The most beautiful national parks in Patagonia. Torres del Paine - a window into the natural world of Patagonia National parks of Chile
This decision is largely due to the tireless efforts of American philanthropists Doug Tompkins and Christine McDivitt Tompkins, who donated the largest amount of private land to the government in history. Christine Tompkins donated 400,000 hectares of private land that she and her late husband purchased and restored over 25 years.
Presidential Decree
On Monday, these lands were added to another 3.5 million hectares, about which President Michelle Bachelet issued a decree.
“These beautiful lands, with their forests and rich ecosystems, expand the network of national parks to more than 4 million hectares,” Bachelet said in a statement. Thus, national parks in Chile increased by 38.5%, representing 81.1% of Chile’s protected areas.” The new parks will complement existing protected areas such as Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares, Perito Moreno and Los Alerces national parks.
Conservation efforts
The American couple has spent decades and hundreds of millions of dollars working to preserve the land and wildlife in parts of Chile that they have been able to protect from exploitation and degradation. The effort required a lot of effort, as Doug, the founder of The North Face, and Christine, who was the CEO of the Patagonia brand, faced stiff resistance from local residents. They saw the couple as just foreigners who were only interested in the land, which they would not allow to be used for logging or grazing.
“National parks are born out of pain, headaches and a lot of hard work, both physically and politically,” Christine said. “It was impossible to achieve this without a miracle.” But miracles are just the result of hard work.”
Non-profit organization
She and her husband created Tompkins Conservation, a nonprofit that works with local communities to help preserve and restore an area in Chile the size of Switzerland, providing jobs and wages. Because these 10 million acres of protected areas are not contiguous, President Bachelet also announced plans to create a network of parks connected by a 2,400-kilometer hiking trail.
Nature conservation in Chile
The move reinforces Chile's reputation for excellence in conservation and environmental protection, following the creation of one of the world's largest marine sanctuaries surrounding Easter Island.
The protection of vast areas is the culmination of decades of work by the Tompkinsons, although Doug, unfortunately, was never able to see the final result. He died in Chile in 2015. However, Christine initiated the transfer of protected areas to the state, because she is confident that the main value of nature is not in its benefits to humans or the possibility of exploitation, but in its pristineness and beauty.
National parks of Chile.Laguna San Rafael National Park. This park is the birthplace of icebergs. Here you can see a stunning sight - sheets of ice sliding into a neon blue lagoon. The ice field consists of 19 main glaciers, which have recently undergone significant melting under the influence of high temperatures.
Article: National parks of Chile.
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Juan Fernandez Islands. Discovered by chance in 1574 by Juan Fernandez, these islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, 670 km west of Valparaiso. The islands are distinguished by unusual flora and fauna - some of the plant species that grow here you will not see anywhere else in the world. The only mammal native to this region is the fur seal, which was on the verge of extinction in the last century. Among the 11 species of birds in the Juan Fernandez Islands, the hummingbird stands out.
Despite the fact that the islands are named after Juan Fernandez, the most legendary person associated with them is Alexander Selkirk. This unlucky but resourceful Scot was shipwrecked near the islands and thereby inspired Daniel Defoe to write the book Robinson Crusoe. Selcreek was forced to settle on the islands, and lived alone in a cave for 4 years before being rescued by two British privateers. Despite the fact that such isolation was very painful both spiritually and physically, Selkirk’s story ended happily, and after returning to England he became a celebrity.
Torres del Paine National Park. It seems that the tall granite pillars of Torres del Paine point directly into the sky above Patagonia. The pillars, which look like vertical drops and reach a height of 2,600 meters, are the main attraction of the main national park in South America. But the whole nature of “Torres del Paine” is also impressive - valleys with sparkling blue lakes, winding streams and rivers, cascading waterfalls, huge glaciers and impenetrable forests. Torres del Paine is one of those places on the planet where the hand of nature has created especially magical pictures. The park, covering an area of 180,000 hectares, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Animals such as guanacos and Chilean deer are protected by this organization. In the park you can find more than 150 species of birds (including flamingos, condors, black swans, eagles, etc.), about 25 mammals (such as foxes, pumas), as well as more than 200 species of plants.
