Places / Torres del Paine
UV index at Torres del Paine, Chile
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine National Park sits in Chilean Patagonia at about 51° south. The W Trek and O Circuit climb from lakeside trailheads near 150 metres (490 ft) up to viewpoints like the base of the Torres at around 900 metres (2,953 ft), past glaciers and glacial lakes.
Elevation, glaciers and your real UV
The forecast covers the general park area. Using the WHO’s rule of thumb of about 10% to 12% more UV per 1,000 metres of elevation:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Lago Pehoé (baseline) | about 150 m (490 ft) | Baseline |
| Mirador Base Torres | about 900 m (2,953 ft) | about 8% to 9% more UV |
| French Valley viewpoint | about 1,000 m (3,281 ft) | about 9% to 10% more UV |
Southern Patagonia also sits under a thinner part of the ozone layer for stretches of spring, and glacier ice reflects UV the same way snow does — see UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds for how that adds up.
When UV is strongest here
UV peaks during the Southern Hemisphere summer, December through February, when trekking season is in full swing. Spring (September to November) can see periodic ozone thinning over the region, which pushes UV higher than the date alone would suggest.
On the trail
The W Trek and O Circuit spend long stretches on open, treeless terrain with famously strong Patagonian wind, which cools you down without cutting the UV at all.
Sun protection tips for Torres del Paine
- Reapply sunscreen more often than feels necessary — the wind and cool air both mask sun exposure.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses; wind and glacier glare both irritate eyes on exposed ridgelines.
- A wind-resistant hat with a chin strap holds up better here than a normal cap.
- Cover exposed skin near glacial lakes and ice, which reflect UV upward like snow does.
Similar places
Related guides
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 22, 2026.