The company is currently in talks to raise funds to complete the segment connecting the Central sector with the Chileno Sector, a crucial part of the trail that leads to the Base Torres Viewpoint in Torres del Paine.
December 30, 2024 – Over the past few years, the company Las Torres Patagonia and Chile’s National Forestry Service (CONAF) have implemented a new sustainable trail to the Base Torres Viewpoint, an iconic destination in Torres del Paine National Park. The project, which is being executed under a public-private partnership, is currently in its final stages, with the company preparing to achieve one of the last milestones: two bridges that cross the Ascencio River. The cost of this new infrastructure is estimated to be one billion Chilean pesos (approximately US$1 million).
The Las Torres Base viewpoint, where visitors can admire the formidable granite towers that give the national park its name, receives hundreds of visitors every year. According to data from the Torres del Paine Hotel and Tourist Services Association, in 2023 the park welcomed 220,920 Chilean and international tourists, and for most of them the lookout was one of the top destinations during their visit.
The trail to the Las Torres Base viewpoint is used by the vast majority of tourists visiting the region, from those on day trips from Puerto Natales to guests staying in one of the numerous hotels in the area. It is a critical tourism resource in Torres del Paine and an essential part of the experience for the thousands of tourists who come here each year
Over recent decades, the heavy human traffic on the original inadequately designed trail, coupled with Patagonia’s extreme weather, have deteriorated what is one of the leading trekking routes in Torres del Paine National Park. Concerned about this situation, Las Torres Patagonia and CONAF led a multi-institutional effort to develop a new, more sustainable trail.
Work on the trail connecting the Central sector with the Chileno Mountain Hostel began in February 2022 and is now in its final stages. Unlike the previous route, the new trail runs along the bank of the Ascencio River, offering visitors a panoramic view of the valley, encircled by forests and accompanied by the sound of meltwater flowing down from the Paine Massif.
Collaboration has been a key aspect of the project, with several Chilean and international organizations involved. So says Las Torres Patagonia CEO Josian Yaksic, who comments, “This initiative has enabled different entities to work together. The trail work is the manifestation of a public-private partnership that is expressed in the day to day coordination with park rangers and in the ongoing conversations with the CONAF regional office, which have enhanced the development and management of this trail. We have also received valuable support from ConservationVIP and the Earth Bound Project, which have helped us with the project design and logistics. Trails are extremely important for the visitor experience and for safeguarding the park environment, and that is why we have invested heavily in improving them.”
Another pillar of the project is the concept of trail psychology. John Ojeda, Las Torres Patagonia’s Conservation, Sustainability and Safety Manager, defines it as “understanding how people approach a journey. People will choose to venture along shorter routes or to rest in places without rest stops, which may affect their trail experience. Trail design aims to ensure the easy flow of visitors, while minimizing their impact on the surrounding natural environment. Understanding the psychology behind trail design allows us to deliver a more inclusive and sustainable experience in this incredible destination.”
The final stage of the new trail, slated for completion in 2025, is focused on the installation of two bridges across the Ascencio River. These structures will have to be built to withstand the climatic conditions in the park and will cost an estimated one billion Chilean pesos.
The type of structure to be used for the construction of these 20- to 30-meter long bridges is currently being decided, with one option being a suspension bridge and the other, a rigid structure. As Ojeda explains, several variables are being considered to ensure that the structure can handle the local climate and offer a safe and reliable crossing for visitors.
Las Torres Patagonia is currently in talks with various entities to secure the financing required for this final stage of the project, supporting the efforts of CONAF within the national park. Ultimately, this initiative will provide visitors with a new, more sustainable trail, which in turn will further the development of sustainable tourism in our country.