Laguna San Rafael National Park. This park is the birthplace of icebergs. Here you can see a stunning sight - sheets of ice sliding into a neon blue lagoon. The ice field consists of 19 main glaciers, which have recently undergone significant melting under the influence of high temperatures. But don't worry - the ice will last here for several more millennia. San Rafael Park is also home to many wild animals such as pudus, pumas, and foxes. And in the area of glaciers, penguins, albatrosses, otters and sea lions live.
Chiloe National Park. Charles Darwin once visited this region, which later became a densely forested park. Scientists are still studying the unique flora and fauna of the park. It is located along the entire Pacific coastline and consists mainly of coniferous evergreen vegetation. More than a hundred species of birds visit the coast and forests of this area.
Vincente Perez Rosales National Park. This main national park in Chile is perhaps the most beautiful. It is located in the south of the District of Lakes, so it is surrounded on the eastern side by many crystal clear bodies of water. In addition, there are two famous volcanoes nearby - Puvehu and Osorno. One of the important features of the park is the emerald waters of Lake Todos Los Santos, where you can see the magnificent reflection of the Osorno volcano with its perfectly symmetrical cone. Volcano Osorno poses a challenge to climbers, although climbing it requires high qualifications and special equipment. In winter, the park turns into a magnificent ski resort.
Juan Fernandez Islands. Discovered by chance in 1574 by Juan Fernandez, these islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, 670 km west of Valparaiso. The islands are distinguished by unusual flora and fauna - some of the plant species that grow here you will not see anywhere else in the world. The only mammal native to this region is the fur seal, which was on the verge of extinction in the last century. Among the 11 species of birds in the Juan Fernandez Islands, the hummingbird stands out.
Despite the fact that the islands are named after Juan Fernandez, the most legendary person associated with them is Alexander Selkirk. This unlucky but resourceful Scot was shipwrecked near the islands and thereby inspired Daniel Defoe to write the book Robinson Crusoe. Selcreek was forced to settle on the islands, and lived alone in a cave for 4 years before being rescued by two British privateers. Despite the fact that such isolation was very painful both spiritually and physically, Selkirk’s story ended happily, and after returning to England he became a celebrity.
Torres del Paine National Park. It seems that the tall granite pillars of Torres del Paine point directly into the sky above Patagonia. The pillars, which look like vertical drops and reach a height of 2,600 meters, are the main attraction of the main national park in South America. But the whole nature of “Torres del Paine” is also impressive - valleys with sparkling blue lakes, winding streams and rivers, cascading waterfalls, huge glaciers and impenetrable forests. Torres del Paine is one of those places on the planet where the hand of nature has created especially magical pictures. The park, covering an area of 180,000 hectares, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Animals such as guanacos and Chilean deer are protected by this organization. In the park you can find more than 150 species of birds (including flamingos, condors, black swans, eagles, etc.), about 25 mammals (such as foxes, pumas), as well as more than 200 species of plants.
Laguna San Rafael National Park. This park is the birthplace of icebergs. Here you can see a stunning sight - sheets of ice sliding into a neon blue lagoon. The ice field consists of 19 main glaciers, which have recently undergone significant melting under the influence of high temperatures. But don't worry - the ice will last here for several more millennia. San Rafael Park is also home to many wild animals such as pudus, pumas, and foxes. And the area of glaciers is home to penguins, albatrosses, otters and sea lions.
Chiloe National Park. Charles Darwin once visited this region, which later became a densely forested park. Scientists are still studying the unique flora and fauna of the park. It is located along the entire Pacific coastline and consists mainly of coniferous evergreen vegetation. More than a hundred species of birds visit the coast and forests of this area.
