Refugio Grey to the Torres Base
The W Trek is Patagonia’s most famous trek, where you can traverse the three valleys that the trail enters, which, in turn creates a W form and when viewed from above tis W shape is what gives the trek its name.
The W Trek West to East Start and End
The trek can start at either the Western end, therefore at Refugio Grey, or even at Refugio Paine Grande and end at the Eastern sector meaning Refugio Chileno, Hotel Las Torres, Refugios Central or Norte or even ECO Camp.
On the other hand, it can be walked in reverse, starting at the Eastern end at any of the accommodation establishments mentioned above and then end at the Western sector at Paine Grande or Grey.
Here, we will describe the trek starting from Refugio Grey and walking EAST towards the Torres Base.
ALSO, for those who are coming from the full circuit trek, you will join the W Trek at Refugio Grey.
The Three Main Sectors of the Torres del Paine W Trek
Western End (is the Grey Sector)
The first 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:
You can begin this trek from Refugio Grey if you are on the full-circuit trek from Los Perros.
Or if you have come over on the Navigation Grey boat from Hotel Grey.
Or, in the case that you have travelled from Refugio Paine Grande to Refugio Grey the previous day.
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’ll be able to see up-close.
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’ll see in every photo of the W Trek. To get to the base of the towers you’ll begin from Refugio Chileno followed by a demanding 800m ascent until you arrive to the Torres Base. The return trip will involve trekking down to Hosteria Las Torres, Refugio Torre Norte, Refugio Torre of Central, Eco Camp and the welcome centre.
Torres del Paine W Trek Trail Description
Trek from Refugio Grey to Refugio Paine Grande
Operated: Between September to the end of April
- Start: Refugio Grey
- End: Refugio Paine Grande
- Trek Time: 4 hours
- Distance: 11km
- Difficulty: Medium.
- Experience Required: None.
- Altitude Gain at Highest Point: 388m
Trail Description
When beginning from Refugio Grey, the path is flat for the first hour and you’ll pass through a wood, cross over some small streams and then begin going up a slight slope.
There will be many opportunities to see Grey Lake. However, on the uphill portion, you can pause and look back on the path you have travelled, whilst catching a glimpse of the spectacular Glacier Grey in the distance. The entire trek from Refugio Grey is said to take around 3.5 hours, but some people take 4 hours and some do it faster.
From Paine Grande to Refugio Cuernos (via the French Valley)
Operated: Between September to the end of April
- Start: Refugio Paine Grande
- End: Refugio Cuernos, Cabañas Cuernos, or Domos Frances
- Trek Time: 5hrs (direct to Refugio Cuernos and Cabañas Cuernos) or 10hrs (through the French Valley). You can take an hour off both of these times if you’re staying at Domos Frances.
- Distance: 22.6km (if going via the French Valley) or 11.6km (if going direct to Refugio and Cabañas Cuernos).
- Difficulty: Medium to high.
- Experience Required: None.
- Altitude at Highest Point: 762m (at Camp Britanico)
Trail Description
If you’re starting from Refugio Paine Grande, you’ll travel along the well-trodden path towards the Cuernos of Paine. The path is mostly level; however, it gets slightly steeper in parts.
Moreover, on the right, you will catch a glimpse of the Nordenskjold Lake, and after around two and a half hours you will arrive at a pedestrian, hanging bridge. On the other side of the bridge is the non-serviced campsite, Camp Italiano, but if you turn left after the bridge you will start to head towards the French Valley.
If you want to travel across the French Valley and back it will take 5hrs, but you can cut this short if you prefer.
From Camping Frances / Refugio or Cabañas Cuernos to Refugio Chileno
Operated: Between September to end of April
- Start: You’ll begin from Camping Frances, Refugio Cuernos or Cabañas Cuernos
- End: Refugio Chileno
- Trek Time: 5.5 hours one way from Cuernos, 7 hrs from Frances
- Distance: 11km (to Refugio Chileno) or 14.5km (if travelling from Domos Frances)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Experience Required: None
- Altitude at Highest Point: 550m (at Refugio Chileno)
Trail Description
This trek passes through a distinctive beech-tree wood and continues along the northern shore of the Nordenskjold Lake. During the hike you will encounter medium-difficulty terrain. Therefore, this means that there are some hills, but you’re met with stunning views at the top of each peak.
At some stage, you will come across a fork where you will have an option to miss out Refugio Chileno and, instead, carry on towards to the start, or end, of the trailhead at Hotel Las Torres.
However, if you decide to head towards Refugio Chileno, you will walk uphill for about an hour and a half until you get to a point where the path narrows and bends quite sharply to the left. This is the entrance to the Ascencio Valley.
From Refugio Chileno to the Torres Base
Operated: Between September to end of April
- Start: Refugio Chileno
- End: The welcome centre, Hotel Las Torres, Refugio Torre Central, Refugio Torre Norte, the welcome centre or the Eco Camp.
- Trek Time: 2 hours up from Chileno, 2 hours back to Chileno and 2 hours down to Hotel Las Torres. Add an extra half an hour to your trip if you’re travelling back to down to Refugio Torre Central, Refugio Torre Norte, the welcome Centre, and add an hour if you’re heading to back to the Eco Camp.
- Distance: 6 km from Refugio Chileno to Torres Base and back
- Difficulty: Medium to high
- Experience Required: None
- Altitude Gain: 870m
Trail Description
Refugio Chileno to the Glacial Moraine Sector
This section will take around an hour. You’ll cross two rivers and pass through a dense lenga forest during this portion of the trip.
The Moraine Sector
It will take approximately one hour to travel over and around the large boulders of glacial moraine.
This part of the trek heads north towards the Mirador, which means that the wind is usually head-on, making this portion of the trek more difficult than it would normally be.
The Torres Base
Once you travel around the final bend of the path, you will see the sky-high ‘towers’ and a stunning, blue-coloured lake at their base.
Most people take about half an hour to relax, enjoy some food and take in the view.
When you’re done soaking up the scenery, you’ll head back the way you came up; stopping by Refugio Chileno if you wish and then continue down to Hotel Las Torres, Refugio Central, Refugio Torre Norte, Eco Camp or just depart the Park.
