The W Trek in Torres del Paine
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.
Hiking the W trek 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.
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
Lucky for Some
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.
Warning:
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 and DO NOT go off the TRAIL.
Torres del Paine W-Trek Brief Summary
Total Trekking Distance: 75km approx., depending on which route you take.
Number of Days: Full Trek 5 days, but shorter version can be done in 4 days.
Starting and End Points:
East to West
- Start at Refugio Chileno, Refugio Central (or Norte) or Hotel Las Torres, or ECO Camp
- End at Refugio Grey
West to East
- Start at Refugio Grey, or Paine Grande
- End at Refugio Chileno, Refugio Central (or Norte), Hotel Las Torres, or ECO Camp
Note:
- Made bed means duvet, pillow and sheets.
- Simple bed + Kit: The staff provide you the sheets and duvet and you set up the bed.
- Full Board Means: Hot dinner, breakfast and box lunch (in this order).
Usual Meal Times:
- Dinner: 19:30 – 21:30hrs
- Breakfast: 07:30 – 09:30hrs
- Lunch: 19:30 – 21:30hrs (if trekking you will get a box lunch to go).
The Highest Points:
- The French Valley, Mirador Britanico at 1,200m
- The Torres Base at the base, 870m
About 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. However, some choose to camp.
Here at Experience Chile we provide full-board reservations, so you won’t need to buy your own food on the trek.
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.
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.
Questions
It should be said that the majority of people trek the trail self-guided. The routes are sign-posted clearly with orange-painted poles and are also well-trodden paths and, in the summer season (Dec – Jan – Feb) there will be numerous other hikers about. Nevertheless, this is wilderness country, very remote and subject to sudden changes in weather that can make conditions tough.
Take Note
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.
However, if you are a group, you should take a guide to comply with the Park regulations, or if you are unsure of doing the trek on your own. The guide will also be able to inform you of valuable information during the trek, about geological features, vegetation, and wildlife, as well as handle the check-in.
Porters are available to carry one, back-pack style bag (NOT a suitcase) up to 15kg in weight.
For both a guide and / or porter there is, of course, additional cost.
People coming from Santiago will inevitably pass by Puerto Natales, either coming from Punta Arenas or on a direct flight to the village. Therefore, Puerto Natales is the ideal stop-off for a night or two pre and / or post your visit to Torres del Paine.
Based in Natales
Also, here at Experience Chile, we operate W Trek programs based from Puerto Natales, whereupon you can avoid the dorm-room sleeping situation in the refugios and, instead, enjoy a decent hotel or top-end hotel as well as restaurants and “vibe” of a village.
Alternatively, the other place to stay pre and / or post the W Trek is in El Calafate, over the border in Argentina, which is a 6hr transfer away. Moreover, over at El Calafate you will be able to visit the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier and / or go trekking at El Chalten (3hr transfer).
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.
For most of the time walking the footpaths in TDP you will be staring at the ground a few paces in front and looking up occasionally, and then stopping to take in the breath-taking views all around.
However, a number of people ask which way is better.
Is There Any Advantage?
In reality there is really no specific advantage over the other, but the main differences are that going West to East means that from Paine Grande you will have the Cuernos del Paine in view for most of the way, hanging glaciers on your left, and lakes on your right as well as the prevailing wind, which, if blowing, will be on your back.
If you go East to West you will have the beautiful view of the lakes to your left and hanging glaciers on your right and the prevailing wind against you, if it is blowing.
Ultimately, it is better to plan the route around the reality of travel logistics and connections you will require.
There is an entrance fee to pay to enter Torres del Paine and this will need to be paid in Chilean Pesos or in USD– equal to approx USD50 per person. Experience Chile will pre-arrange entry tickets for all our clients and have them sent to your cel phone or email.
Extras
Payment for all extras at the refugios can be paid in USD or in Chilean Pesos
Chile has a modern network of ATM machines called Red Bank located in many areas (banks, supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations) in villages, towns and cities.
It is easy to use a debit or credit card to get local currency cash out BUT NOT within Torres del Paine so ensure you have enough CASH with you before entering the park. More refugios are now accepting credit cards too (but do not rely on this).
Torres del Paine offers visitors various accommodation alternatives ranging from camping, to refugios (these are hostels), to hotels and luxury lodges.
For those walking the W Trek, the question for you is what type of person are you and how much money do you have to spend?
Seasons
Torres del Paine High Season
The busiest months are December, January and February, therefore, the trekking route and Torres Del Paine National Nark will be more crowded during this time.
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 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.