Vincente Perez Rosales National Park. This main national park in Chile is perhaps the most beautiful. It is located in the south of the District of Lakes, so it is surrounded on the eastern side by many crystal clear bodies of water. In addition, there are two famous volcanoes nearby - Puvehu and Osorno. One of the important features of the park is the emerald waters of Lake Todos Los Santos, where you can see the magnificent reflection of the Osorno volcano with its perfectly symmetrical cone. Volcano Osorno poses a challenge to climbers, although climbing it requires high qualifications and special equipment. In winter, the park turns into a magnificent ski resort.
Sometimes it seems that Patagonia consists entirely of natural parks of extraordinary beauty - from cold lakes to glaciers, from the ocean to the sky.
Sometimes it seems that Patagonia consists entirely of natural parks of extraordinary beauty - from deserts to glaciers, from the ocean to the sky.
1. Torres del Paine, Chile
The best national park in Chile, which received the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Choose a one-day program, the Circuito circuit trail (9-day trip for physically fit travelers with overnight stops in tents and the opportunity to see the unheard-of beauty of the Glacier Gray glacier) or its shortened version - the W trail (travel time - 5 days, estimated acquaintance with all the main attractions of the park). You'll be sure to see the Torres Towers and Granite Horns, and encounter flamingos, rare guanacos, Andean condors and Chilean deer. This beast is the size of a hare, which, however, did not prevent it from being depicted on the coat of arms of Chile.
2. Los Glaciares, Argentina
Under the protection of UNESCO there is another unique natural park - “Los Glaciares”, located almost on the Chilean border. In addition to Mount Fitz Royse, the Santa Cruz River, and Lake Argentino - famous and wonderful - there is a unique Perito Moreno glacier in the park. Once every 2-3 years it breaks up, and then you, fascinated, watch how ice fragments break off and fly from a 60-meter height, exploding the blue Chilean waters.
3. Magdalena Islands (Islas de Magdalena), Chile
The Magdalena Islands, located in the Strait of Magellan, are home to a countless colony of penguins. People come here on zodiac boats, land on a rather deserted shore and walk along specially laid paths in close proximity to penguin families. You can spend no more than an hour here (this is monitored very strictly), but this is enough to fully enjoy the circus going on around you. It’s not for nothing that Magellanic penguins are called jackass - they really scream like real donkeys. Add to this the stunning smell of fish and droppings and you get a picture worthy of a painter’s brush. Otherwise, penguins are the cutest creatures, they are not at all afraid of people and willingly climb into the camera.
4. Islas de Wollaston and Cape Horn, Chile
The national park on the De Wollaston Islands (“Islas de Wollaston”) can only be accessed from the southernmost city on our planet, Puerto Williams. The most famous geographical names of the archipelago are Cape Horn and Drake Passage. This “couple” terrified sailors for centuries. Cape Horn is separated from Antarctica by only 800 kilometers of raging water (this, in fact, is the Drake Passage). There are constant storms and fogs here - it’s good if the sun comes out a couple of times a year. Cape Horn itself is an almost lifeless space, overgrown with dry grass, home to penguins and nutria. Wooden walkways lead to a monument called "Albatross", which perpetuates the memory of all the sailors who died here. The cries of living albatrosses mix here with the howling of the wind, so that it seems that the souls of sailors are also constantly rushing over the sea and screaming.
Global Village
Any idea outlined in this article can become the basis for your journey. Choose from group tours to Argentina and Chile on the website or call our expert to develop a custom itinerary!
The stunning mountain scenery of Torres del Paine National Park is unparalleled in the world and is considered one of the most spectacular wonders in the natural world. A gem among Chile's national parks, it is so magnificent that few parks in the world can match its magnificence. The famous peaks of Patagonia can be seen on promotional brochures and book covers all over the world. But this park is not only mountains. Torres del Paine is the personification of the beauty of Mother Nature, with granite peaks soaring high into the sky, rivers and waterfalls, glaciers and lakes. The park is recognized throughout the world as one of the most beautiful, unique places on our planet, a real natural reserve that has preserved its flora and fauna untouched by human activity.
