive at the main access to the Torres del Paine National Park: the Laguna Amarga entrance.

Blue Lagoon / Laguna Azul Trek to Laguna Cebolla

Blue Lagoon / Laguna Azul Trek to Laguna Cebolla

Information

  • Operated: All year
  • Start: CONAF Hut at Laguna Azul
  • End: CONAF Hut at Laguna Azul
  • Trek Time: 4 hours and 30 minutes return
  • Distance: Approximately 15km return
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Experience Required: None
  • Altitude Gain: 100m

Description

Laguna Azul is located in the eastern part of the park, about a 20 minute drive from Laguna Amarga. This hike is one of the options for those who want to observe the Torres del Paine Towers without walking to the base.

From the Laguna Azul parking lot, you can hike to Laguna Cebolla, which will take approximately 2 hrs, and on this trek, you should see plenty of animals such as guanacos as well as birds. The trail is easy and ideal for a family with kids or if you want to explore an area of the park in a more relaxing way. You will not find signs on the way to Laguna Cebolla, but the path is easy to follow and the CONAF ranger will also give instructions.

Cerro Paine Trek

Cerro Paine Trek

Information

  • Operated: From October to April, but it depends on conditions.
  • Start: The Torres del Paine Welcome Center
  • End: The Torres del Paine Welcome Center
  • Trek Time: 10 hours return
  • Distance: 16 km return
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Experience Required: You need to be reasonably fit and accustomed to long walks.
  • Altitude Gain: 1,508 m

Description

Cerro Paine is located next to Almirante Nieto mountain in the east part of the park.

This hike offers an unprecedented and exclusive view of the Torres del Paine usually with few other tourists around.

Initially the trail is steep through the west hillside of Cerro Paine (1,508 meters). Ascending through a Lenga forest, where you may be able to see birds. Once the path reaches the tree line you will soon arrive at the D’Agostini Viewpoint.

The summit of Cerro Paine offers a 360° lookout, where you can see lagoons, mountains, forests, glaciers and the Towers of Torres del Paine. Considering that this trek it’s not that well known you will not find a lot of people hiking it, because it's not part of the W trek.

If you do not fancy the walk, there is an option to do a half-day horse ride to the top of Cerro Paine instead.

Blue Lagoon / Laguna Azul Trek to the Sierra Masle Look Out

Blue Lagoon / Laguna Azul Trek to the Sierra Masle Look Out

Information

  • Operated: All year
  • Start: CONAF Hut at Laguna Azul
  • End: CONAF Hut at Laguna Azul
  • Trek Time: 2-hour return
  • Distance: 10 km return
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Experience Required: None
  • Altitude Gain: 200m

Description

Located around the other side of the Park (going in an anti-clock wise rotation), this is a very blue-coloured lake from where there is a great view to the towers of Torres del Paine and also home to many types of flora and fauna, and especially good for bird watching. Only a 20min drive from the Laguna Amarga entrance into Torres del Paine. Considering it is accessible by vehicle, this is an easy place to get to and does not involve any difficulty. Also, this hike is one of the options for those who want to observe the Torres del Paine Towers without walking up to the base.

The view of the famous three Torres del Paine towers from this trail offers a different perspective than from elsewhere in the Park, and in some ways can be even more awe-inspiring.

From the Laguna Azul parking lot, you can hike a short trek to the Sierra Masle lookout. This is only a 1hr walk, and on this small and easy trek there are many animals to see, such as guanacos and birds.

This hike is ideal for “non-hikers” or people with kids.