Patagonia Adventure: Hiking at the End of the World

Patagonia sits at the southern tip of South America, shared between Argentina and Chile, and it looks like a landscape from another planet. Granite towers rise 2,800 metres from the Patagonian steppe, glaciers calve thunderously into turquoise lakes, and the wind blows hard enough to knock you sideways on an exposed ridge.

The Two Iconic Treks

The W Trek in Torres del Paine (Chile) takes 4–5 days and covers the park’s highlights: the Torres base, the French Valley, and the Grey Glacier. It can be done with refugio (mountain hut) accommodation, so you don’t need to carry a tent.

The Huemul Circuit near El Chaltén (Argentina) is harder and more remote — 4 days, a river crossing, and a glacier traverse — but rewards with near-total solitude and views of Cerro Fitz Roy.

Watch: Patagonia Trekking — W Trek Complete Guide

Key Logistics

• Permits: Torres del Paine requires camping and trekking permits, bookable online months in advance.
• Base towns: Puerto Natales (Chile) for Torres del Paine; El Chaltén (Argentina) for Fitz Roy.
• Season: November–March. Outside this window, trails may be closed due to extreme conditions.
• Gear: Waterproof everything. Weather changes in minutes — sun, wind, rain, and hail in a single afternoon.

Budget

Patagonia isn’t cheap but it doesn’t have to be expensive either. El Chaltén is free to enter and has free wild camping. The W Trek with refugio accommodation costs $400–600 total. Camping the W costs $80–150. Self-catering in Puerto Natales for a few days before and after cuts costs significantly.

Heading further afield? Read our solo travel safety guide — Patagonia is remote enough that preparation matters. Or check the full 2025 destination list.