Experience Chile Logo

02 SELF GUIDED W Trek 1 Valley / French Valley

Enquire Now >
W TREK French Valley 2 Nights / 1 Day

W TREK French Valley 2 Nights / 1 Day

Duration
2 Nights / 1 Day
Total Hike Distance
27.2km / 17mi
Read More
Style
Self Guided
From
USD 546 PP

From USD 546 Per Person

All Inclusive

Request Itinerary
Back to Itineraries
02 SELF GUIDED W Trek 1 Valley / French Valley

Introduction

This itinerary will allow you to do a full day hike to the FRENCH VALLEY from your hotel in Puerto Natales.

Experience Chile can arrange additional private transfers as well as extra nights and activities – just ask.

Share this...

Your Day-By-Day Itinerary

NIGHT: Puerto Natales

After breakfast, collect your box lunch. Private transfer to the local bus terminal, depart from Puerto Natales on the regular bus at 07:00hrs. Option for a private transfer to and back from Torres del Paine. Arrive to Pudeto in Torres del Paine and board the catamaran to Paine Grande. Start hike to the French Valley, 9hrs return. Take the catamaran from Paine Grande to Pudeto and then the regular bus back to Puerto Natales. Private transfer to your hotel in Puerto Natales.

Begin the hike to the French Valley entrance: 7.8km / 4.8mi – Altitude: 43m – 2hrs 40min hiking.
French Valley Entrance to the French Valley Viewpoint: 2.6km / 1.6mi – Altitude: 43m – 1hr 30mins hiking.
French Valley Viewpoint to the Camp Britianico (end of the valley): 3.2km / 2mi – Altitude: 43m – 1hr hiking.
Camp Britanico to the French Valley Viewpoint: 3.2km / 2mi – Altitude: 43m – 1hr hiking.
French Valley Viewpoint to the French Valley exit: 2.6km / 1.6mi – Altitude: 43m – 1hr 30mins hiking.
French Valley exit to Paine Grande: 7.8km / 4.8mi – Altitude: 43m – 2hrs 40min hiking.

Summary:

Paine Grande to the end of the French Valley and back: 27.2km / 17mi – 5hrs 10min hiking.

Paine Grande to the French Valley Viewpoint and back: 20.8km / 13mi – 4hrs 10min hiking.

Return to Paine Grande and board the catamaran to Pudeto. Here, board the regular bus back to Puerto Natales.

NIGHT: Puerto Natales

After breakfast, depart from your hotel in Puerto Natales.

W Trek : FAQs

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?

Some of Our Testimonials

Trustpilot
Group 88

“All in all one of the best holidays we have ever had, if not the best, so thank you for putting together such an enjoyable itinerary for us.

With best wishes for the new year.”

Joe

Group 88 (1)

“Our 60th birthday trip has been so amazing because of your fantastic help. We both turned 60 years old in 2018 so we wanted to celebrate by proving to ourselves we were still fit enough to do this kind of trip.

Your help made this easy, so THANK YOU!!!!!!”

Randy and E

Group 88 (2)

“We are getting ready to leave and I just wanted to thank you for helping us along the way. We had a great time and the weather was perfect. On the “O circuit” all your arrangements went smoothly.“

Marc

View More Testimonials arrow right

MEET EXPERIENCECHILE.ORG DIRECTOR, CHARLES HALLIFAX

Our philosophy is to offer you an experience. Not just a holiday, not just a travel plan, but a life experience. We do this by creating travel itineraries that incorporate destinations, hotels and services that are special, that we know will offer you a memorable travel memory.
Read More arrow right
ChatGPT Image Jun 30, 2026, 03_41_48 PM

CUSTOM MADE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

We are distinguished partners with the Australis, Skorpios and Navimag ship companies. In each case we offer accommodation on board their vessels as stand-alone reservations or as part of your wider travel itinerary. Each ship offers the opportunity to experience Patagonia from the sea and see exactly what the pioneer sailors saw when they ventured upon these parts hundreds of year ago: pristine forests, snow-covered mountains, fiords, glaciers, marine fauna and uninhabited islands.
Book Today with Confidence arrow right

Articles & Hints

Traditional Chilean Food Served With Glasses Of Red Wine On An Outdoor Table Overlooking The Dramatic Peaks Of Torres Del Paine

Patagonia in Chile- Everything you Need to Know Before you Go

by paul@smarttdigital.co.uk | Jul 2, 2026 | Uncategorised

Why Visit Patagonia in Chile? Patagonia is one of the world's last great wilderness destinations, offering breathtaking landscapes, towering mountains, ancient glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife. For travellers planning...

Read More
Amazing Landscape Of Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

10 Reasons Chile should be your next South America holiday

by paul@smarttdigital.co.uk | Jul 2, 2026 | Uncategorised

When planning a South America holiday, many travellers immediately think of Brazil, Peru or Argentina. However, Chile travel offers an extraordinary combination of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, world-class cuisine and...

Read More

SEND US YOUR ENQUIRY

Please supply us with as much information as you can about where you want to go, what you want to do, what you want to experience and how much money you want to spend (or do not want to spend!). How many people, what type of beds (matrimonial, twin, single etc.)

VIP – if you are a VIP in any of the fields such as celebrity and / or political and / or business, and you need “special attention” such as privacy and / or security for your trip, please use an alias in the enquiry, but mention that you are VIP and one of the directors will handle your request and keep your real name and details confidential.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name
Do You Need First Night Accommodation Arranged By Us?
Do You Need Last Night Accommodation Arranged By Us?

WE ARE PROUD MEMBERS OF

Logo1
Logo2
Logo3
Adventure Media Member Badge 1
Experience Chile Registered With The Chile Tourism Body
Experience Chile Membership Puerto Natales Chamber Of Commerce
Trustpilot Logo