Torres del Paine is located in Southern Patagonia and is one of the numerous spectacular national parks in Chile. It was created in 1959 and UNESCO has listed the location as a Biosphere Reserve since 1978. This place is a wonder land for hikers from all over the world.
Waterfalls and rivers, Magellanic subpolar forests, pampas, mountains covered with permanent ice, granite peaks, meadows and glacier fed lakes await the outdoor adventurers to discover the wild and unique nature of Patagonia. The El Cirquito Trail, or else the Grand Cirquit, is 93 mi/150 km long and takes between eight to eleven days to complete.
To get to the trail head, from east to west, there are minibuses at the parks entrance that will take you to Laguna Amarga, where you can start your hike. The trail takes you through one of the most beautiful places on earth. The world wide known Towers or else called Torres, the French Valley and the Gray Mirador, Lago Dickson and Glacier, and many more breathtaking landscapes are on the way, until completing this clockwise trail.
The nature around you is overwhelming, with outstanding ecosystems, different landscapes and rare flora and fauna, found nowhere else on the planet. In every step you take, the views of this dramatic land, take your breath away. You can hike this trail all year round, but the best time to visit Torres del Paine is between November and February. There are many campgrounds and refugios along the Grand Cirquit trail, where you can spend the night.
Be very well prepared in regards with gear, food and clothing because the weather is unpredictable with high winds, rain showers, long hot days during summer, snow and everything else you may think of. Wind proof layers are the key.
