From the Torres Base and end at Refugio Grey
The W Trek is Patagonia’s most famous trek, and if walking east to west you will begin at Hotel Las Torres, Refugio Las Torres, Refugio Chileno, or Refugio Grey. Most importantly, you will traverse the three valleys that give the trek its name, before finishing your trek at Refugio Grey. Moreover, each valley possesses its’ very own set of natural wonders.
Should I trek the W Trek on My Own?
It is not advisable to trek either the full circuit, or W Trek on your own. The reason is twofold. One, should you twist an ankle or get injured in any way, you may be waiting an awfully long time until help arrives. Two, you never know who else is around, who could, if given the opportunity, do harm to you in the case that you are a single woman, for example
The Three Main Sectors of the Torres del Paine W Trek
Eastern End (is The Estancia Sector, or the Las Torres End)
The Ascencio Valley – will take you right up to the base of the towers that you will see in every photo of the W Trek. To get to the base of the towers you’ll begin from Refugio Central, or Refugio Torre Norte, or the ECO Camp or Hotel Las Torres, or even from the Welcome Centre, and hike up hill to the Refugio Chileno, followed by a demanding 800m ascent until you arrive to the Torres Base.
Central Part (is the Cuernos Sector)
In the central part is the French Valley. Consequently, this is the middle, or central section of the hike and prominently features the stunning Glacier Francés, which you will be able to see up-close.
Western End (is the Grey Sector)
The final section of the trek runs parallel to Lago Grey (the Grey lake). This a world-famous geological phenomenon dominated by Glacier Grey (the Grey Glacier).
NOTE:
When you end this trek at Refugio Grey, you have the option to either take the Navigation Grey across the lake to Hotel Grey. One benefit of doing this is that you will get an up-close view of Glacier Grey. Alternatively, you can hike back to Refugio Paine Grande and take the catamaran across Pehoe lake to Pudeto and then continue to wherever you need to get to.
We will arrange all that you need, just ask.
From the Eastern, Estancia End to the Torres Base
Trail Head to Refugio Chileno
This First Sector can be Broken into Two Smaller Sectors
Sector 1 - Trail Head to the Ascencio Valley Entrance
Operated: Between September to end of April
- Start: The Trail Head is considered to be from any of these locations:
- Eco Camp • Hotel Las Torres • Refugio Torre Central • Refugio Torre Norte • The Torres del Paine Welcome Centre.
- End: Refugio Chileno
- Trek time from the trail head to Refugio Chileno to the Torres Base and back Refugio
- Chileno is around 6hrs to 6.5hrs, plus the time spent at Torres Base.
- Return Distance: 6km
- Difficulty: Medium to high. The final one-hour sector up to the Torres Base will require hiking up steep parts on a very narrow path whereupon in places you will need to navigate your way up and over large boulders as well.
- Experience Required: You don’t need any experience to embark on this trek, but you need to be physically fit and used to long walks.
- Altitude Gain: 870m (at the Torres Base lookout)
Trail Description
Once you pass Hotel Las Torres the trail will start an incline up to the entrance of the Ascencio Valley. It is a constant uphill walk for about 1hr. When you get to the entrance to the valley the path narrows, and bends left. At this point the wind can be VERY STRONG, so be careful. This is because the wind is rushing down from the colder lagoon and glaciers through the valley. The altitude at the valley entrance is 135m.
From this point the trail starts to descend and the hike will take about another hour until you arrive to Refugio Chileno.
Refugio Chileno is at an altitude of 500m.
Sector 2 - Refugio Chileno to the Torres Base
Operated: Between September to end of April
- Start: Refugio Chileno
- End: Refugio Chileno
- Trek Time: 4 hours.
- Distance: 8km return
- Difficulty: Difficult.
- Experience Required: You don’t need any experience to embark on this trek, but you need to be physically fit and used to long walks.
- Altitude: 500m at Refugio Chileno
- Altitude Gain: Highest Point 870m
Trail Description
This will take about 1 hour from Refugio Chileno and covers the sector up to where the moraine sector starts. This part is only steep in short sections. During this sector of the hike, you will walk over two river crossings and through a dense beech-tree forest with trees more than 100 years old.
The Moraine Sector
From the point where the moraine sector begins, the trek will take approximately one hour, and it involves climbing up, over and in-between the left-over glacial moraine’s large boulders. It is easy to know where the moraine sector is because the ground ahead and to your right is covered in grey boulders and stones all on a steep slope. To the left of the scree is the path that leads up to the destination – the towers.
However, this is the most difficult portion of the trek and walking poles can come in handy during the steepest and windiest parts.
