PARQUE NACIONAL TORRES DEL PAINE

To discover the park in the best possible conditions, it's essential to prepare your visit. Indeed, even in summer, weather conditions are changeable, and it's not uncommon for it to snow when the sun was shining just a few hours earlier. If you're planning a trek lasting several days, you'll need the right equipment: waterproof leather walking boots, several pairs of socks, synthetic inner garments that don't absorb water (no cotton or jeans), windbreaker, hat, sunglasses, very warm down jacket, waterproof tent, walking stick, food (supply points in the park are quite expensive), gas stove, headlamp, first-aid kit (sun cream, aspirin, anti-inflammatory, bandages, disinfectant, headbands, thermometer, Swiss Army knife...)...). A GPS or at least a compass are necessary if you're hiking for several days. Above all, it is strictly forbidden to light fires in the park!

The influx of tourists in summer. Fortunately, they are concentrated in a few areas, and those who undertake long treks will be able to enjoy the park in total peace and quiet. Campers, remember that your "enemies" are not the other campers, but the organized groups who sometimes get off the catamaran at Paine Grande Lodge and head for the Grey refuge.

There are two options for visiting this marvellous natural site: walking every day without ever sleeping in the same place; or settling down somewhere and gravitating (on foot or by car) all around to discover the site's various trails.

Important: the times indicated on all the maps are averages; on routes such as the one up to the Torres, it's possible to go faster, if you're used to walking. The aim is not to do the whole loop in record time, but a very good hiker can cover long distances in a day, especially in summer. Finally, while many of you will set off on a 4 to 7-day hike, following the two famous circuits mentioned below, you should be aware that some of the smaller, one-day circuits are much less well known, and just as magnificent: for example, the trail to Laguna Verde, or the one to the Zapata refuge. Don't hesitate to take these short detours. In reality, to get a good idea of the park, a week is the minimum, and ten days is a must.