Easy
Torres del Paine
Mirador Cóndor
Distance2km
Duration1h
Gain+150m
Weather
Torres del Paine · Chile
Glaciar Grey
A long return hike from Paine Grande to views of Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Distance
- 22km
- Duration
- 8h
- Elevation gain
- +700m
- Max altitude
- 500m
- Route type
- Out & back
The route starts at Refugio Paine Grande and follows the western arm of the W Trek toward Refugio Grey. It crosses open and forested terrain with viewpoints over Lago Grey before reaching the glacier area. This record is the standard return hike from Paine Grande; suspension-bridge extensions beyond Refugio Grey are not included.
About the hard grade: Full-day efforts, 800 m+ of gain. Steep, rough terrain, possible scrambles. Early starts and weather windows matter.
Conditions in Torres del Paine
NowAlerts
-6°Moderate snow · feels -10°
Weather watch
Wind6 km/h
Gusts37 km/h
Rain100%
Humidity89%
Daylight11h 47m
Rise / Set07:53–19:40
7-day forecastNo-go window
Best window — today
08:00 – 12:00
Exposed routes risky
Weather via Open-Meteo · Updated 11:30 · Not safety advice
Shown for the trailhead — expect colder, windier conditions near the 500m high point.
Hike it right
Know before you go.
Patagonia rewards prepared hikers. A few specifics for this trail — so you, and the trail, both come back in good shape.
Permit required
Arrange your permit before you travel — checkpoints do verify, and quotas protect the trail for everyone.
Weather-window route
In high wind or heavy rain, postpone. Check the forecast above before committing — the mountain will still be there tomorrow.
Visibility matters
The views are the point of this trail. In low cloud, save it for another day and pick a forest or lake walk instead.
Safety notes
This is an interior trail with no mobile coverage and access depends on current park status and reservation logistics. Check the daily official report. Strong wind, rain, and changing weather are common.
What to pack
The Patagonia day-hike checklist — layers first, wind always.
For this trail: Wear hiking boots and carry waterproof layers, insulation, food, water, sun protection, and a headlamp. Confirm accommodation or transport connections before starting.
Patagonia can cycle through four seasons in one afternoon. Dress in layers you can add and shed fast — wind is the defining factor.
- Base layer — Synthetic or merino, never cotton — it must wick sweat and dry fast.
- Mid layer — Fleece or a light insulated jacket for breaks and summit wind-chill.
- Outer shell — Wind- and waterproof jacket. This is the one piece you should never skip.
- Hiking pants — Quick-dry. Add thermal tights underneath in shoulder season.
- Warm hat & gloves — Even in January — exposed ridges are cold when the wind picks up.
- Sun hat or cap — Patagonian UV is strong and shade is rare above the treeline.
- Spare merino socks — Wet feet end hikes. A dry pair weighs nothing.
Need the overnight kit? See the full Patagonia gear — buy & rent guide →
04Hand it to a local
Plan your Torres del Paine trip with a local expert.
Send your rough dates and what you want to do in Torres del Paine. A local planner turns it into a realistic route, flags weather-risky days, and shows clear options before you commit.
- A route ordered around the weather, bus times, border crossings, and park rules
- Places to stay, guides, and transfers picked to fit your budget
- An itemized quote you can compare — and no obligation to book
Our local plannersLocal guides & trip planners
We read and answer every request personally — no bots, no call centers.
“The planner rebuilt our week around a storm window we had no idea was coming. We summited Laguna de los Tres in perfect light.”
“Every bus, border crossing, and refugio was sequenced for us. We just followed the plan and it worked.”
“Honest advice — they talked us out of an itinerary that would have been miserable in April and built a better one.”
Common questions
Before you hit the trail.
Glaciar Grey requires a permit or park entrance fee. Check the official park website for current booking requirements before you go.