Patagonia has dozens of options for both day hikes and multi-day treks.
The region is split into two countries: Argentina and Chile. On Argentina’s side, you have iconic hikes like Laguna de los Tres, Cerro Torre, and Laguna Esmeralda.
In Chile, you can find Patagonia’s most popular national park, Torres del Paine, and its numerous hiking routes like the W Trek and the three towers.
I hiked many of these trails on my three week trip to Patagonia and heard personal tales of the others from fellow hikers I met along my way. My itinerary included a combination of day hikes and a multi-day trek, so I really felt what both options were like.
In this guide to the best hikes in Patagonia, you will find all the best day hikes and multi-day hikes for the Argentine side and the Chilean side. I’ve also provided you with the details on each hike so you know the distances, duration, where they are, and the highlights to help you decide which ones to add to your itinerary.
Hiking in Argentina’s Patagonia
The Best Day Hikes
1. Laguna de los Tres (Mount Fitz Roy)
Location: El Chalten
Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
Duration: 8-10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Laguna de los Tres is one of the most difficult yet rewarding day hikes in Patagonia.
The trail leads from downtown El Chalten, up through the foothills, to the base of the famous Mount Fitz Roy and its glacial lake. It is an out-and-back trail.
Mount Fitz Roy is one of Patagonia’s most recognizable mountains. It’s actually the mountain that the Patagonia clothing brand’s logo is shaped after.
Laguna de los Tres is genuinely one of the hardest day hikes I’ve ever done. The majority of the hike consists of a gradual incline, but the crux of it is the final 2 km, where you have to ascend over 499 metres (1637 feet) in elevation.
It is a grueling, steep uphill climb that takes about an hour.
The reward at the top is so incredibly worth it. The glacial lake is bright turquoise with the jagged peaks towering over you. You’ll also have panoramic views looking down over the valley you just climbed out of.
Make sure to book a comfortable place to stay in El Chalten, because you are going to be SORE afterwards.
2. Laguna Capri
Location: El Chalten
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Duration: 4-5 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
If you like the idea of hiking Laguna de Los Tres, but are unsure of the physical challenge, try Laguna Capri.
It’s kind of a shorter version that leads to a beautiful lake with Mount Fitz Roy’s peaks looming in the distance.
The trail starting point is the same as Laguna de Los Tres. It’s the same trail for about 5 km until you reach Laguna Capri. From there, you retrace your steps back into town.
Laguna Capri is a beautiful spot to relax with pebbled shores that act as little beaches. The glacial water is freezing, but you can technically swim (or take a quick plunge) to cool off. I loved resting my feet in the water on my route back from the summit of Laguna de los Tres.
3. Cerro Torre
Location: El Chalten
Distance: 18 km (11.2 miles)
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy – Moderate (based on distance)
Cerro Torre, also known as Laguna Torre, is the second most popular day hike in El Chalten. While similar in distance to Laguna de los Tres, Cerro Torre is WAY easier!
Starting in town, the trail begins with a short climb into the foothills. It’s a little steep for about 30 – 45 minutes, but then levels out to a very flat hike for the rest of it.
The trail meanders through forests and leads to Cerro Torre, standing tall above a glacial lake.
I highly recommend starting all the trails in El Chalten early to avoid the crowds, but especially this one. We started at 7 am, and when we arrived at the lake there were only two other duos there.
As the next hour progressed, more and more people arrived until it felt a lot more crowded. It’s to be expected for one of the best hikes in Patagonia, but it was such a peaceful experience eating our mid-morning snack in quiet.
4. Glacier Perito Moreno Ice Hike
Location: El Calafate
Duration: 45 minutes – 3 hours
Distance: Varies
Level of Difficulty: Easy (Mini-Trekking) – Moderate (Big Ice Hike)
This is not a hiking trail per say, but a day hiking/trekking experience that everyone visiting Argentinian Patagonia needs to do.
