This guide is for walkers who want to stand at the lake below the three towers of Torres del Paine and sleep in Puerto Natales that night. It covers the ranger cut-off times that shape the whole day, the winter rules, what the walk asks of you, and whether to go by bus or with your own car and driver.
The clock that matters: ranger cut-offs
Rangers control this trail with two times: the latest you can pass the Laguna Amarga gate to start, and the time the viewpoint at the top closes. CONAF has published them by season:
- October and November: enter by 09:00; the viewpoint closes at 15:00.
- December to February: enter by 10:00; the viewpoint closes at 16:00.
- March and April: enter by 09:30; the viewpoint closes at 15:00.
- May to August: enter by 09:00; the last visitors leave the viewpoint at 14:00.
Walkers who have done it report that rangers turn people back at the final junction if they are late, even by a few minutes. CONAF can change these times, so check the official park site for your dates.
Our standard plan collects you at 07:00 and reaches the Welcome Centre at about 09:00. In the months with a 09:00 gate limit, that is tight. Tell us your dates and your walking pace when you book, and we will set the pick-up time to suit.
What the walk involves
It is about 20 kilometres there and back, and most people take 6 to 10 hours. The trail is marked, and the effort comes in stages.
- Welcome Centre to the Chileno refuge. About 2.5 kilometres of mostly flat walking, then a steady climb of about the same length to a windy pass, and down into the Ascencio valley to the refuge. Horses sometimes share this part of the path.
- Chileno to the foot of the moraine. About an hour through old lenga forest, crossing streams.
- The moraine. The last section, roughly an hour and a little over a kilometre, is steep and rocky, over boulders. It is the hardest part of the day, and the same ground on the way down needs care.
The Welcome Centre at the trailhead has toilets, a café and a shop, and your driver waits there. Our tour sets the arrival at the lake at around 13:00 and the return to the Welcome Centre at around 17:00.
Winter: a guide becomes compulsory
In winter, CONAF only lets you walk this trail with an accredited guide. The winter season runs from about May to September, and CONAF sets its exact dates each year; it has started as early as late April. In the depth of winter the rest of the W trek can close, leaving Base Torres open only to walkers with accredited guides, and each guide has been allowed to take up to four walkers.
We do not guide the hike. The tour covers the car and driver; a guide is paid separately. In winter, plan for one, and check the current rules on the official CONAF pages before you go. Even outside winter, microspikes and trekking poles are required when the trail conditions call for them.
Bus or private car
You can do this walk without a car. Regular buses run from Puerto Natales to Laguna Amarga, and early departures arrive around 08:30 to 09:00. From the gate, a shuttle takes about 15 minutes to the Welcome Centre; it is too far to walk. The last shuttle back leaves the Welcome Centre at about 19:00, and the last bus to town leaves Laguna Amarga around 20:00 to 20:30. Regular buses have stopped for the winter at the end of April in past years.
The bus works, but it fixes your start and your finish. If you are slow on the moraine, you are walking against a timetable. With a private car, you leave town when the gate times require, your driver waits at the trailhead however long you take, and there is no shuttle change. The price depends on the size of your group; see it on the tour page.
When to go
December to March is generally the most stable weather, and also the busiest. April, October and November are quieter, often with good weather. In summer the wind is at its strongest, and some trails can close when it goes over 80 km/h.
Check the cloud as well as the rain. Low cloud is what hides the towers; high cloud alone does not usually block the view. A grey morning can still mean a clear view from the lake.
What to carry
- Waterproof walking boots that you have already worn in.
- Layers: a base layer, a fleece, and a waterproof jacket and trousers.
- Hat, gloves, sunglasses and sun cream.
- Trekking poles, which help on the moraine, and microspikes if conditions call for them.
- Food and water for the whole day. Food and drinks are not included in the tour.
- The park pass QR code and your passport. Passes are sold online only, through CONAF, and must be bought before the day; there is no internet at the gate.
Who should think twice
This is a long mountain day, not a stroll. Think twice if you do not walk regularly, if steep, uneven descents hurt your knees, or if anyone in your group is not used to six hours or more on foot. Our Torres del Paine day by car gives you the first view of the towers from Laguna Amarga without the climb.
Safety is not a formality here. CONAF says most fatal accidents in the park involved people walking alone who left the marked trails, and help can take several hours to arrive. Stay on the path, walk with others, and turn back if the weather turns.
Questions people ask
What if we are slower than planned?
Your driver waits. Just remember the rangers' cut-off at the top does not.
Can we cancel?
Yes, up to 24 hours before pick-up, with a full refund. See our cancellation page.
Booking the day
Check the gate time for your month, buy your pass, and tell us your pace so we can set the pick-up. To see how this day fits with our other trips, read our guide to day trips from Puerto Natales. The details are on the Base Torres hike private transport page, where you choose your group size and book.
