Torres del Paine W Trek

Torres del Paine W Trek Trail

Hiking the Torres del Paine W Trek is now a world-renowned, iconic trail that has become a "bucket list" must for outdoor enthusiasts.

We invite you to come and hike this 63km long Torres del Paine W Trek trail, following the figure of a W when looked down upon from above, as it passes through raw and rugged ice-carved valleys in the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Southern Chile.

Exhilaration of the Torres del Paine W Trek Hike

The Torres del Paine W Trek trail allows those who love the exhilaration of outdoor activity, to walk freely amid a stunning area of sublime natural wonder.

Hiking the narrow path along valley sides that were carved out of granite by vast-sized glaciers, through woods, crossing raging rivers, passing waterfalls, hearing the birds tweet, observing the fauna and absorbing jaw-dropping scenic views along the way, combine for a “once in a life time” wilderness experience.

Fixed Accommodation Locations Along the W Trek Trail

Participants of this activity will be able to hike, daily, between fixed accommodation locations, where they can meet with fellow hikers and enthuse, together, over a Pisco Sour, how their day has gone, before tucking into a hot dinner.

Food Included at Accommodation on the W Trek Hike

Each night a hot dinner is served in the refugio. The next morning, breakfast will be served and a box lunch handed to you for the day ahead.

The famous W-Trek in Torres del Paine is a much sought-after walking trail that people from all over the world come to experience, and the reason is rather simple.

It's because the path is in the centre of the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park in the heart of Patagonia, in Southern Chile.

The Three W Trek Valleys

Hiking the W trek trail means entering the three iconic valleys, from east to west these are the Ascensio Valley that leads up to the Torres Base; the French Valley, which is in the middle of the trail and at the end of the western leg is the Grey Glacier.

However, it is possible to do an express hike over two or three nights, or complete the traditional 4-night trek. Either way, ExperienceChile.Org will sort out all the logistics for you.

What Else is Below?

THere is a summary below along with information relating to: East to West and West to East hiking descriptions, the meal times at refugios, all about the accommodation along the trail, the fitness level you need and the seasons.

Also here we have a direct link to our specialist W Trek site for full, comprehensive info: Torres del Paine W Trek, Experience it Here

Hiking the W Trek with a Sense of Freedom

For those lucky enough to come here you can walk with and experience an incredible sense of freedom amid the raw, natural beautiful landscape of Patagonia. Here you can see tall, vertically sided, needle-like granite towers and blue-colored lagoons. Also, there are the massive, jagged mountain peaks, hanging glaciers and huge moving glaciers. This, in addition to the large lakes, waterfalls, puma’s, guanacos, eagles, condors and native forests to name some of the great attributes to this part of the world.

W Trek Extra Activities

As well as the trekking and sights, you can also kayak in a lake past icebergs, climb on a glacier, ride at fast speed in a zodiac up or down river and horse ride. If you ever wanted to “feel alive”, then a visit and walk on the W Trek will certainly give you that feeling.

Here, below, we outline all you need to know about the W Trek in Torres del Paine.

Then, if you refer to the above tabs you will find more key information about the W Trek such as route descriptions, accommodation descriptions as well as hiking times and distances.

Hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine

Taking between 4 – 5 full days of hiking, the full W Trek will enable you to see all of Torres Del Paine National Park’s best views, like the Base of the Towers, the French Valley and the Grey Lake.

Accommodation Along the W Trek Trail

For the W Trek, traditionally visitors stay in various refugios (hostels) each night for the duration of the trek, or prefer the privacy of camping, with tents supplied and pitched for you. Also, there is the option of being based at a hotel or luxury lodge.

Here at Experience Chile we provide any option you prefer and only full-board reservations along the hike, so you won’t need to buy your own food on the trek.

You can hike the Torres del Paine W Trek trail from Puerto Natales. 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.

Should I do the W Trek Self-Guided or Guided?

Where Can I Stay Before and After the W Trek?

Why is the Torres del Paine W Trek Called the W?

Should I Trek the W West to East, or East to West?

What Currency do I Need for the Torres del Paine W Trek?

Should I Stay in a Refugio, Hotel or Camp when I do the W Trek?

Torres del Paine High Season

Hiking the Torres del Paine W Trek in December, January and February, are the most crowded months of the year.

For the reason mentioned above, October, November; March and April are considered by “those in the know” to the best months to embark on the W-Trek.

Flexible Dates

If your schedule is flexible, out of all the options we recommend visiting the park in April because it is quieter and there is less wind.

All bookings will need to be made up to one year in advance in order to secure your spot. However, if you have limited availability, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we can build a custom travel itinerary that suits your exact needs.

The Torres del Paine Low Season

The winter months of Chilean Patagonia (late April to early September) present challenges to itinerary design that have to be worked around. Days are shorter and the weather is generally colder, leading to a high likelihood of snow on the roads and trails.