Perito Moreno glacier is one of Patagonia’s top things to see. With a guided tour, you can actually get on top of the glacier itself.
There are two options to hike on Perito Moreno: Mini-trekking or the Big Ice Hike.
Mini-trekking consists of a full day tour with about 45 minutes spent hiking on the actual glacier. You also get to visit Perito Moreno’s viewing platforms, take a short boat tour, and hike near the glacier.
The guides give you crampons and helmets and tour you across the glacier. We stopped to listen for waterfalls within the glacier and crevasses, dropped rocks on a line into pools to see how deep they went, and finished the tour with a glass of whiskey on the rocks with ice from the glacier.
The Big Ice Hike places more focus on actually hiking atop the glacier. You spend about 3 hours on Perito Moreno and see rivers on top of the glacier, bright blue ponds, ice caves, and deep crevasses.
The tours are on the pricey side, but I ended up saying “eff it, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” It ended up being one of the coolest adventures I’ve ever done (and I’ve lived all over the world). I’m so glad I didn’t miss it.
🤩 Here’s the tour I did for the mini-trekking glacier excursion.
And here’s the tour I would have done for the Big Ice Hike
5. Laguna Esmeralda
Location: Ushuaia
Duration: 4-5 hours
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Laguna Esmeralda is often called the best hike to do in Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia. It is much easier than many of the hikes on this list so far, with very little elevation gain.
The first part of the trail takes you through forests filled with lenga trees, which are very characteristic of Patagonia. The second part leads across a wide open mossy field with a wooden boardwalk and views of the mountains.
The final viewpoint is a turquoise glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. On clear days, you can see the mountain’s reflection in the water.
6. Refugio Frey via. Cerro Catedral
Location: Bariloche in Nahuel Huapi National Park
Duration: 4-5 hour
Distance: 16 km (10 miles)
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
The best day hike in Bariloche, hiking to Refugio Frey takes you along rocky mountain ridges with alpine lakes and views of jagged peaks.
Refugio Frey is located in Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the Bariloche region of Patagonia. This particular route is known as “Frey por el filo” or “Filo del Catedral.”
You start by taking the chair lifts to Refugio Lynch. Then hike downwards to Refugio Frey and then even further to the parking lot below.
The trail is marked, although it requires a bit of searching for the trail markers. It requires some hiking experience and you’ll want to be comfortable with rocky scrambles.
There are alternative versions for hiking to Refugio Frey. Many people opt to hike up to the refugio and then back down to the parking lot. That’s also a fantastic option, but the one I detailed above is for those wanting to get maximum scenery and adventure out of it.
7. Mirador de los Condores and Las Aiguilles
Location: El Chalten
Distance: 4 – 6 km (2.5 – 3.7 miles)
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Mirador de los Condores is a short hike in El Chalten leading to a viewpoint above the town.
It is a great option for seeing extraordinary views of Mount Fitz Roy without much effort. Plus, you can often see condors flying above this spot.
The trail starts at El Chalten’s visitors centre.
To extend it, I recommend adding the Las Aiguilles section. It adds about 45 minutes and turns the hike into a loop rather than an out-and-back. You’ll get a separate viewpoint and a higher vantage point above the town.
I did this hike as a warm-up the day before starting El Chalten’s bigger hikes. It’s also a great way to stretch your legs after the longer hiking days.
Bring a picnic lunch to the top like we did. It makes for a peaceful lunch, spotting condors and enjoying the views of Fitz Roy.
8. Cerro Guanaco Hike
Location: Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
The Cerro Guanaco hike starts at Tierra del Fuego’s visitor centre and summits the peak of mount Guanaco.
The first section of it climbs steeply through a forest, with occasional breaks in the woods, with views over the park. There are a couple of streams to fill your water bottle.
After exiting the forest, you’ll come to the gravel section of the trail. It is a narrow path leading along the side of the mountain up to the peak.
At the top, you’ll have 360-degree views of mountains, lakes, and the Beagle Channel around you.
