Hiking in Patagonia: wild trails of southern Chile and Argentina that change your view of the world
Patagonia, a vast expanse at the far south of South America, is shared between Chile and Argentina and in travelers’ minds often stands as a synonym for the “last frontier”: granite spires, glacial lakes, wind that changes direction within minutes, and open spaces in which a person feels small, yet unusually calm. For everyone who wants to get to know this region on foot, hiking is the most direct way to understand why Patagonia has remained at the top of global outdoor-destination lists for years.
Where the story begins: two countries, one landscape
Although the political border runs through the Andes, in practice the Patagonia experience is not divided into a “Chilean” and an “Argentine” part, but rather into terrain types and weather conditions. On the western, Pacific side, Chilean Patagonia is known for higher precipitation, fjords, forests, and glaciers that descend toward the sea. On the eastern, Argentine side, the land becomes drier: the steppe is dominated by distant horizons, and massifs like Fitz Roy rise like rocky backdrops above the plain.
For hikers, that means logistics, permits, and prices differ, but the most important rules of behavior in nature are repeated on both sides: respecting movement restrictions, bans on open fires, mandatory carrying of gear for changeable weather, and a responsible attitude toward trails that are, in many areas, sensitive to erosion.
The most famous routes and why they became a global symbol
Torres del Paine: W and O – classics of Chilean Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park in the Magallanes region has for years been a reference point for trekking in Patagonia. The reason is simple: on a relatively compact area it offers dramatic sights – granite towers, glaciers, hanging valleys, and intensely colored lakes – with infrastructure that, for all its “wildness,” is developed enough to enable multi-day hiking without an expedition-style approach.
The best-known routes are the so-called W trek, usually hiked in 4 to 5 days, and the longer O Circuit (about 7 to 9 days), which closes a loop around the Paine massif. It is important to understand that you cannot camp in the park “wherever you like”: accommodation is organized exclusively in official campsites and refugios, and reservations are, in practice, made in advance, often through private concessionaires who manage part of the infrastructure. Park tickets are purchased online through the system used by CONAF.
El Chaltén and Los Glaciares: the “trekking capital” the Argentine way
On the Argentine side, the town of El Chaltén is often described as the starting point for the best-known day and multi-day hikes in Los Glaciares National Park. Trails to viewpoints for Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre rank among the most photographed routes on the continent, yet they remain accessible even to those arriving without technical mountaineering equipment – provided they are ready for longer ascents and rapid weather changes.
In recent years, the Argentine national parks administration (APN) has increasingly emphasized digital ticket sales and entry control by zones. In the north zone (El Chaltén, trails toward Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre), tickets are, according to official information, generally obtained online, and payment is carried out by card, which is an important detail for travelers who rely on cash.
The reality of Patagonian weather: wind, cold, and the speed of change
No story about hiking in Patagonia is complete without the weather. The wind here is both reputation and fact: gusts can be powerful, and the perceived temperature noticeably lower than what the thermometer shows. In that context, a “summer” day can end in conditions like early winter, especially on passes and exposed ridgelines.
That is exactly why local services and experienced guides keep repeating the same advice: layered clothing, a waterproof jacket and pants, a hat and gloves even in warmer months, and a plan that includes realistic weather buffers. Gear is not a matter of aesthetics but of safety, and in Patagonia it determines whether the trip will turn into an unforgettable adventure or a struggle to get back.
In November 2025, on the O Circuit route in Torres del Paine, a tragic event was recorded in which multiple hikers died of hypothermia during a severe snowstorm. Survivors’ accounts and subsequent investigations raised questions about warning communication, ranger availability, and procedures for closing sections in extreme conditions. That case is a strong reminder that a “popular trail” does not mean a “safe trail” when the weather turns.
Permits, tickets, and reservations: what to sort out before you set off
Hiking in Patagonia often falls apart on details – not because the trails are unfeasible, but because a traveler arrives without the necessary documentation or without booked accommodation.
In Chile, a digital ticket system has been introduced for many national parks, and for Torres del Paine entry is normally purchased online. For multi-day treks inside the park, the campsite logic is also key: overnight stays are allowed only at official locations, and reservations may be required as a condition for entering certain sections. Bans on open fires and strict cooking rules are additionally emphasized due to wildfire risk in sensitive ecosystems.
In Argentina, the rules differ by park and zone. For Los Glaciares, official information lists tariffs and the method of purchase, with online purchase and cashless payment particularly emphasized in the north zone. Travelers planning to combine the southern part of the park (Perito Moreno) and the northern trails around El Chaltén should check which tickets are valid for which portals and for how many days.
