Hiking
Patagonia is a dream destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. Renowned for its trails along stunning views of towering mountains and clear glacial lakes, hiking in Patagonia is a must.
Recommended Gear:
While Patagonia has many day hiking trails, there are also long-distance trails that can take several days to complete. Safely prepare for your journey by making sure you have the right equipment.
Rusack
Layered clothing
Windbreaker jacket
Tents and sleeping bags
Headlamps
Hiking poles
Hiking Trails:
The O Circuit and W Circuit are two of Patagonia’s most famous, yet most challenging, multi-day hiking trails. Located in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, hikers can rent equipment and book reservations at camp sites throughout the park.
The O Circuit completes a full 74-mile loop around the park and can take 7 to 10 days. The W is a shorter alternative, around 47 miles, that covers half the park while still featuring important highlights, taking around 4-5 days to complete.
Outside of these trails, here are a few of our Patagonia hiking suggestions for hikers of different skill levels.
Petrohué Waterfall with view of Osorno Volcano. Raponchi. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Easy:
Chile’s first national park, Vincente Peréz Rozales National Park, contains a variety of beginner and advanced hiking trails with gorgeous views of the Petrohué River and Osorno Volcano. The entrance fee is $8,200 CLP or $8.90 USD, making it a good option for day hiking. The Petrohué Waterfall hike in this park is a great trail for beginners. Just over a mile, the trail takes hikers through the forest to Osorno-made lava rocks where the Petrohué River runs. Many hikers enjoy this beautiful trail on sunny days when the Osorno Volcano is visible.
Petrohue Waterfall Hike:
Length: 1 mi
Time: 30 min- 1hr
Elevation: 118 ft
View of Laguna Cerro Torre. Stefan Straub. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Moderate:
Known as Argentina’s hiking capital, the town of El Chaltén is the starting point for many trails in Patagonia. One of the best known intermediate trails in this area is the Laguna Torre hike, an alternative to the more difficult Laguna De Los Tres hike. This long and rewarding trail offers views of Patagonian glaciers, forests, and rivers against Mount Fitz Roy’s dramatic backdrop. This trail is free to enter and can be completed in one day.
Laguna Torre Hike:
Length: 10 mi
Time: 7-8 hours
Elevation: 1,500 ft
Difficult:
The Argentinian city of Bariloche is a major hiking hub in the Patagonia region. Enjoy the Cerro Tronador Hike in Nahuel Huapi National Park, a challenging trail that takes you from Pampa Linda through classic Patagonian landscapes ending at the base of Cerro Tronador. From here, hikers can spend the night on the mountainside at Refugio Otto Meiling or bring tents to camp. Experienced mountaineers can also summit Mount Tronador in groups.
Cerro Tronador Hike:
Length: 8.7 mi
Time: 7.5+ hrs (Overnight stay recommended)
Elevation: 3,200 ft
Biking Routes:
For single-day biking trips with scenic environments, one option is to visit the Rio Manso trail outside of Bariloche in the Patagonian Lake District. This trail runs next to the Manso River, taking riders on a trip across bridges, along the river banks, and through verdant forests.
Length: 25 mi
If you are looking for a multi-day biking trip, there are many established circuits starting near Bariloche that can take up to 5-7 days to complete. Bikers can expect to enjoy resting at campsites nestled in the Lake District’s beautiful landscape. The 7 Lakes biking trail is a great option for bikers looking to explore the region. The trail runs from Briloche to San Martín de los Andes.
Length: 124 mi (25 mi/day)
Time: 5 days