9. Cerro Bella Vista
Location: Bariloche
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Duration: 7 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
The Cerro Bella Vista hike is a summit hike that ends at about 1700 metres high.
At the peak, you’ll have 360-degree views of Lake Moreno and Nahuel Huapi National Park’s mountains.
The trail to Bella Vista’s summit is an out-and-back trail that is well-marked. It is pretty exposed after the tree line without many spots for water, making it a challenge. You’ll hike along a ridge for the last km with insane views on either side.
This hike can be done independently, but there are also guided tours available if you’d prefer to summit with a guide. The tours also include round-trip transport, lunch, and snacks if you want the logistics taken care of for you.
🤩 Here’s the guided Bella Vista hiking tour I recommend.
10. Cerro Campanario
Location: Bariloche
Distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)
Duration: 45 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Cerro Campanario is more of a scenic lookout point than a hike, but it has amazing views. The hike takes about 45 minutes round trip and leads to a 360-degree viewpoint.
You’ll have views over the glistening lakes, forest, and mountains of Nahuel Huapi National Park.
There are also facilities at the top, like a cafe selling cold drinks, bathrooms, and a chair lift.
11. Lago and Glaciar Huemul
Location: El Chalten
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Glacier Huemul is about 37 km outside of El Chalten. The trail leads to a beautiful turquoise lake with a glacier descending from the mountains above it.
The trail is mostly forested with a steady incline all the way to the lake. It is less traveled than other hikes in El Chalten, so you won’t come across as many tourists.
You can take a taxi out of town or a bus that runs there daily. The drive is about an hour to get there on rough, unpaved roads.
You can book the bus with your hotel (the easiest way to do it) or online in advance with Zona Austral.
12. Laguna Nimez Reserve
Location: El Calafate
Distance: 3 km (2 miles)
Duration: 1 hour
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Laguna Nimez is a protected reserve right in the city of El Calafate. It protects about 80 bird species, including pink flamingos!
There is a short 3 km loop through the reserve, with informational signs to learn about Patagonia’s native bird species. It has viewing shelters where you can sit inside quietly to observe the birds.
Laguna Nimez is also a great spot for photographing Lago Argentino and the cliffs that tower over El Calafate. I spent about 1.5 hours here, meandering around and admiring the flamingos.
13. Glacier Martial
Location: Ushuaia
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
The Glacier Martial hike is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of Ushuaia without committing to a full-day trek.
This short but rewarding hike takes you to a viewpoint overlooking the city, the Beagle Channel, and surrounding snow-capped mountains. The trail begins with a relatively easy walk through a forest, then climbs steadily toward the glacier.
The first section of the hike is quite gentle, but as you get closer to the glacier, the incline increases, making the final push a little more challenging.
The glacier itself is mostly covered with snow, so most people do this hike more for the view they have back over the valley and the Beagle Channel.
The Best Multi-Day Hikes
14. Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre Circuit
Location: El Chalten
Distance: 30 km
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
Accommodation: Camping
You can combine two of El Chalten’s most popular hikes into one multi-day loop. It gets you off-the-beaten path and lets you arrive at some of the viewpoints before anyone else.
Instead of starting at Laguna de los Tres’ main trailhead, start from Rio Electrico. It’s about 30 minutes taxi ride outside of El Chalten.
The Rio Electrico trail connects with the Laguna de los Tres trail close to Poincenot Campsite, so it is much quieter. You’ll also pass the hanging Piedras Blancas Glacier by taking this route.
After ascending to the top of Laguna de los Tres, camp for the night at Poincenot Campsite.
The next day, you’ll take a trail from Laguna de Los Tres to Laguna Torre for about 4 – 5 hours of hiking. Camp at the Laguna Torre campsite.
In the morning, you’ll have the glacial lake and Cerro Torre to yourself.
The final day is returning for about 3 hours back into El Chalten on Laguna Torre’s main trail.