As you approach the summit you will be created by the spectacular view of the three, vertically-side, needle towers of Torres del Paine. At the foot of the three towers is the lagoon. Once here you will have accomplished reaching one of the Park’s iconic sights and as you stare at the towers consider for a moment the climbers that climb the vertical sides!
After a suitable rest, and possible lunch break you will return to Refugio Chileno back along the exact same path you took to get here. Some people will go back to Refugio Chileno for a night, others will pass the refugio and head on to Cuernos or Frances. See below.
Refugio Chileno to Cuernos or Frances
Operated: Between September to end of April
- Start: Refugio Chileno
- End: Cabañas Cuernos, Refugio Cuernos or Camping Frances.
- Trek Time: 5.5 hours to Cuernos and 7 hrs to Frances.
- Distance:
- To Refugio and Cabins Cuernos: 11km
- To Camping and Domos Frances: 14.5km
- Difficulty: Medium.
- Experience Required: None.
- Altitude Gain: 250m
- Altitude at Highest Point: 250m
Trail Description
This trek passes alongside the Nordenskjold Lake, which will be on your left. Therefore, you will get to see its dazzling blue water whilst glancing at the stunning granite peaks of Los Cuernos.
The hike has some hills to climb, but you will be met with spectacular views each time you climb one. Before you get to Refugio/Cabanas Cuernos you will pass through a nice beech-tree wood, which will be a clue that your destination is close.
Cuernos or Frances to Refugio Paine Grande
Operated: Between September to end of April
- Start: Cabañas or Refugio Cuernos. Alternatively, you can begin from Camping and Domos Frances.
- End: Refugio Paine Grande
- Trek Time:
- Direct trek from Frances sector to Paine Grande: 3hrs
- Via the French Valley: 9hrs
- From Refugio or Cabañas Cuernos to the entrance to the French Valley: 2.5hrs
- From Camping Frances to the entrance of the French Valley: 0.5hrs
- From the entrance to the French Valley to the end: 2.5hrs, therefore 5hr return trip.
- From the entrance to the French Valley to Refugio Paine Grande: 2.5hrs
- Direct trek from Cabañas Cuernos to Paine Grande: 5hrs
- Distance:
- From Frances sector to Paine Grande: 9.5km
- Via the French Valley: 20.5km
- Direct trek from Cabañas Cuernos to Paine Grande: 11.6km
- Via the French Valley: 22.6km
- Difficulty: Medium to high
- Experience Required: None.
- Altitude at Highest Point: 762m (at Camp Britanico)
Trail Description
You start from Los Cuernos, and after about an hour you will pass by Camping Frances, unless of course you are starting from Camping Frances.
Following this, you will arrive at the un-serviced camping ground called Camp Italiano, which is situated at the entrance to the French Valley. Consequently, because it is un-serviced, there are no facilities here. It is just a place to pitch your own tent.
The French Valley is a steady uphill trail. Upon reaching Camp Britanico (a camp site for professional climbers who bring all their own gear and have permission to camp here), which is towards the end of the valley, you will have reached an altitude of around 700m.
Above all, if the sky is clear, the views in this area are amazing, especially around this campsite.
For the return trek you need to backtrack until you reach Camp Italiano. From this point, you will head towards the right if you are you are going to Refugio Paine Grande. Therefore, you will travel across a footbridge over the Frances River and then the trail levels out until you reach Refugio Paine Grande. The trek time from the entrance to the French Valley to Camp Britanico is around 2.5hrs, therefore, to go to the end of the valley and back will take around 5hrs. From the Camp Italiano (entrance to the French Valley) the trek time to Paine Grande is around 2.5hrs.
The journey from Camp Italiano to Paine Grande takes around two and a half hours.
Refugio Paine Grande to Refugio Grey
Operated: Between September to end of April
- Start: Refugio Paine Grande
- End: At Refugio Grey
- Trek Time: 4 hours
- Distance: 11km
- Difficulty: Medium.
- Experience Required: None.
- Altitude Gain at Highest Point: 388m
Trail Description
You’ll begin your trek from Paine Grande, where the trail will lead you up to a peak which reaches an altitude of 485m. Consequently, this climb is gradual initially, however, it will become steeper the closer to get to the peak.
However, after this, you will walk through a wooded area on relatively flat terrain until you get to a lookout from where you will have a full view of Grey Lake where you will see glacial icebergs and the breath-taking Glacier Grey in the distance.
From the lookout, as you head down towards Grey Lake in parts the path is narrow and steep, however, the path alongside the lake is largely level. If you are lucky you may even hear the Magellan Woodpecker!
If you arrive at Refugio Grey early-on you can take the boat to Hotel Grey on the same day. Additional options include embarking on an ice hike on Glacier Grey and/or kayaking. Both options can be pre-booked through us.
