O Circuit: Campsite Paso - Grey Refuge

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Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

(1) You are not allowed to smoke, light fires or use any types of stoves along the trail, only at designated places in official campsites. (2) Grey Refuge has a small market, a restaurant, nice bathrooms with hot showers and a kitchen for cooking (sinks and tables, bring your own stove and pots). You can only cook inside the kitchen. There is also the possibility to rent tents and other camping gear or stay in beds inside the refuge. Reservations for campsite or refuge should be made in advance, see: parquetorresdelpaine.cl/es/…

This description considers the trail to be the fifth section of the Macizo Circuit ("O" Circuit), starting at Paso Campsite. However, the trail can be done both ways and would be a nice option as a day hike from Grey Refuge.

The trail is well marked and easy to follow, heading south/southeast all the way from Paso Campsite until Grey Refuge. You'll always be hiking along the east side of Glacier Grey. From Paso Campsite, the trail starts going up for about 100m, until you reach a viewpoint of Glacier Grey. From there, the trail goes through open scrub for approximately 2.5km. The open vegetation makes this section very exposed to the strong winds coming from the Southern Ice Field, so be careful while you hike. For 1.4km after the viewpoint, the trail will go downhill until it reaches a suspended bridge. Then, there is a section of about 500m of steep uphill, after which the trail enters the forest (where it is less windy) and starts going back down through steep inclines. Around the 3km mark, there is an approximately 300m long side trail that takes you northwest to another viewpoint of the glacier (a sign marks this trail). After this, the main trail will take you to a second suspended bridge. At the 5km mark, you'll cross the third and last suspended bridge of the trail. About 600m after the bridge, inclination decreases considerably and the trail continues easily through the forest for 2km until it reaches Grey Refuge. About 100m before the refuge, you can follow the sign to take another side trail to a viewpoint of Glacier Grey where you can see the glacier from the front. If you are staying at Grey Refuge, don't forget to check in.

In the more open areas, you'll find a scrub composed mainly by Ñirre, Calafate, Escalonia and Discaria shrubs. During summer, yellow or white orchids from the Chlorea and Gavilea genus are commonly seen, as well as the Chilean Firebush's beautiful red flowers. The forests are mostly dominated by Lenga and Coigue trees. Commonly seen birds are the Southern House Wrens, Thorn-tailed Rayaditos, Black-chinned Siskins, Patagonian Sierra Finches, Rufous-Collared Sparrows, White-crested Elaenias and Austral Thrushes. Look for White-throated Treerunners, Chilean Flickers, Magellanic and Striped Woodpackers in the forest canopy. Pay attention to the sky to spot Andean Condors or Black-chested Buzzard Eagles flying up high. Around the refuge it is very common to see the Southern Crested and Chimango Caracaras looking for a nice treat left unattended.