15. Huemul Circuit
Location: El Chalten
Distance: 57 – 65 km (35.5 – 40.3 miles)
Duration: 4 days
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Accommodation: Camping
The Huemul Circuit is the best multi-day hike in Argentinian Patagonia and one of the best treks in Patagonia as a whole. It is rugged, remote, challenging, and brings you across the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.
The highlights of the circuit are:
- Laguna Toro – The first section of the trail with views of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. After a few km, the view opens up and you’ll see out onto the ice field. You’ll pass herds of cows, cross streams, and spend the night at Laguna Toro campsite.
- Paso del Viento – This is the most technical section of the trek and is called the “windy pass.” It has rocky terrain, steep ascents, and treks across glaciers. The rugged views on this section are the best of the whole trek.
- River and tunnel traverses – You’ll have to cross rivers, some of which require special equipment to pull yourself across above the river.
You should be an experienced multi-day trekker to complete the Huemul Circuit or book with a guide.
If you’re interested in hiking with a guide, Chalten Mountain Guides is a good option.
16. Circuito de los 4 Refugios
Location: Bariloche
Distance: 46 km (28.6 miles)
Duration: 5-6 days
Difficulty: Challenging
Accommodation: Refugios
The 4 Refugios Trek is the best multi-day hike in the Bariloche region of Patagonia. It is located in Nahuel Huapi National Park.
The trek takes you through the park’s most stunning landscapes with high-altitude views, alpine lakes, and forests. You visit Refugio Frey, Refugio San Martín (Laguna Jakob), Refugio Manfredo Segre (Laguna Negra) and Refugio López.
Despite only being 46 km, this trek takes at least 5 days because of its difficult terrain. You’ll hike across rocky scrambles and steep conditions.
17. Sierra Valdivieso Circuit
Location: Ushuaia
Distance: 43 km (46.7 miles)
Duration: 4 days
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Accommodation: Camping
The Sierra Valdivieso Circuit is a completely remote and off-the-beaten-path type of trek.
Huge portions of the hike are unmarked, so you need to be either a very experienced multi-day hiker or hire a guide. Regardless, you need to be up for a challenging adventure.
The best parts of the trail are:
- Views of Lake Fagnano from the highest elevation on the trail
- The Beban Pass
- The Valdivieso Pass
- Glacial lagoons and waterfalls
- Carbajal Valley
Hiking in Chilean Patagonia
The Best Day Hikes
18. Base of the Towers (Mirador de Torres)
Location: Torres Del Paine National Park
Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
Duration: 7-9 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
This is the most iconic hike in Chilean Patagonia. The name “Torres del Paine” actually refers to these three granite peaks that are so unlike anywhere else.
The hike starts at the Paine Central parking lot. The majority of the hike consists of a gradual uphill climb. The first section is exposed, with views of lakes and mountains.
The second portion (and my favourite) is the windy pass through Ascencio Valley. There’s a refugio at the end of it to use the bathroom, fill up on water, and grab a snack.
After the valley, you’ll climb through Lenga forests until the final portion, which is a rocky scramble for about an hour to the base of the towers.
The base of the towers has a brilliant blue glacier lake below it and three incredible peaks rising tall above it. We sat here for about an hour eating lunch and taking it in.
Bonus Tip: If you arrive and there’s cloud cover, try to wait it out, especially when the winds are high. Often, the clouds will lift or break so you can see the towers.
The hike is an out-and-back trail, so you return the same way you came.
If you don’t want to worry about the logistics of getting to and from the park, go for a guided hike to the base of the towers.
🤩 Here’s the guided hike to the Base of the Towers I recommend!
19. Mirador Cuernos
Location: Torres Del Paine National Park
Distance: 6.4 km (4 miles)
Duration: 2 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Mirador Los Cuernos is the best short hike in Torres del Paine. It is in the central part of the park, starting from the Lago Pehoe welcome centre.
