Torres del Paine is home to some of the world’s most classic trekking routes. The W Trek and the Paine Circuit are popular routes. It is a national park encompassing mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers in southern Chilean Patagonia. The Cordillera del Paine is the centerpiece of the park. It lies in a transition area between the Magellanic subpolar forests and the Patagonian Steppes. This mountainous region dates to at least twelve million years. Sedimentary rock and magma met and was thrust high into the air. The best time to visit the park is between November and April, which coincide with spring and summer in the southern hemisphere. The park draws in approximately 100,000 visitors each year who visit the Paine Towers, Los Cuernos, French Valley and Grey Glacier.
credit: lisa_aw