Torres del Paine National Park keeps O Circuit closed until 31 October

Torres del Paine National Park keeps its O Circuit closed until 31 October 2026, giving visitors in Puerto Natales a clear access restriction to check before travelling to Chile. The park authority says reopening the Paine Massif route will depend on weather and safety conditions at the time.

O Circuit closure continues until 31 October 2026

CONAF, Chile's national forestry authority, lists the O Circuit under its formal name, the Paine Massif circuit, as closed from May initially until 31 October 2026. The notice was published on the authority's current park information page, which says any alteration will be announced through official CONAF channels.

The official ticketing platform repeats the closure date and adds that reopening will follow an assessment of existing weather and safety conditions. That means 1 November 2026 is the earliest possible planning point, rather than a confirmed reopening date. The closure concerns the mountain loop and its back sections, so an itinerary depending on the complete O route cannot be treated as available before the stated end date. CONAF's closure notice names both the route and the date, while the official ticketing information sets out the weather and safety condition.

The park's glacier-shaped landscape frames the access change

The route sits within a protected landscape created by glacial movement. CONAF records that the park was established on 13 May 1959 and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Its Paine mountain range is an independent system of the Patagonian Andes, with sedimentary rock at higher levels and granite at the base.

The authority describes seventeen ecosystems within the park and gives the highest elevation of the Paine massif as 3,050 metres (10,007 ft). The O Circuit closure therefore affects a route through a varied protected area rather than a single viewpoint. For travellers, the date matters because the same mountain environment that defines the circuit also makes the reopening dependent on an on-site safety assessment.

Routes and controls remain distinct across the park

The current CONAF information lists several other trails separately from the closed northern sections. These include routes linking Paine Grande, Italiano, the French Valley, Los Cuernos, the Las Torres sector and Grey, while the Seron-Dickson, Dickson-Los Perros, Los Perros-Paso and Paso-Grey sections are listed as closed in winter conditions.

The park's rules require visitors to remain on authorised trails and to follow guardaparque instructions. Walking outside daylight hours is prohibited, and the mountain area has limited basic facilities compared with the vehicle-access roads. These conditions make the O Circuit notice relevant even for travellers considering a shorter route, because a partial plan cannot automatically replace the closed loop.

Visiting Torres del Paine National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The O Circuit is closed until 31 October 2026. Reopening after that date is subject to CONAF's assessment of weather and safety conditions.
• The closure applies to the Paine Massif route and its northern mountain sections. Other trails are listed separately by CONAF, so the intended route must be checked before departure.
• The park is in Chile's Magallanes region, with access from Puerto Natales by the Y-290 road or by routes connecting Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales with the park.
• The landscape includes steep and demanding mountain trails, glacial terrain, snow and exposed sections. The Base Torres route includes a glacial moraine, while several mountain sections are marked as difficult in winter.
• The official language is Spanish and the national currency is the Chilean peso.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Torres del Paine National Park

When does the O Circuit reopen at Torres del Paine National Park?

The circuit remains closed until 31 October 2026. Reopening from 1 November 2026 is possible but depends on a weather and safety assessment.

What has changed at Torres del Paine National Park?

The current access notice keeps the Paine Massif, or O Circuit, closed through 31 October 2026. The closure date may be changed through official CONAF channels.

Where is Torres del Paine National Park and how do you get there?

The park is in Chile's Magallanes region, with Puerto Natales serving as a reference town. Access includes the Y-290 road and routes connecting Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales with the park.