Driving in the Chilean part of Patagonia is a unique experience. Chile's most beautiful national park – Torres del Paine – is about 100 km (62 miles) north of Puerto Natales. On one side, granite towers are a rock climber's delight, and on the other the Cuernos mountains are impressive in their beauty. If you like to hike, you can take hiking trails that go through forests and past hills, waterfalls and lakes. The trails range from short enough to do in a few hours to those that take days. Although the best views require the most effort to get to, you can also see many of the highlights traveling by car.
To round out the scenery, Torres del Paine National Park has impressive milky-blue lakes that get their color from the minerals in the mountains. If you're coming from El Calafate or only have a few hours to spend, you should focus on short walks to the foot of the granite towers or join a tour that will take you to attractions such as the photogenic view of the massif from Lake Pehoé and the Grey Glacier. You should take clothes that will protect you in case of rain and remember that the terrain is uneven. Don't forget to wear boots or walking shoes and take a windbreaker: the weather can change rapidly.