Woman looking at Glacier Grey from Mirador Grey along the Glacier Grey Trail in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile

Glacier Grey Hike: How to Hike to the Largest Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park is, perhaps, best known for its namesake rock spires, but it has so much more to offer than that. For example, Glacier Grey, found in the western part of the national park, is a massive hunk of ancient ice, measures a whopping 270 square kilometers and feeds its own stunning glacial lake.  While Torres del Paine is best known for its epic backpacking trips, like the O and W Trek, you can still experience some of its natural wonders, including Glacier Grey, on a (long, but doable!) day hike. Here’s everything you need to know about the Glacier Grey hike, one of the most underrated day trips in Torres del Paine National Park.

Torres del Paine lit up by the sunrise from Mirador Base las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park

Mirador Base las Torres Trail: How to Hike to the Iconic Towers in Torres del Paine National Park

Mirador Base las Torres offers one of the most iconic views in Chile and arguably, all of South America—the rugged spires of Torres del Paine, towering above the electric turquoise waters of Lago Torres. But you’ll DEFINITELY have to work to enjoy these views—in order to get here, you’ll need to hike 6.3 miles (10.1 km) up an incredibly steep and rocky trail to the shores of the lake. If you’re up for the challenge, here’s everything you need to know about the Mirador Base las Torres trail, the best day hike in Torres del Paine National Park.

Couple sitting at the Mirador Británico along the W Trek in Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia

The W Trek in Patagonia: Everything You Need to Know

The W Trek or the W Circuit is arguably the most iconic hike in Patagonia—and for good reason! This famous hike, which snakes through Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, passes ancient glaciers, electric blue alpine lakes, and impossibly jagged mountain peaks. While this hike is absolutely incredible, it’s not exactly the most straightforward to plan—there’s limited (and expensive!) accommodations along the trail, a confusing array of transportation options that you need to take to get to and from the park, and multiple variations of the hike that you can choose from.  My husband, Justin, and I have figured out the logistical challenges of planning a trip to Torres del Paine and recently successfully completed the trail. So if you’ve got your eyes set on hiking the W Trek in Patagonia, here’s everything you need to know about planning and executing your trip.

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