Patagonia boasts some of the world’s best hiking trails. While W Trek may be well-known, doing some additional research will reveal many more trails with breathtaking vistas and unforgettable hikes.
Eagle’s Rock in Futaleufu offers spectacular panoramic views across two picturesque Alpine lakes, while Torres del Paine National Park boasts expansive ice fields and towering granite peaks.
1. El Chalten
El Chalten is an ideal hiking destination, both beautiful and easily accessible, for anyone searching for a memorable hiking trip. Surrounded by stunning peaks such as Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy, as well as forests that add some color contrast, El Chalten offers numerous hikes of various difficulty that provide breathtaking views of its mountain landscapes and glaciers.
The Huemul Circuit is one of Patagonia’s premier hikes and provides an exciting challenge to hikers looking for an adventure. This three day trek includes camping out in nature for an up close and personal experience with its natural setting as you can enjoy your own private campsite.
Note, however, that this trail is not intended for beginners and requires an exceptional level of fitness. Furthermore, Patagonia weather can be extremely harsh so having proper gear and an understanding of the trail are musts to avoid unpleasant experiences along your journey.
There are fortunately several shorter hiking trails that can be completed within a day that provide some of the finest views of these iconic peaks, such as Laguna de los Tres trek and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado hike – easily reached from trailheads in El Chalten and will give an opportunity to experience all that El Chalten has to offer.
Both treks will lead you through stunning Patagonian wilderness and offer breathtaking views of Los Glaciares National Park from close up. While hiring a guide is not mandatory for these hikes, hiring one is highly recommended and can enhance the experience immensely. A guide can assist in keeping a steady footing as well as ensure you have adequate clothing and camping gear suitable for the weather conditions.
2. Cerro Castillo
Cerro Castillo provides stunning views without crowds – an unforgettable multi-day trek through Chilean Patagonia featuring castle-like spires and glacial lagoons that shouldn’t be missed! Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!
One of the many joys of trekking in Patagonia is exploring all of your options available to you. While Torres del Paine Full Circuit and W Trek may be among the more well-known routes, there are other trails which will lead you to see places not seen by many others.
You will find trails to suit every experience level here, from easy and challenging. Most trails have well-marked routes with ranger huts or campgrounds nearby for added peace of mind on even off-the-beaten-path routes.
As most trails in this region are within national parks, many require entry fees as well. These fees help ensure these trails remain clean and safe, so it is vital to pay attention to trail signs and information posted at ranger huts.
While hiking, be mindful to keep an eye out for wildlife. This region is home to various creatures including endangered huemul deer. Springtime is best time to see them at work when they are most active and breeding.
Hiking in Patagonia during this season can also be ideal, with weather being clearer and warmer than other seasons; however, this also represents high season for tourists, so trails may become congested at times.
This hike offers an unforgettable and captivating experience unlike anything you have experienced before. A fantastic way to exercise, appreciate nature and gain historical knowledge at the same time, this adventure brings together two countries and no-man’s land on one journey – quite an amazing and humbling experience indeed! Bring plenty of water and sun protection along with you as well as carry a map for navigation purposes and be aware of weather conditions on the day.
3. Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine National Park offers some of Patagonia’s most breathtaking hiking trails. Dubbed “Patagonia’s Crown Jewel,” this park features towering granite peaks and glaciers that make for stunning scenery while hiking. However, due to its popularity and crowds of visitors who flock here each year, its trek can often become overrun. However, alternative hiking trails exist that offer similar great views without all of the people.
Mirador Las Torres, a short trail which offers breathtaking views of Torres del Paine granite peaks, is one of the premier hikes in Torres del Paine. Most commonly included as part of W or Full Circuit Treks – two popular ways of experiencing Torres del Paine – it can also be done as a day hike if you just want a taster of Torres del Paine without taking on multi-day trekking expeditions.
Torres del Paine offers many superb day hikes, such as the Los Dientes Glacier Tour: an enjoyable trek that leads to the edge of Tronador Glacier and past ice caves. A special feature of this hike is crossing no-man’s land rather than trekking directly towards an actual glacier; an experience you won’t find elsewhere and should definitely be considered when visiting Torres del Paine.
For those seeking an uncrowded alternative to hiking Torres del Paine, the Montes Martial circuit provides an exciting three-day trek that winds its way around Ushuaia’s mountain range behind Ushuaia. While more difficult, this trek still offers spectacular scenery. Sierra Valdivieso trek also makes an outstanding option; four days traverse lake-carved valleys in southern Patagonia while including overnight stays at well-equipped mountain huts along its route.
Planning a visit to Torres del Paine National Park? Be sure to book accommodations early – campsites and refugios fill quickly! Use Hostel Erratic Rock in Puerto Williams as a service provider – their accommodation includes trekking guides – while also hosting an informative seminar each day at 3pm which covers everything there is to know about Torres del Paine National Park! Plus they have a hiking rental shop which can assist with equipment for your visit!
4. Lago Chico Loop
Although Torres del Paine attracts the majority of visitors to Patagonia, another nearby hike offers similar views without as many crowds: Lago Chico Loop is a scenic trek around two lakes and a glacier offering beautiful vistas of mountains and icefields in this region.
Mount Fitz Roy can be seen from several points along the trail, and aspirant climbers often use this area as training grounds before attempting to summit one of Argentina’s iconic peaks. The hike itself is considered moderate and suitable for hikers of most abilities – you should be able to complete it in three to four days depending on how much walking is desired each day.
This hike features the beautiful sights of Patagonia from an entirely new angle: glacier-capped peaks forming the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are its centerpiece, and as you pass through various landscapes such as forests, meadows, and even glacial rivers on this journey – making this trail an excellent hiking adventure!
One of the highlights of this trail is crossing John Gardner Pass, offering breathtaking views of glaciers slithering high above you and thundering through the mountains like thunderbolt. Don’t miss this hike – read my full guide to Torres del Paine O Circuit for more details and highlights of this adventure.
Montes recommends Alerce Costero National Park near Valdivia as it boasts relaxing trails lined with Fitzroya trees and features an endpoint where marine fossils can be observed.
Montes recommends Ushuaia’s Rio Larsifashaj waterfall hike as an easy, straightforward path with little inclines, leading through woods of Estancia Haberton private land and with stunning waterfall views to be had along its course. Special permission from trekking companies must be acquired to enter these territory but it will certainly pay dividends with spectacular sights such as those seen from this path and waterfall views!