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Although the park is located next to the Andes Mountains, Torres del Paine is a separate geological formation. Millions of years ago, a huge stream of molten magma erupted from the bowels of the earth and formed a high mountain range in the middle of the Patagonian steppes. Glaciations and harsh climatic conditions have weathered the soft rocks and over the past few thousand years formed a beautiful relief, the characteristic features of which are Los Cuernos (translated from Spanish as “horns”) and the unique Torres (Las Torres) - three pinkish granite towers, from which the national park takes its name. Paine means "blue" in the Tehuelche Indian language. This color is reflected in various shades in the lakes, rivers and glaciers that abound in this mountain range.
One of the main attractions of the park is the wide variety of fauna: 118 species of birds (15 species of raptors) and 26 mammals (including guanacos, pumas, Andean deer, and South American fox). Some of these species are very common (guanaco), others are endangered (Andean deer). The territory of the park is 2,422 hectares and almost all the landscapes of Patagonia are collected in this territory - the Patagonian steppe, Magellanic subpolar forests, and the Andean desert. Since hunting has been prohibited here for more than 50 years, wild animals are practically not afraid of people. Guanacos are among the most common mammals in the park. In addition to them, the park is a natural habitat for pumas, foxes, and Chilean deer, which is under threat of complete extermination. The Chilean deer is depicted on the country's coat of arms; it is comparable in size to a hare.
Hurricane-force winds dominate the region during the spring and summer, but the native vegetation is resistant to strong winds and harsh weather conditions and somehow survives in this inhospitable terrain. The park's vegetation differs depending on the area of the park you visit.
The famous Scottish writer Lady Florence Dixie, in her book "Across Patagonia" (1880), first described the area in which the three famous Towers were called Cleopatra's Needles (Cleopatra's Needles are popular names for three ancient Egyptian obelisks that were taken from Egypt in the 19th century and installed in Paris , London and New York). Following her, in the next few decades, Torres del Paine was visited by several famous European scientists and explorers: the Swedish polar explorer Nils Otto Gustav Norskjöld, the Swedish botanist and Antarctic explorer Carl Scottsberg, the mountaineer, geographer and ethnographer Alberto Maria de Agostini.
Torres del Paine was once home to several livestock farms (estancias), but with the creation of the park in 1959, all estancias were moved to another area. Since then, the park has grown to its current size of 2,422 hectares (20% of the country's total national parks), and in 1978 received the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Torres del Paine is one of Chile's most popular national parks, with more than 100,000 visitors a year. Despite the significant increase in visitors (in 1981 the park received only 5,000 people), it can hardly be called a visited park. For example, Yosemite National Park, with an area slightly larger than the Chilean park, receives about 5 million visitors, tens of times more.
The best way to experience the magic of Torres del Paine National Park is to hike through it. The park offers a variety of day hikes, with two of the most famous treks being "El Circuito", a 9-day trek around the Paine massif, and the most popular "W", a shortened version of the first route along the southern part of the Paine massif. , a hike that takes 5 days. This park is a hiker's dream; many visitors find great pleasure in multi-day hikes along the park's trails. Even those visiting the park on a one-day visit admire the beauty of its nature.
Trails of Torres del Paine
Trail W
This trail is so named because hikers follow a W-shaped route that runs along the area of three valleys. This trail leads to the main attractions of the park - the Towers (Las Torres), the Horns (Los Cuernos), the French Valley (Valle del Frances) and the Glacier Gray glacier, that is, in 4-5 days you can explore all the main beautiful places. The park's infrastructure allows you to hike along the entire W trail, and at the same time sleep in houses (refugios), eat hot food, take a shower and even order a cocktail. The W trail is the most popular among tourists; many, even without the necessary experience, make the trek along it.
