Mirador Las Torres Day Hike in Torres del Paine National Park

Updated February 2025, 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 |Puerto Natales

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.