To the base of the Torres del Paine travel guide

From Refugio Laguna Amarga, this six-hour route follows the road west to Hostería Las Torres (1½ hours), before climbing along the western side of the Río Ascensio via Refugio Chileno (two hours) and Campamento Chileno to Campamento Las Torres (two hours), close to the base of the Torres del Paine (be careful when crossing the suspension bridge over the Río Ascensio near Hostería Las Torres, as the path is poorly marked and you can end up on the wrong side of the ravine). The path alongside the Río Ascensio is well marked, and the Campamento Las Torres is in an attractive wood (no refugio). A further 30 minutes up the morraine takes you to a lake at the base of the towers themselves; they seem so close that you almost feel you could touch them. To see the Torres lit by sunrise (spectacular but you must have good weather), it’s well worth carrying your camping gear up to Campamento Torres and spending the night. One hour beyond Campamento Torres is Campamento Japonés, another good campsite.