Mirador Las Torres Day Hike in Torres del Paine National Park
Updated January 2024, Mirador Las Torres Day Hike was originally written in October 2018
If you’re only going to do one trek in Torres del Paine it definitely should be the Mirador Las Torres day hike. At this point, you’re likely searching the internet for information on treks in Patagonia and the one photo you’ve probably seen the most in your queries is likely the shot of the famed turquoisey-green lake in front of the three granite Torres.
In Spanish, the name Mirador Las Torres translates out to towers’ viewpoint. Many will visit Mirador Las Torres as part of the W Circuit trek when hiking in TdP. But what if you don’t have the time to spare (or didn’t plan in advance), and can’t do the 5 Day W Circuit or O Circuit? Plan a day hike or book a Los Torres day hike guided tour.
Have an extra day to spare? Check out how to see Torres del Paine in 2 days!
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Important Things To Know Before Setting Out On The Mirador Las Torres Hike
- The best months to visit are November through March as that is summer in the Southern Hemisphere and when skies are clearest.
- Dress in layers. The weather in Patagonia is notoriously unpredictable. It could go from warm and sunny to downright freezing in an instant.
- The trek is 18 km round trip with 900 m elevation gain.
- The hike round trip should take you 8-9 hours.
- Pack food, snacks, and water with you. There is a spring you’ll go past that is safe to get water from as well.
- You will pass two refugios on the trail. You can use the toilets at them.
- There are campsites available at the refugios, however, you’ll need to book them in advance, especially in the peak season.
- You can reach the trailhead by public transport and trek unguided into Mirador Las Torres. You can also book guided hikes that include transport as well.
How To Get To The Mirador Las Torres Trailhead
- Bus: Bus Sur, Bus Maria José, and Bus Gomez buses depart Puerto Natales Bus Station at 7 am, 11 am, & 2:30 pm. You’ll want to get off the bus at Laguna Amarga. Round trip bus tickets cost $15,000 CP/$23 USD. It takes about 2 hours to reach Torres del Paine National Park.
- Buses return to Puerto Natales from Laguna Amarga at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 7:00 pm, and 7:45 pm.
- Shuttle: The Mirador Las Torres trailhead is located 7 km from where the buses will drop you off at Laguna Amarga. You can walk it, or grab a Las Torres Hotel shuttle that transports people from the bus stop to the trailhead (their hotel is right next to the trailhead). The cost of the shuttle is $4,500 CP/$5.70 USD each way. Shuttles will usually be waiting at the bus stop or show up shortly after the bus arrives at Laguna Amarga. On return, shuttles depart the trailhead to Laguna Amarga at 9:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 7:00 pm.
- Self Drive: If you’d like it is possible to rent a car and drive yourself to the trailhead from Puerto Natales or beyond. Check out car rentals here.
- Tour: Wanna take the headache out of planning and trying to coordinate hiking Mirador Las Torres in one day? Check out this guided Las Torres day hike. You can also book tours once you arrive in Puerto Natales from most hostals and save a little money.
Going to Argentina too? Don’t miss out on Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park
The Mirador Las Torres Day Hike
- Length: 18km
- Time: 8-9 Hours
- Elevation Gain: 900m
You’ll start from the trailhead, following the grassy field along Las Torres Hotel, crossing a couple of small bridges that only 1-2 people at a time can cross.
The first kilometer is pretty flat and then you begin a gradual ascent up to Refugio Chileno.
The next section will take you through a forest and the trail stays pretty flat for about the next 3 kilometers.
Once you leave the forest, then it’s on to the steepest part and final push up to Mirador Las Torres. For about the next kilometer, it’s a fairly steep hike to the top. It should take you about 45 minutes.
Once at the top take a break, snap some photos, and have some lunch before beginning the descent.
You’ll head back the exact way you just came from.
Tours
I recommend booking this Mirador Las Torres Day Hike if you plan to book ahead. You can also opt to book from your hostal in Puerto Natales or from offices in Puerto Natales as well.
Packing List
- Daypack
- Hydration Pack
- Hiking Boots
- Trekking Poles
- Sunscreen
- Plenty Of Water
- Snacks + Lunch
Where To Sleep
You have a couple of options as to where to stay. You can sleep in Torres del Paine National Park, but to stay in a campsite or refugio you’ll need to reserve it well in advance. Otherwise, there are hostels and hotels available within the park, but they are quite expensive.
Your other option is to stay in nearby Puerto Natales, which is about 2 hours by bus from the park.
In Puerto Natales
Budget
Puma House
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |
Midrange
Hostal El Sendero
| Booking.com | Agoda.com |
Recommended! Owner Juan is just lovely and very helpful
Splurge
Wesker Lodge
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |
In Torres del Paine National Park
Budget
Konkashken Lodge
| Booking.com | Agoda.com |
Midrange
Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |
Splurge
Hotel Las Torres
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |
You can book campsites and refugios (shelters) through CONAF (online reservations should be possible shortly), as well as private refugios and campsites, which is a much cheaper option than hotels. You will need to book these well in advance as they book out. Click here to find out more.
Budget
DIY
Torres del Paine Entrance Fee (good for 3 days): $25,000 CP/$32 USD
Round Trip Bus Tickets Puerto Natales-TdP: $18,000 CP/$23 USD
Round Trip Shutttle Laguna Amarga-Trailhead: $9,000 CP/$11.40 USD
Total: $52,000 CP/$65 USD
Guided Tour
Torres del Paine Entrance Fee (good for 3 days): $25,000 CP/$38 USD
Tour: $35,000-48,000 CP/$45-$60 USD
Total $60,000-73,000 CP/$76-93 USD
Have Any Questions About The Mirador Las Torres Day Hike?
Ask in the comments below! Don’t forget to grab a copy of Bradt’s guide to Patagonia to help you plan your visit.
This is so helpfull for my trip to Patagonia. Thnks Nicole Love to read your post. A hike to the base of the 3 Towers and the rest seeing by bus is great if your don’t have enhough days for the W trekking. But I think to plan 3 hole day for Torres del Paine to plan the best day (wheather) for Mirador las Torres. And good to hear you had good wheater in March because I will be there in march too.
Hope you enjoy Mirador Las Torres and Patagonia! I had pretty good weather in the region in March, fingers crossed for you that you will have the same weather luck
what is the name of the small turquoise green lake at the Mirador del TdP?
I am not aware of the lake actually having a name (I’ve never even seen it named on a map now that I think of it). Since the Ventisquero Torres (glacier) sits right above the lake I’d be inclined to call it Torres as well if I had to name it myself. Sorry I don’t have a concrete answer for you!
This is great. We are super excited about doing this hike!
Awesome, hope you enjoy and fingers crossed for clear sky!!
Hi there! Thanks so much for this post- it’s wildly informative. Just wondering if you were right on time coming from Puerta Natales on the bus/shuttle, and making it back in time for the last bus back to Puerta Natales? We are very fit and experienced hikers, but planned this trip last minute with a mini break in our travel schedule, and don’t have hiking boots. I think we should be able to complete it in 7 hours, which would be in the time frame, but just curious if it was a concern of yours or what your experience was with that. Thanks again!
Hey Ciara,
As long as the schedules haven’t changed recently they should still be the same. I think it sounds like you guys will make it in 7 hours as well. I always am second guessing myself and get a little nervous things won’t time out but everything worked out well when I did the trek. I hope you guys enjoy it and get some perfect and clear weather because that view of the three towers is magical!