Circuit Trail
The Circuit Trail is less popular with hikers than the W because it is longer and requires camping at least twice. This route is designed for physically fit hikers and includes several challenging hikes up and down steep, rugged terrain. Your efforts will be rewarded with a variety of beautiful landscapes, from steppe plains and winding rivers to dense ancient beech forest, snow-capped peaks, and most importantly, the spectacular Glacier Gray glacier.
Should you hike just the W Trail or do the entire loop trail? The answer to this question depends on time, experience and endurance. You need about eight/nine days to complete the entire Circuit Trail, while the "W" takes four to five. By taking the Circuit Trail, you'll certainly see more without being overcrowded even during peak season, but the W Trail allows you to see all of the park's main attractions in a shorter amount of time.
All the trails in the park are clearly marked, so it is not at all necessary to resort to the services of a guide; you can make the transitions on your own without any problems. You can carry your own tent (or rent one), necessary food and stay overnight in designated camping areas. In total, there are about 15 campsites in the park. If you don’t want to carry everything you need with you (sleeping bag, tent, food), the W trail allows you to eat and spend the night in houses (refugios). During the period of mass influx of tourists (December, January and February), there are not enough places in the houses for everyone, so they must be booked in advance before the trip.
In addition to walking excursions, tourists can enjoy fishing, rock climbing, glacier hiking, kayaking, horseback riding tours, and wildlife watching.
Attractions of Torres del Paine National Park
One of the main attractions of the park are the most famous peaks "Los Cuernos" (horns) and "Las Torres" (towers), each of which has three peaks. Rising from the steppe plains of southern Patagonia, the peaks of Los Cuernos and Las Torres are among the most photographed sites in South America. Their shape was largely "modeled" by the movement of glaciers and the force of the wind.
Los Cuernos
The spectacular view has turned Los Cuernos into one of the most famous and popular formations of Torres del Paine. They can be observed from different angles from most observation points in the national park. With an altitude of over 2,000 meters, Los Cuernos are an integral part of the W Trail, the most popular in the park. There is a place for camping, a house, you can buy food and spend the night.
Towers (Las Torres)
The famous towers gave the name to the Torres del Paine National Park (Torres del Paine means “Blue Towers”) and have long been considered its main symbols. Three needle-shaped granite towers, ranging from 2,600 to 2,850 meters in height, are located in the northeast of the Paine massif, with a walking trail leading to them. A popular place among tourists and climbers, especially since 1958, when Italian climber Guido Monzino climbed the North Tower.
You can get to the foot of the towers on foot and return the same day. This would be the easiest thing to do. Some tourists make the trek in the evening, watch the sun set on the towers and stay overnight at a campsite near the towers. Then they return back again and early in the morning they watch the sun rise, when a red light illuminates the walls of the towers. The only trouble is that the weather is often cloudy, and for this reason there is a high risk of not seeing anything.
Glacier Gray
One of the most beautiful places in Torres del Paine National Park is Glacier Gray, the most spectacular glacier in the park. Of the park's four glaciers, Glacier Gray is the best known, largest, and most accessible. The glacier is 28 km long and has a total area of 270 square kilometers and is part of the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the third largest in the world after Antarctica and Greenland.
Hiking on the Glacier Gray Glacier is one of the most popular activities in Torres del Paine. Puerto Natales tour company Big Foot is the only operator authorized to conduct tours on the Glacier Gray ice. The tour includes a descent onto the glacier, walks along the glacier, inspection of ice caves, and ice climbing is a separate item. This company also organizes boat trips to the glacier.
French Valley
Located in the center of the W trail, Frances Valle is the most beautiful of all four valleys of the Torres del Paine National Park. For some tourists this is the most spectacular section of the route. From here you have a beautiful panoramic view of huge granite walls, hanging glaciers, lakes, Los Cuernos and a valley covered with greenery and flowers.
Laguna Azul
Located at the entrance to Torres del Paine National Park, this beautiful lagoon (Laguna Azul) is surrounded by forest and mountains with rich flora and fauna. An ideal place to enjoy the beauty and peace of a beautiful corner of nature.