The Torres del Paine National Park is home to some of the world's most stunning landscapes. Within this park, on the Río Paine, thunders the magnificent Salto Grande waterfall.

Downstream from Lake Nordenskjöld and upstream from Lake Pehoé, this sumptuous waterfall in Chilean Patagonia stands 65 meters high. Fed by glacial meltwater, it releases an extraordinarily powerful flow of water.

Heading to this impressive cascade, one of the must-see attractions of Torres del Paine National Park.

Salto Grande Today

Salto Grande is a waterfall located within Torres del Paine National Park, in southern Chile. It was formed through the natural connection between Lake Nordenskjöld and Lake Pehoé.

Salto Grande is relatively easy to reach. You'll take a scenic route surrounded by lakes, which leads to Pudeto. From there, a short hike takes you to Salto Grande waterfall, the most spectacular in Torres del Paine Park.

This impressive waterfall, with its brilliant blue hue, photographs beautifully. You'll also be struck by the deafening roar it produces. White mist rises from the glacial water between the rocks.

You can continue your walk to the Nordenskjöld viewpoint, which overlooks the Paine massif. The color contrasts between the lush landscape, turquoise waters, snow-capped peaks, and red shrubs are striking.

Salto Grande's Characteristics

On the Río Paine, the rushing waters of the vast Lake Nordenskjöld pour toward Lake Pehoé. It is here that Salto Grande waterfall is formed, draining enormous quantities of water. Along the watercourse and in its surroundings lives a wide diversity of animal species, among them guanacos (wild llamas).

The wind blows so fiercely here that it's nearly impossible to stand upright, yet the panorama remains magnificent. The extremely fertile hillsides bordering the waterfall are carpeted with unique wildflowers.

Salto Grande, an Essential Patagonian Attraction

Salto Grande waterfall is the main attraction of Torres del Paine National Park (Patagonia), in southern Chile. Salto Grande, meaning "Great Waterfall", is the largest waterfall in the park. Its water comes from glaciers, which explains its milky sky-blue color.

The Salto Grande trail, located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, is one of the park's most accessible routes. It leads you directly to the famous granite towers of Torres del Paine.

The trail begins after a walk past the Nordenskjöld and Sarmiento viewpoints. It's a route that doesn't involve much elevation gain and is quite easy to complete. At the beginning, the entire trail is relatively flat, with only a slight climb toward the end.

Once you reach the ridge, you'll find yourself facing the enchanting Salto Grande waterfall. The trail continues along the pristine shores of Nordenskjöld, leading to the Horns viewpoint. From there, you can see the "cuernos de Torres del Paine".

By Bus

From Puerto Natales, take a local bus to Torres del Paine National Park. The bus will drop you at the Pudeto outpost. From there, take a short hike toward Salto Grande waterfall (duration: 2.5 hours).