In Torres del Paine, the circular route around the massif has been closed until the end of October

Chile's national forestry corporation CONAF has announced that the popular La O Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park will remain closed to hikers until October 31, 2026. The closure of the northern sections of the route was due to winter mountain conditions and snow cover.

The ban only applies to the full circuit around the Paine massif, so hikers will not be able to complete a continuous track. At the same time, other parts of the park continue to welcome visitors as separate routes with their own requirements for movement and guide accompaniment. In particular, the CONAF list indicates open sections of the classic W trail: the section between Paine Grande and the administration, the path from the Italiano campsite to the Britannico viewpoint, as well as the climb to Base Torres.

The park administration emphasizes that the date of October 31 does not mean the automatic resumption of traffic on November 1. CONAF will report any changes to the status of the route through its own official channels, so travelers are advised to check the status of each section in advance before leaving Puerto Natales.