This land of rugged and sublime beauty sits at the bottom of the Earth, in a world all of its own. Dense forests are severed by rickety bridges, streams and glaciers. The forests flank milky lakes and lofty granite peaks, giving the appearance of a harsh, yet striking environment.
Located 3,100 kilometres to the south of Santiago, Torres del Paine owes its name to its distinct features. 'Torres' means towers, as immense granite spires soar up to 200 metres high. The word 'Paine' means pale blue, after the colour of the lakes, which comes from the enormous slabs of rock lying on the murky bottom, deposited by immense glacial action. 'Towers of the Pale Blue', an apt description for such an imposing land of raw magnificence.
Torres del Paine has been a national park since 1959. However, it wasn't until 1978, when the park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, that its pastures started recovering from over a century of exploitation. This is fortunate indeed for travel in Chile, as the improved conditions (including its access) of the 240,000 hectare park now attracts over 20,000 people annually.
Breathtaking Natural Attractions in Chile
The irregular features within the park make for some unique and excellent walking. Apart from its colder neighbour, Antarctica, Torres del Paine contains the largest ice sheets in the Southern Hemisphere. A 17-kilometre-long glacier passes beneath the park's highest peak, Cerro Paine Grande, which sits at a mere 3050 metres. Other frozen park residents include 'ice mushrooms' (unique to Patagonia), where extreme cold winds freeze moisture onto Alpine rock.
Wildlife within the park is many and varied. Guanacos (a lama-like creature) are found amongst the area's numerous rises, as are huemels (a deer-like animal) and pumas, with the latter being extremely rare. The park's avian inhabitants include flamingos (found around the salt water lakes), condors, lesser rheas (large flightless birds), raptors, buzzards, sparrows, owls, woodpeckers, butterflies, and even penguins – giving birdwatchers plenty to marvel at.
There are also numerous shades of flora within the park, as the Chilean firebush blooms into a rowdy, spirited red during summer, while beech trees transform into lighter citrus shades during the waning months of autumn.
Hiking and Walking Within the Park
Touted as one of the best treks in existence, the Torres del Paine Circuit is also the longest trek in the park, winding 140 kilometres through granite peaks, forest and lakes. A true highlight of travelling in South America, the walk may take roughly 11 to 14 days to complete, as getting over the highest pass, Paso John Gardner (1180 metres), can prove difficult during inclement weather. There is a shorter version, named the W trail, which takes roughly five days to complete.
However, even the longer walk is not particularly difficult (weather permitting), as the trails are well marked, cabins provide accommodation, and the rises are gentle. It's the unpredictable weather which proves troublesome, making it imperative to bring wet and cold weather gear. The winds can storm with menace, quickly whipping up to 100 kilometres an hour, and snow has been known to block the passes during summer. The ozone layer also proves quite an issue, so bring sunglasses and a hat.
The winter provides surprisingly mild weather, accompanied by shorter days. Although it's necessary to stay in park accommodation during this time, it's likely you'll have the park to yourself. During the summer, the most popular time to holiday in Chile, the howling forces are in full fury. If deciding not to pack a tent in summer, booking accommodation in advance is essential.
Travel to and From the Park
Flights to Chile run frequently, and many tours in South America lie in wait to deliver a fresh adventurer to one of its far flung attractions. Tours from Santiago to the park can be arranged, as can public transport, although the distance can be a little daunting for those pressed for time. Puerto Natales, however, is an excellent stopover to break the journey (roughly three hours from the park), which offers daily trips into the area.
Torres del Paine isn't particularly easy to get to, as it sits near the ends of the Earth, near one of the great icy poles of the world. However this unique and spectacular national park proves more than worth the effort. As here one can feel the raw isolation, and see the lunar, Eden-like landscapes that will stay in one's mind for many years to come.
Sources
- Abraham, Rudolf. 2010. Torres Del Paine: Trekking in Chile's Premier National Park. Cicerone Press: Spain.
- Luongo, Michael; O'Malley, Charlie; Pashby, Christie. 2009. Frommer's Argentina. Wiley Publishing: Hoboken.
- McCarthy, Caroline. 2009. Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes. Lonely Planet: Footscray.
Andy Tope - Andy is a freelance writer and photographer based in Byron Bay. He is available for copywriting, travel, food and SEO projects.
Join the Conversation