From here, your eyes will record the first of the many picture postcards that you will treasure from Torres del Paine National Park.

Lake Sarmiento is 90 square kilometres in size and, unlike other lakes of glacial origin present in the park, this one owes its origin to the rains that gave it the intense blue colour that we now admire.

Sarmiento Lake and Laguna Amarga belong to the same basin hemmed in by glacial moraine. Its base comprises the rocks of the Cerro Toro Formation.

Laguna Amarga is a small lake, located outside the eastern limit of Torres del Paine National Park, about 5km from Lake Sarmiento. Both belong to the same basin closed in by glacial moraine. Its base comprises the rocks of the Cerro Toro Formation.

Named the “mirador”, which means viewpoint, and “laguna amarga”, which means bitter lake, the water is a bluish-green colour and got its name from the high pH in the water. And those white stones that crown its banks are stromatolites of calcium carbonate, rock formations present in few places in the world.

If it’s not cloudy you will be able to see the Torres of Torres del Paine from here.

Located on the Paine River, on the road that connects Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul. The river that feeds the waterfall is born in Lake Dickson, which is fed by the Dickson Glacier.

If it’s not cloudy you will be able to see the Torres del Paine from here.

From here you can see in the distance the Grey Glacier, Paine Grande and Serrano River and his famous, meandering turns.

From here you can see in the distance the Cuernos, Paine Grande & some lakes, like the Nordenskjold lake and Toro lake.

From here you can see in the distance the greatness of the Grey Glacier, the Paine Massif & the Toro Lake, one of the biggest lake in the region.

In here you will see a fantastic view of the Paine Massif in contrast to the green colour of the lake.

On the horizon you can see the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

From there you can see wide views of the park and it is possible to spot different birds, including the condor.

The viewpoint is always visible from below which will facilitate the hike, although the path is easy to follow.

From the lookout you will have beautiful views over the Pehoé and Nordenskjöld lakes, the Pincol and Negra lagoons and the Paine massif.

The southern ice field can also be seen in the distance.

The start of this trek is from the Estancia (Hosteria) Mirador del Paine – which is technically outside the Park and will required transport to get here. The trek takes about 2.5hrs and offers a great view of Lago Toro and a panoramic view of the Torres del Paine Massif, glaciers and other mountains. It ends in the Park not far from the Weber bridge. Therefore, you will need to be met at the end point.

At the start of this trek you will pass by the Laguna Verde and then walk through a Lenga and Coigue forest. You may see ducks, frogs, woodpeckers, condors, and possibly local bird species like jargon and Cachaña.

After 2 hrs walking, you will reach the Onda Lagoon, and you will be able to look over the Baguales mountain range and the Cuenos del Paine.

From here you will cross over towards the western section of the park and continue on through to the Ciervos lagoon and reach the Toro lookout at 559m where you will get an incredible view of Lake Toro, the Paine river, Serrano Valley, Mount Balmaceda, the Geike and Tyndall glaciers and the southern Patagonian ice field, you will continue de path until the Weber bridge and the trek will be finish.

This start is located about 1km up the track from Pudeto (from where the catamaran operates). Salto Grande means Large Waterfall. Most importantly, the viewing area is very close to the action and offers people the opportunity to see the power, and hear the mighty rumble of vast volumes of water cascading through a narrow gap and then thunder down to the drop some 30mts below. However, be alert because one can easily slip over the edge! This is a beautiful waterfall that connects Lago Pehoe and Lago Toro. From this place, the hike is a simple trek that offers a direct and “close up” view of the Cuernos of Paine.

After walking about one hour you will arrive at the viewpoint (mirador) and get an impressive view of Lake Nordenskjöld, with the Cuernos the other side, dominating the skyline in all their magnitude. On the left, you will get an excellent view of the Paine Grande Mountain and to the right of Almirante Nieto Mountain, and these are the two “Cuernos” of Paine.

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.

This trail starts at a point to Guardaría Grey in the west section of the park, just in front of the Pingo restaurant and the entrance to Grey beach. After walking for almost 1 hour, you will enter the Pingo Valley, which is one of the last places of pristine beauty with almost no human intervention. Also, this area was not touched by previous park fires, thus keeping the flora and fauna intact.

As you walk through the forest there will be ascents and descents, but when you get to a clearing in the woods you will receive a different perspective of the Paine Range. Also, with some luck you may be able to see flora and fauna that is quite different from that found in the rest of the park.

After walking between 2 and 2.5 hours, you will arrive at the viewpoint of the Pingo Cascade (Pingo Waterfall). At this point you can rest for lunch before returning by the same trail back to the start.

Ferrier Mountain is located in the west part of the park, next to the Conaf Office in the Grey sector, not too far from Hotel Grey.

Above all, the return hike is about 7hrs and offers panoramic views over Grey Lake, Pingo Glacier, the Torres del Paine Massif and the Cuernos del Paine. However, the trek involves some difficult uphill stretches. For example, the trail almost immediately heads upwards from the start and continues up at a steep, and zig-zagging 60 ° elevation, quickly reaching an altitude of 700 meters above sea level.

Before reaching the often-windy viewpoint, you will cross a river, and enter a Lenga forest.

Shortly after this point you will reach Ferrier viewpoint (mirador), and from here you will have spectacular panoramic views of Glacier Grey and the icebergs floating on the lake, the Paine Mountain Range, Paine River, Toro Lake and Pingo Glacier.

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.

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.

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.