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If you regularly go on long hikes up hills and across varied terrains, consider booking one of the available walking breaks in Chile. The South American country is a stunning destination, and exploring on two feet is the best way to explore it. There are lots of different places you can visit in the nation, but perhaps one of the best to stretch your legs and experience some moderate to sometimes challenging hiking conditions is the Torres del Paine Circuit. Located in the Torres del Paine National Park, it is best to give yourself a week to complete it so you can make the most of the scenery and native flora and fauna. The Torres del Paine National Park does have 97 km of roads that allow you to explore by car, but if you are a walking enthusiast and want to get as close as possible to Chile's unique mix of scenery, vegetation and animals, you should make your way on your own two feet instead. As a keen hiker you will understand the importance of coming at the right time of the year. November to April is the best period to book your trekking getaway for, while January to March is Chile's summer. Visit before January, and you run the risk of snow underfoot. While this is not a problem, it will make your treks a lot harder, but you might actually enjoy this extra challenge. Should you decide to go with summer, the temperatures can be as low as 5 degrees C and as high as 20 degrees C. It is easy to forget that Chile is a very cold country, and so you will need to pack clothes that accommodate this climate range. The weather can quickly shift from hot to cold as a result of the ice fields, so bring lots of different layers to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. Punta Arenas is the largest town closest to the national park and it is more than likely your hiking holiday will begin here. Once you have made the journey into the reserve, you can look forward to days filled with hiking. Most treks will take around four to five hours, although be prepared that you might need to hike for as many as eight hours, depending on your schedule and the weather. Starting on the shores of Laguna Azul, you will be introduced to Torres del Paine by soaking up the sight of beech forests, flower-filled meadows and mountains. Your hike will soon turn into an uphill ascent, but rest assured your efforts will be rewarded by the beautiful views you can enjoy once you get to your intended destination - Paso John Gardner. Standing at 1,210 m, this is the highest point of the circuit, and as you look across at the ground you have covered, you will no doubt spot the dazzling Glacier Dickson. Trekking onwards, you will pass the Paine Grande mountain and one of the many pretty lakes the national park is home to - Nordenskjold. It's a fairly steep walk down to the shore of the lake, but if you are a regular hill walker you hopefully won't feel the strain too much. The final part of the Torres del Paine Circuit will involve you hiking to the small lake at the base of the three towers, which are huge granite monoliths that jut upwards dramatically against the clear Chilean sky. If you are a hill-walking enthusiast and want to try your hand at tackling some trails in a completely different place, look no further than walking breaks in Chile . Pura Aventura has a number of holidays you can book in the country, including hiking along the Torres del Paine Circuit.
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