You’ll see the powerful Salto Grande Waterfall, marvel at bright blue Nordenskjöld Lake, and have views of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos mountains throughout the entire hike.
A section of the trail passes through forest that was victim to a forest fire in 2005. It’s sad to think about, but it has left an eerily beautiful section of woods with bone-white branches contrasted by blooming red flowers.
20. Mirador Grey or Refugio Grey
Location: Torres Del Paine National Park
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles) or 24 km (15 miles)
Duration: 3.5 hours or 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
One of the best day hikes in the park leads from Refugio Paine Grande to see the Grey Glacier near Refugio Grey.
To get to the trailhead, you need to take a boat across Lago Pehoe. This was one of the most scenic experiences I experienced in Torres del Paine – you get amazing zoomed-out views of Paine Grande.
From there, it is 12 km one way to get to Refugio Grey where you get one of the closest views of Grey Glacier in Lago Grey in the park.
If you are able to stay the night at the Refugio Paine Grande (they have a hotel and camping options), then I recommend doing this longer day hike that ends up totaling 24 km.
If you want to return to Puerto Natales afterwards, you’re timing will be constrained by the last ferry leaving at 6 pm. As a result, it makes it really tight, and I recommend doing the almost 6 km one way (11 km total) to Mirador Grey instead.
The trail is relatively flat with views of Paine Grande along the way. The lookout point from Mirador Grey is a bit far to be honest, but still worth a hike if you’ve already completed some of the other great hikes in Torres del Paine.
21. Mirador Condor
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
Duration: 1 hour
Level of Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
A short but sweet trail that leads to an insane lookout point over Paine Grande and Los Cuernos mountains. It also has views of Lake Pahoe and a small island.
The trail is narrow, leading up steep switchbacks to the lookout point. It starts by the campground at Lago Pehoe and can get really windy.
22. Laguna Cerro Castillo
Location: Cerro Castillo National Park in the Aysen Region
Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
Duration: 7-9 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Laguna Cerro Castillo starts at the Estero Parada entrance. The highlight of this hike is a view of a beautiful glacier lagoon with jagged-peaked Cerro Castillo towering high above you.
The first portion of the trail leads steeply through Lenga forests. You’ll have views of surrounding valleys and peaks as you climb.
The alpine zone becomes rockier and more exposed and the final section is a steep climb. If you are in Cerro Castillo park, this trail is a must!
23. Sendero Sierra Nevada
Location: Conguillio National Park in Northern Chile Patagonia
Distance: 11.7 km (7.3 miles)
Duration: 4 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Another stunning hike in Chilean Patagonia, Sendero Sierra Nevada has views of snow-capped mountains and a volcano.
The trail is out-and-back and mostly uphill to get to the turnaround point. There are two lookout points: El Conguillio and Los Condores, where you can see the park’s mountains and Conguillío lake from above.
Conguillio National Park is home to the Llaima Volcano, which is one of the most active in Chile. You’ll catch glimpses of it along the trail and have a clear view of it at the lookout points.
24. Sendero Ventisquero Colgante (Hanging Glacier Trail)
Location: Queulat National Park
Distance: 6.5 km (4 miles)
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
The Hanging Glacier trail is a shorter hiking trail that leads to a glacier hanging down from a forested valley.
The trail leads through a temperate rainforest, across bridges, and up to the final view. The glacier appears to be spilling down from the surrounding mountains, making it one of the most famous sights along the Carretera Austral road trip.
The trail is easy but can get really muddy after rain.
The Best Multi-Day Hikes
25. The W Trek
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 80 km (50 miles)
Duration: 4-5 days
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Accommodation: Hotels, Refugios, and/or Camping
The W Trek is one of the most famous treks in Patagonia. It covers the main highlights of Torres del Paine on a W-shaped route. It’s incredibly diverse, with grasslands, rocky scrambles, windy valleys, Lenga forests, and eerie bone-white valleys.
