The
Torres del Paine Circuit
will not open to self-guided hikers before the end of the year, according to Chile's national forestry authority CONAF. Only certified guides (Chilean Standard No. 2985) working for a SERNATUR-registered tour operator (or themselves registered) and groups led by them will be permitted to hike between Camp Serón and Refugio Grey.
Each guided
Torres del Paine tour must be pre-authorized by CONAF and comply with strict rules regarding group size, itinerary, and safety planning. Access can still be denied on the day due to weather or safety concerns.
During the closure, Conaf, in conjunction with park rangers, will continue to monitor and improve safety protocols in the park. The authority has not confirmed whether the Circuit will reopen to self-guided hikers in January, stating that that will depend on safety assessments closer to the end of the year.
The decision comes after park rangers ended industrial action earlier this month, following a powerful storm in November that led to fatalities, emergency evacuations and closure of the Circuit.
Other areas of Torres del Paine National Park remain open, including the popular W Trek, which continues to operate normally and is expected to absorb much of the redirected visitor demand during December.