How to plan a route: an example of a logical approach (without improvisation)
Patagonia rewards those who plan, but also those who leave room to adapt. A sensible framework looks like restricting this:
- Choose a goal: do you want a multi-day trek (Torres del Paine W/O) or a base with day trips (El Chaltén)?
- Check the difficulty: kilometers and elevation can be misleading; terrain, wind, and footing often slow you down.
- Sort out tickets and accommodation: in the most popular periods, capacities fill up weeks in advance.
- Plan transport: bus connections to Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, El Calafate, and El Chaltén have seasonal schedules.
- Prepare a safety plan: offline map, basic first aid, informing your accommodation or rangers of your route, and a realistic decision to turn back if the weather worsens.
Less known, but outstanding alternatives
Behind the most famous postcards there is a Patagonia that is quieter, sometimes more demanding, and often more accessible for those who want to avoid crowds.
Cerro Castillo (Chile): “little Torres” for those who want fewer people
The area around Cerro Castillo in the Aysén region is increasingly well known among hikers traveling the Carretera Austral. The landscape offers jagged ridges, lagoons, and forest sections that resemble Torres del Paine, but with a different visitor dynamic. Logistics can be simpler, but the weather is just as changeable, and mobile signal is unreliable.
Tierra del Fuego: trail ends and the beginning of the wind
On the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, trails around Ushuaia and Chilean southern areas provide a completely different experience: lower but harsher terrain, bogs, forests, and coastal landscapes. This is a Patagonia more about atmosphere than monumental towers, ideal for those who want to combine hiking and local culture.
Ecology and rules of conduct: why restrictions are tightening
Patagonia’s popularity also brings pressure on the environment. Trail erosion, waste, vegetation damage, and wildfire risk are reasons why park administrations introduce stricter visitor regimes. In Torres del Paine, rules on banning open flames and moving outside marked trails are emphasized, while Argentine parks increasingly introduce digital entry systems and zone-based fees.
For hikers, that is not a bureaucratic nuisance but part of responsible travel: the clearer and more enforceable the system, the greater the chance that trails, camps, and viewpoints will be preserved in the state people come to see them.
When to go: season, crowds, and realistic expectations
The largest number of visitors arrives during the South American spring and summer, especially from November to March. Days are longer then, and logistics are simpler because transport, accommodation, and services are most active. But the “best time” is also the time of the biggest crowds, so many experienced travelers choose the edges of the season – late October or April – while consciously accepting a higher risk of colder days and the closure of certain sections.
In practice, the key is not only the month, but the readiness to adapt the route to the forecast and trail conditions. Patagonia is a place where the smart decision to skip a pass because of wind often means you will have the chance the next day for a better outing – and a safer return.
Practical details that decide the experience
Hiking in Patagonia has its specific “small” lessons:
- Water: many trails have natural sources, but quality and the need for filtering depend on the area and traffic.
- Wind: trekking poles can help stability, but can also create additional danger on exposed edges.
- Backpack choice: unnecessary weight is punished on the very first day; layered packing is more useful than “one thick jacket.”
- Communication: offline maps and batteries/power are standard, because the signal often disappears.
- Respect restrictions: a closed section is not a suggestion, but information issued for safety or nature protection.
Why Patagonia still attracts: between romance and responsibility
All in all, Patagonia is not just a “beautiful destination,” but a place that forces a traveler into discipline: to plan, to listen to warnings, and to accept that nature has the last word. It is precisely in that combination that the appeal lies: the chance to walk by glacial lakes, watch granite towers at dawn, and realize how valuable those moments are when they are backed by preparation and respect for the rules.
For many, the first Patagonian trip will be the W trek or El Chaltén, but those who return often look for quieter trails, side valleys, and lesser-known parks. And in that may be the region’s greatest value: every return opens a new map, and every step is a reminder that the wilderness here is real – and best experienced with restraint.
Sources:- Administración de Parques Nacionales / Argentina.gob.ar – official tariffs and the method of purchasing tickets for Los Glaciares National Park (link)- Pases Parques Nacionales (CONAF) – official portal for online purchase of tickets for Chilean parks, including Torres del Paine (link)- ChileAtiende – informational page about the “Pase Parques Nacionales” system and purchasing passes (link)- The Guardian – report on the deadly storm episode on the O Circuit in Torres del Paine (November 2025) and the debate about safety protocols (link)
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