The O Circuit in Torres del Paine
The O Circuit goes all the way around the Paine massif. It uses the W Trek sights and adds the quieter northern and western side of the park, with the Serón, Coirón, Los Perros and Paso stages. The normal frame is 8 to 10 days. That is a planning range, and the weather and the status of the trail decide the real timing.
The most important point comes first: the circuit has a season and it can be closed. In 2026 the closed season began in May, and a reopening depends on a weather and safety assessment, not on a fixed date. A booked bed is not the same as an open trail. Do not assume that the circuit starts on 1 November. Confirm the current status before you pay for nights or transport.
O Circuit and trek tours
Guided treks, hikes on the main sections and boat trips, with live prices and availability.
O Circuit route and direction
The stages and the way they are walked.
The northern stage sequence runs from Laguna Amarga through Serón, Coirón and Dickson to Los Perros, then over Paso to Grey. These stages are one-way. Do not plan to walk the loop in the opposite direction. The southern part is the W: Grey, the Valle del Francés and Base Las Torres.
Between Grey and Paso the trail has 2 hanging bridges more than 20 m above the ground. Rangers register walkers both on arrival and on leaving at Paso and Los Perros.
O Circuit season and booking
What decides whether you can walk it.
The closed season
The circuit is closed in the colder months. The park decides on a reopening after a weather and safety check. A start in November is not guaranteed, so treat every date as provisional.
Best time to visit →Reserve every night
As on the W, mountain nights on the O are reserved in advance, and the confirmations are needed at entry. Open lodgings do not mean open trails, so a booking does not release the route.
Refugios and camping →Guide rules
The winter regulation requires a guide in places. Which rule applies depends on your dates, so check it before you book.
Park ticket
You also need a park ticket. A multi-day pass for 2 to 10 consecutive days exists since 1 May 2026 and covers the normal length of the loop.
Entrance fee →O Circuit and W Trek compared
The two main multi-day routes.
| W Trek | O Circuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 3 to 5 | 8 to 10 |
| Sights | Grey, Valle del Francés, Base Las Torres | The W sights plus Serón, Coirón, Los Perros and Paso |
| Reserved nights | Required | Required |
| Season | Winter rules and a possible midwinter closure | Closed in the colder months; reopening is not automatic |
| Direction | Section by section | Northern stages one-way |
For most hikers with five days or fewer, the W Trek is the realistic choice. The O suits those with at least a week and a flexible end date.
Weather and safety on the loop
Take the conditions seriously.
Extreme weather
In November 2025 extreme weather in the Paine massif led to deaths and a search and rescue operation, and the trail was closed. It is a reminder that the weather on the northern side can turn hard. Do not let a schedule push you over Paso in bad conditions.
Weather →Registration
Report your arrival at every ranger post. At Paso and Los Perros you also report when you continue.
Rules in the park
Sleep only at designated campsites, use no open fire, do not swim in lakes or rivers and do not fly drones. Cookers are allowed only in the cooking areas.
Rescue time
There is no fixed rescue time in this remote terrain. Seasonal staff and distance limit what can be done quickly.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that fit around a long trek.
O Circuit: frequently asked questions
How long is the O Circuit?
The normal frame is 8 to 10 days. Weather and trail status can change the timing.
When does the O Circuit open?
There is no automatic opening date. It reopens after a weather and safety assessment, and it should not be assumed for November. Check the status before you book.
Can I walk the O Circuit in either direction?
The northern stages from Laguna Amarga to Paso and Grey are one-way. Plan the loop in that direction.
Do I need to reserve the nights?
Yes. Mountain nights are reserved in advance, and you also register with the rangers. A reservation alone does not mean the trail is open.
Is the O Circuit harder than the W Trek?
It is longer and more remote. It adds the Paso section with its hanging bridges, and the weather there can be severe.