Torres del Paine National Park is a large park of 2,400 km² and a popular trekking destination with a large number of mountains, lakes and rivers, and biodiversity from sub-polar forests to coastal desert.
The best-known and most spectacular summits are the three Towers of Paine. They are gigantic granite monoliths shaped by the forces of glacial ice. Other summits include the Cuerno Principal, about 2,100 m but often quoted at 2,600 m, and Cerro Paine Chico, which is usually correctly quoted at about 2,650 m.
The Cordillera del Paine Mountains that belong to the Andes form the core of the park. The national park was founded in 1959 and renamed Torres del Paine in 1970. It was granted a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status in 1978 and today, Torres del Paine National Park is a popular outdoor activity destination with good basic services for visitors.
Torres means "towers" and paine means "blue," a reference to the blue hue of the park's glacial lakes and its four main glaciers, which are connected to the Southern Patagonia Icefield. The city of Punta Arenas, a four-hour flight from Santiago, serves as the central Torres del Paine hub. From there, catch a three-hour bus ride to Puerto Natales and then let your interests dictate the way you access the park, from the luxe (sailing) to the DIY (hopping another bus to one of the three entrances).Safety & restrictions
Torres del Paine is a safe destination with no crime problems, but the extreme weather conditions can cause danger. Hikers in the national park should always stay on paths and camp in designated areas only. Wood fires are prohibited because of the big risk of forest fires.