Guided Only

Self-guided programs are not available in the winter period, as a result and many hostels scale back their opening hours and services offered to compensate for the reduced quantity of tourists. If a Patagonian winter is still the only time you can make it, or you just love a challenge, we can still easily create your custom itinerary to work around these restrictions, but with a guide.

Torres del Paine W Trek Refugios

However, if you prefer to mingle with other travellers and are okay to share a dorm room, sleep in a bunk bed and have meals with everyone else, as well as share communal WC – shower rooms, then a refugio is what you need. Note that in one place, Cuernos, there are also private A-framed cabins that sleep up to three people (still need to use communal WC, shower room). The cabins are 50m away from the refugio, where meals are taken.

Refugios are youth hostels that are dotted along the trail and provide a fun social space to unwind and re-charge after your day on the trail. However, here at Experience Chile we only book full-board accommodation, so all of your meals will be included throughout the duration of your trip.

The refugios of Torres del Paine National Park vary in size and quality, so make sure to contact us if you’re unsure which option is right for you. If you don’t mind a bit of a squeeze and love a chat with interesting people then these are the perfect choice for you.

The W Trek refugios are located at key points along the trail so that trekkers have a sturdy, warm, shelter after several hours hiking.

Torres del Paine W Trek Private Cabins

These cabins, which are private, are the Cabins Cuernos, located 50mts up the hill from the Refugio Cuernos in the middle of the W Trek Trail.

The cabins offer a private, snug and cosy alternative to staying in the dorm rooms in the refugio or tents in the serviced camping area.

The cabins are small, A-framed huts that can sleep two comfortably and three if you have a good friend. There are real beds with bedding too.

There is a communal shower and WC unit as well as a communal outside hot tub, from where you can relax after a heavy day walking – but bring your bathing gear.

Torres del Paine W Trek Premium Camping

At some locations along the Torres del Paine W Trek trail, there is premium camping. Specifically at Chileno, Central, Frances and Cuernos, as well as on the full Circuit trek at Seron. Premium camping means that you get a superior category of tent that is pitched on a high-raise platform. The extra height lifts the tent off the colder, ground-level air, therefore contributing to an overall, more comfortable experience. Premium camping includes the tent, ground mat, sleeping bag and all meals, and are located next to the refugios. Experience Chile will be pleased to include serviced premium camping in your itinerary.

Torres del Paine W Trek Dome Camping

These domes are located at Frances, which is a spot located half-way between Refugio Cuernos and the entrance to the France Valley (also known as Camp Italiano). The domes are structures built in the shape of a dome, hence the name, and comprise plastic supported over a metallic frame. Each unit is on top of an elevated wooden base and has its own, communal en-suite shower and WC unit. The interior is spacious with a bunk bed configuration in a dormitory format.

Torres del Paine W Trek Estancias

This is hotel is located on an authentic, Patagonia working estancia. This means that on the land are sheep, horses and some cattle as well as thousands of hectares of Patagonian space.

The rooms are in the original, but renovated estancia accommodation buildings. With regard to design, this particular one is the country-style with large, private rooms with equally large en-suite bathrooms in its older sector. The restaurant offers good food and wines.
Here, you can experience life in Patagonia and also sense and feel the history of the past 100 years.

There is only one such place and it is located in the Torres del Paine zone.

Torres del Paine W Trek Luxury Camping (Glamping)

The Torres del Paine Glamping means that the accommodation is luxury level camping in either Yurt or Dome tent (two different places in different areas of the Torres del Paine zone). The exteriors maybe hard, plastic sheeting over metallic frames, but the interiors are decorated with nice fabrics, wooden furniture, good beds and bedding, and en-suite bathrooms that you would normally find in an hotel.

One has communal bar and dining area with wine, and in the other has more of an up-market restaurant with good wines. Both options are located within the Torres del Paine zone.

Torres del Paine W Trek Hotels

There is only one hotel actually located on the W Trek trail and this is at the trail head to go up to the Torres Base. This hotel, called Hotel Las Torres, and one of our partners, is a good option to mix with either refugios and / or camping, or as a one or two night rest, followed by nights at other hotels when you complete the trail. The advantage of a hotel is that you get a private room, private en-suite bathroom, usually decent restaurant and an overall more comfortable experience.

Experience Chile can arrange full W Trek itineraries with accommodation at a hotel each night.

Torres del Paine Luxury Lodges for the W Trek

Should you have the budget, namely a few thousand USD per person, for an all-inclusive 4-night experience then without doubt a stay at one of the up-market, top-end luxury lodges is where you need to be. The top-end of the market offers guests superb comfort, facilities (two of the places have excellent indoor pools), educated guides, nice transport and daily, guided W Trek excursions as well as plenty of other tours.

Here at Experience Chile we are distinguished partners of all the luxury lodges in Patagonia, whereupon we include additional, special offers should you book with us.

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W Trek Torres del Paine