The best sights along the W Trek include:
- The base of the towers
- Paine Grande
- Glacier Grey
- French Valley
- The scenic boat ride across Lago Pehoe.
The route is popular and well-maintained, with mountain huts selling food and beer.
I hiked the W-Trek over 4 days. After going back and forth on whether to hike the W Trek alone or with a guide, I chose to do a guided tour.
4 days and 3 nights was the perfect duration in my opinion, and we ended up doing a bonus camping night at Laguna Azul, which was completely private to us.
👉 If you’re interested, I wrote a completely honest review of my experience hiking the W Trek with G Adventures (the company I chose after meticulous research).
26. The O Circuit
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 120 km (74.5 miles)
Duration: 8-10 days
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Accommodation: Hotels, Refugios, and/or Camping
The O Circuit is the longer trek option in Torres del Paine and one of the best multi-day hikes in Patagonia. It’s called the O because it circles the entire Paine Massif and park, including the W Trek portion.
It is more rugged and remote, with fewer trekkers outside of the W Trek portion.
On the O Circuit, you hike through remote valleys, glaciers, and lakes. The highlights that are unique to this circuit are:
- The John Gardner Pass, which has insane views over the South Patagonian Ice Field
- Better vantage points of Grey Glacier
- Los Perros Glacier
- You’ll get much closer to Cerro Paine Grande, which is the highest peak in the park.
27. Las Horquetas trek (Cerro Castillo Circuit)
Location: Aysen Region
Distance: 51 km (31.6 miles)
Duration: 3 – 4 days
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Accommodation: Camping
The Castillo Circuit is a bit of a hidden gem with way fewer visitors than Torres del Paine.
The trek is more rugged, with no refugios along the route. You’ll need to be fully self-sufficient. However, the extra effort rewards you with incredible scenery in complete solitude.
The highlights of the trek are Cerro Castillo’s jagged peaks that are often compared to a medieval castle, the bright blue Laguna Cerro Castillo, and hanging glaciers.
Another bonus to this trek is that you don’t have to book your campsites in advance, so you can plan your trip much more last-minute (compared to Torres del Paine’s recommended 6 months in advance).
Is Hiking in Patagonia Safe?
The short answer: Yes! Hiking and trekking in Patagonia is very safe with the right preparation.
Many of the hikes on this list are popular and therefore well-marked and maintained. Patagonia’s weather can be unpredictable, so packing the right layers and abiding by trail closures is crucial.
Safety for Solo Travellers
From my solo travelling experience, many of these trails are safe for solo female travellers because of how well-travelled they are with lots of other people around.
If you are hiking the more remote trails in Argentina or Chile, I’d recommend getting a satellite phone for extra caution. Especially if you are doing the multi-day hikes.
Bringing a Satellite Phone as Back Up
I brought my Garmin satellite phone because I was travelling solo and would send check-in alerts to my family when trekking multiple days without service.
I also found it gave me peace of mind when travelling between destinations in case anything happened, so I still had a way to contact others.
Dangerous Animals in Patagonia
To my relief (as a Canadian who fearfully hikes in bear country), there are almost no scary animals in Patagonia. The biggest animal is the Puma, which are incredibly elusive. I even checked, and puma attacks are pretty unheard of and have never been reported in Patagonia’s tourist destinations like Torres del Paine.
In summary, as long as you are well-prepared, Patagonia hiking is very safe!
Where Should You Travel in Patagonia to Get in the Most Hikes?
You might have noticed that there are a couple of key areas that are home to several of Patagonia’s best hikes. They are: El Chalten in Argentina and Torres del Paine in Chile.
These two regions are packed full of the hikes on this list and their nearby towns have lots of hotels, restaurants, and trekking shop options. These destinations are also great for being close to other popular spots like:
- El Calafate with Perito Moreno glacier is close to El Chalten.
- Puerto Natales, with other adventure activities, is close to Torres del Paine.
