Torres Del Paine Trekking
Torres del Paine is a major trekking destination. The reason for this is because the area offers unrivalled footpaths among, arguably, some of the most outstanding, dramatic, natural geographic scenery on the planet.
Suggestion
Consider asking us to reserve accommodation in Puerto Natales or El Calafate the night before you start your trek and the night of the day you end your trek. Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine is approx 2hrs on the old road or 1hr to the CONAF ADMIN (Sector Serrano) on the new road that passes by the Milodon cave.
Punta Arenas from Puerto Natales is approx 3hrs. There is a direct bus from El Calafate to TDP and also TDP to El Calafate and this transfer takes approx 6hrs.
The Main Trails
The most well-known trail is the W-Trek, followed by the Circuit Trek, which we describe below as well as on the W Trek page (see menu option), but there are others too, which we describe further below.
Fitness
In order to trek the Circuit and “W” people need to be reasonably fit, not necessarily as an athlete, but perfectly able to walk for up to 10hrs a day (in the longest sectors) over rugged terrain, uphill, over streams and rocks, through woods and sometimes in driving rain and strong winds. If you are not able to endure this environment, you should seriously consider not trekking in TDP. The routes themselves are sign-posted clearly with orange-painted poles and well-trodden paths and, in the summer season (Dec – Jan – Feb) there will be numerous other hikers about.
Warning:
Nevertheless, this is wilderness country, very remote and subject to sudden changes in weather that can make conditions tough. Weather can change in an instant in Torres del Paine. Take the right clothes for cold wind and wet weather, sturdy walking boots, extra food and water, and a torch.
Do NOT go off the trail because even if you have the slightest incident like a twisted ankle you may find that no one will find you. It is essential that all walkers have the right clothing and food and know what to do it they are caught out in extreme, unpredicted bad weather.
The Torres del Paine Circuit Trek
This is the route that goes in a circle around the back of the Central Massif of Torres del Paine, also called the “back country”, but also takes in the “W” route too (see below). You can start this route from Laguna Amarga, the Refugio Central, Refugio Norte, Hotel Las Torres, Refugio Chileno (eastern side of the W trek), or Camping Seron (the first camp of the circuit). However, be aware that the trails on the CIRCUIT trek (the back country part) are heavily degraded.
The Torres del Paine W Trek
The W route is called so because the path you walk forms a pattern in the shape of a “W”, when viewed down from above. It can be started either at the Refugio Central, Reugio Norte, Hotel Las Torres or Eco Camp; also from Refugio Chileno (Eastern end), or at Refugio Grey (Western end), or even at Refugio Paine Grande, which is almost central in the route.
The W Trek Key Places of Interest
El Sendero de Ascencio (the Torres Base Trek)
This trek will take around 8hrs return and starts from the Hotel Las Torres area. It passes through the Ascencio Valley and Nothofagus Forest and ends up at the Mirador (viewpoint) at 870m altitude. Above all, from here there is a spectacular view of the three Towers of Paine and the Condor’s Nest. Moreover, there are some amazing rock formations. However, the trek is demanding although part of it can be done on horse back up to Refugio Chileno, which is half way up, from Hotel Las Torres.
It takes 2hrs to reach the Refugio Chileno on foot, from Hotel Las Torres. However, it is then another 2hrs to reach the Torres base (the “Mirador”).
The French Valley
To get to the French Valley it is necessary to take the catamaran from Pudeto across the Lake Pehoe to Refugio Paine Grande, unless you are coming from Refugio Cuernos or Camping Frances. However, the trek From Refugio Paine Grande, or Refugio Cuernos to the entrance to the French Valley is about 2.5hrs. Whereupon, the trek to the end of the French Valley from the entrance is another 2.5hrs.
The actual valley offers stark and impressive views of Glacier Frances and the Cuernos del Paine. However, if you do this trek you need to consider the time for returning to either Refugio Paine Grande, Camping Frances, or Refugio Cuernos (and Cabins here too).
Note that Camping Frances is only 1hr from the entrance to the French Valley.
Glacier Grey
Access to Glacier Grey is either by boat from Hotel Lago Grey, or by trek from Refugio Paine Grande. However, by boat from Hotel Lago Grey the excursion lasts about 3 hrs and offers a close-up view of the glacial face. During the navigation you will be offered the chance to drink samples of Whisky or Pisco with millennia-old ice!
Most importantly, trekking to Grey from Paine Grande takes about 4hrs. The trek to the first Mirador (lookout) to see Glacier Grey, is located in the middle of the trail between Paine Grande and Grey and takes about 1.5hrs from Paine Grande after a steep uphill sector.
Most importantly, from Refugio Grey you will need to take the boat to Hotel Lago Grey or trek back to Refugio Paine Grande.
The trek from Refugio Paine Grande to Refugio Grey is moderately demanding.
Torres del Paine Trekking Food, Sleeping Bags, Ground Mattresses & Tent Rental
Food
You will need to pay for food separately when you are at the refugios unless you have booked full board in advance (and most people do so). The cost for meals varies from refugio to refugio. Full board means: hot dinner, breakfast and box lunch to go (in that order).
Sleeping Bag, Tent and Ground Mattress
All refugios offer either a sleeping bag or bedding. The serviced camping sites offer sleeping-bag rental, when available, and in most cases a soft ground sheet or mattress.
