10-Day Patagonia Trek from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine and Grey Glacier
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
10 days
Fitness Level
Good aerobic fitness with experience carrying a daypack; ability to hike 8–10+ hours on uneven terrain is recommended.
Overview
A 10-day traverse of Torres del Paine’s O circuit that links Puerto Natales to Grey Glacier and the Towers. Expect glacier views, high mountain passes, long lakeside walks and remote campsites—this trek rewards endurance with some of Patagonia’s most dramatic panoramas.
10-Day Patagonia Trek from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine and Grey Glacier
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The morning air in Puerto Natales bites with salt and the promise of distance. Guides gather the group, kit rattling, maps fanned out like cards. By noon the road opens and the city is a shrinking frame; by late afternoon the first scrubby steppe gives way to beech forest and the raw silhouette of the Paine Massif rises to meet you. On this 10-day circuit—whose backbone is the full “O” route—the landscape pushes and pulls at every pace: glaciers daring you to stare, rivers steering your route, and granite horns rising like an abrupt argument with the sky.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer for wind and sun
Patagonian weather changes hourly—bring breathable base layers, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof, windproof shell.
Treat glacial water
Stream and lake water is drinkable but carry a filter or purification tablets—the taste and mineral load can upset sensitive stomachs.
Trek poles and gaiters
Poles stabilize you on moraines and muddy sections; gaiters keep pebbles and mud out of boots on boggy trails.
Reserve acclimatization time
Schedule rest after big pass days like John Gardner; long descents and lactic fatigue make subsequent 10+ hour days harder.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Guanaco
- Andean condor
History
Puerto Natales grew as a port for sheep exports in the early 20th century; the park was designated in 1959 and expanded to protect its glacial systems.
Conservation
High visitation concentrates impact—stick to marked trails, camp only in designated sites, and pack out waste; tour operators work with CONAF on sustainable access.
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Adventure Hotspots in Puerto Natales
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof/breathable shell
Protects from Patagonia’s frequent wind-driven rain and provides a wind barrier during cold passes.
summer specific
Sturdy hiking boots (mid/high cut)
Support and grip for rocky moraines, muddy trails, and long descents.
Sleeping bag (3-season, approx. 0°C comfort)
Keeps you warm in camps that can drop to near-freezing even in summer nights.
summer specific
Crampons & harness (for optional glacier hike)
Required for the guided Grey Glacier ice trek; often provided by guides but verify beforehand.