If you are more of a rugged, off-the-beaten-path type of hiker, I’d recommend checking out the Carretera Austral road trip, also known as Ruta 7. It’s a road trip between Puerto Montt and Villa O’Higgins.
It passes Queulat National Park and Cerro Castillo National Park (and other awesome national parks), which have some of the hikes mentioned in this list.
More FAQs About Hiking in Patagonia
Do I need to be super fit to hike in Patagonia?
No, there are hikes for everyone in Patagonia. Hiking difficult trails like Laguna de los Tres or to the Base of the Three Towers requires a decent fitness level – I’d say equivalent to someone who goes to the gym 2 – 3 times per week or hikes a lot.
However, my mother trained by getting 10,000 steps in per day for the month leading up to hiking Laguna de los Tres and made it to the top!
Can I do these hikes on my own, or do I need a guide?
You can do most of the popular hikes (especially in El Chaltén and Torres del Paine) without a guide. The trails are well-marked, well-traveled, and safe for solo hikers.
That said, if you want to do multi-day hikes like the O Circuit in Torres del Paine or the Huemul Circuit in El Chaltén, some sections may require permits or a guide depending on your experience.
What are the best hikes for a first-timer?
Here are a few stunning must-do hikes for first-timers:
– Laguna de los Tres (El Chaltén) – 20 km / 12 mi round trip, moderate to hard
– Laguna Torre (El Chaltén) – 19 km / 11.8 mi, easier with a gradual incline
– Mirador Las Torres (Torres del Paine) – 19 km / 11.8 mi, steep at the end
Do I need permits or park reservations to hike?
Only in some areas:
Torres del Paine: Yes – you must book refugios/campsites in advance if doing overnight hikes. Even day visits require a park entrance ticket.
El Chaltén: No permits required for day hikes. Just show up and go.
Huemul Circuit: Requires registration at the ranger station + extra gear.
Book early (3–6 months ahead) if you’re going during peak season (Dec–Feb).
What if I don’t have all the gear?
No problem. You can rent almost everything locally, including trekking poles, sleeping bags, tents, and even hiking boots.
Do I have to carry all my gear if I do a multi-day trek?
Not necessarily. On the W Trek, you can stay in refugios (mountain lodges) where bedding and meals are provided, so you only carry a daypack. If you choose to camp, you’ll need to bring more gear or rent it from outfitters in Puerto Natales or El Chaltén.
Plan Your Hiking Trip to Patagonia
Ok, so you’ve got an idea of what hikes you want to do and where you want to go, now what?
If you’re still struggling to decide between Chilean Patagonia and Argentinian Patagonia, read this. It breaks down every single factor to consider, including the types of adventures available, how easy it is to get to and around them, which has better food, and more!
If you want to see what else there is to do in Patagonia, besides hiking, check out this itinerary I used for my three weeks in Patagonia (it has traditional farm stays, horseback riding with real Patagonian cowboys, and glaciers).
And feel free to reach out to me anytime for advice on your Patagonia trip!
Read More about Planning Your Trip to Patagonia:
- 27 Best Hikes in Patagonia: Day Hikes and Treks
- 23 Top Things to See in Patagonia (Plus Trip Guide)
- The Ultimate 3 Weeks in Patagonia Itinerary
- The Ultimate Guide to Female Solo Travel in Patagonia
- An Honest G Adventures W Trek Review (Patagonia)
Plan Your Trip - My Favourite Resources
📱 Stay Connected Without Expensive Roaming Fees
I never travel without an e-Sim now. You pay a fraction of roaming fees, and simply download the e-Sim to your phone instead of switching SIM cards. The service I always use is Airola.
🏠 Book Your Accommodation
I always use Booking.com to find and book the best hotels at the cheapest rate. For cheap and social options, I love using Hostelworld - they also have private rooms.
🏄♀️ Book Your Tours and Excursions
I book adventure tours anywhere in the world through Manawa. My second favourite is Viator - it has the largest selection of tours with local operators and offers flexible cancellation.
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