Introduction Summary to the Torres del Paine W Trek Trail
- The Torres del Paine W Trek Trail is a hike that will lead you to the three, most sought-after destinations: The Torres Base, French Valley and Glacier Grey.
- Hiking the W Trail is not so difficult, but you need to be in good physical shape. The full hike will require 4 nights / 5 days, but it can be extended to become 7 nights / 8 days if you decide to take in the full back country Circuit trek.
- Accommodation on the trail is spread between hostels, which are called refugios, or mountain huts; camping and in one spot, small, two-person capacity cabins. However, in addition, there are also other options not on the actual trail such as hotels, glamping and luxury lodges.
- Be aware that the trail can be somewhat overcrowded during the peak months of December, January and February. To avoid the crowds think about coming in October, November, March and April.
- It should be noted that apart from hiking, you can also add into your itinerary activities such as ice hiking, kayaking and a navigation in front of Glacier Grey.
What Is the Torres del Paine W Trek?
The Torres del Paine W Trek is a hiking trail that comprises the outline of the letter “W” when viewed down from above. The trail is divided into three sections, or valleys. These are named:
Ascensio Valley, French Valley and Grey Valley. However, in particular, at the end of the Ascensio Valley (located at the eastern arm of the trail) is a lagoon at the foot of three vertically-sided, thin, granite mountain peaks called “the Towers”. This sector is commonly called the Torres Base and an icon of the W Trek hike.
The French Valley is more or less in the middle of the trail. In this valley the spectacle is the amphitheatre of hanging glaciers and raw beauty.
Over on the western arm of the trail is Grey Lake, called “Grey” because of the glacial sediment that colours the water. At the end of this lake is Grey Glacier, which is a wall of ice stretching back to join the Southern Ice filed covering the Patagonia Andes.
What Makes the Torres del Paine W Trek so Special?
For those whose hobby is “wild walking”, hiking the W Trek trail offers a chance to do something active (total hike distance is around 63km / 40m end to end) in a setting that is raw and dramatic, in the heart of Patagonia – one of the last bastions of relatively undisturbed regions on Earth. In addition, there are challenges of changing weather and the sensation that you are in a very remote place.
Is it Worth Paying USD500 per night to Stay at Refugios Along the W Trek?
The days when a backpacker could turn up with their own tent and cook their own food and hike the W for very low cost have almost gone. Also, the time when a bed in a dorm room at a Refugio was a mere few USD per night – definitely gone! These days, due to the excessive demand to come to Torres del Paine to hike the W the cost, per person, per night, is around the USD500 mark (2026 – 27) – staying in a refugio.
People rightly ask, is it worth it? The answer to this question is yes, if you have the money and no if you do not have the money. Very much like paying several thousand USD to go to a concert or a World Cup football match – the cost is worth it for some, but not for others. Therefore, it depends on which group you are in to be able to answer the question.
Types of Accommodation long the W Trek Trail
The levels and types of accommodation located at strategic stations along the W Trek trail are detailed below. However, for all the options please click our link to the W Trek Accommodation Page.
W Trek Refugios
Refugios (or Huts)
If you are the type of person who is fine sleeping in a bunk bed, in a dormitory with up to 6 or 8 people then the refugios that are located at strategic intervals along the trail will be fine for you. At the refugios, also now know as huts, you will find communal, segregated shower and WC rooms. In addition, you will be able to receive good food such as a hot dinner, breakfast and a box lunch each day.
Premium Camping
Camping
These days there are premium camping tents and standard camping tents.
What is the difference between Premium Camping and Standard Camping?
Premium camping is a tent made from higher quality material, more spacious and, pitched on top of a high raised platform. Why? Being higher off the ground allows for the occupants of the tent to be off the cold-ground level as well as allow animals to wonder freely underneath. More info here about Premium Camping Standard camping is the “usual” tent on the ground.
Premium Camping is found on the W Trek at Chileno, Frances, Cuernos and on the Circuit trek, at Seron.
Standard camping is at Paine Grande and Grey, on the W Trek and at Dickson and Perros on the Circuit trek.
Standard Camping
Glamping at Torres Base Trail Head
Glamping
Camping at a hig-end level has been referred to as “Glamping” for many years now. Effectively, Glamping is accommodation under canvass (or hard plastic), but with all the facilities that you will find in a private, hotel room. On the Torres del Paine W Trek trail, at the trail head that leads to the Torres Base is the Glamping place called ECO Camp (the ECO referring to its ecological focus). Off the trail there is another Glamping place called Patagonia Camp and here you will find Yurt Camps. Each option only offers all-inclusive itinerary programs which we can book.
W Trek from Luxury Lodges
Luxury Lodges
In the event that you have the budget, and you want the best, top-end, luxury accommodation, features and services, then we can arrange an all-inclusive stay at one of the luxury lodges.
Here, you will enjoy fabulous accommodation with modern bathrooms, great food, and in some places, the added facilities of an indoor pool and spa as well as educated guides. But, most importantly, staying at a top-end lodge adds another dimension to your overall experience in Torres del Paine. You would hike a leg of the W trek each day and return to the lodge at the end of each day.
W Trek from Hotels
Are There Any Hotels on the W Trek Trail?
There is only one hotel on the actual trail. This is Hotel Las Torres, located at the trail head in the Eastern sector, that leads up to the Torres Base. Hotel Las Torres can be booked, with benefits, by ExperienceChile.Org with half board and full board options as well as all-inclusive itinerary programs.
Also at this end of the trail is the ECO Camp. Again, ExperienceChile.Org can book a stay here, but only under an all-inclusive itinerary program.
Apart from the eastern end of the trail, the only other hotel that can be considered “on the trail” is Hotel Lago Grey over in the western sector, on the southern shores of Lake Grey, but not on the actual trail. ExperienceChile.Org can include stays at any of the places mentioned and make your W Trek itinerary work any way you want, including being based in Puerto Natales or another hotel in Torres del Paine.
Torres del Paine W Trek Trail Map
What is the Length and Height of the W Trek Trail?
The overall length of the Torres del Paine W Trek trail is around 63km (40mi), from end to end. It is a well-trodden footpath that traverses into three, key valleys and in doing so creates the outline of a “W” shape when viewed down upon from above.
At its highest point the altitude is 870m, which is at the Torres Base viewpoint. Following this is the end of the French Valley at 754m. Then, on the western end at Grey, the altitude measures 64m, while at the eastern end at the Welcome Centre, the altitude is 135m.
W Trek Distances and Hiking Times (kilometres = km / miles = m)
W TREK EAST TO WEST
- Welcome Centre to CHILENO: 6.1km / 3.8m – 2hrs 30mins hike.
- Chileno to TORRES BASE: 4.8km / 3m – 2hrs hike.
- Torres Base to CHILENO: 4.8km / 3m – 2hrs hike.
- Welcome Centre to Torres Base and Back: 10.9km / 6.8m – 4hrs 30mins hike.
- Welcome Centre to CUERNOS: 12.5km / 7.8m – 4hrs 30mins hike.
- Chileno to CUERNOS: 12km / 7.8m – 4hrs 45mins hike.
- Cuernos to FRANCES: 3.6km / 2.2m – 1hr 30min hike.
- Frances to French Valley Entrance: 1.1km / 0.7m – 45mins hike.
- French Valley Entrance to the FV Viewpoint: 2.6km / 1.6m – 1hr 30min hike.
- French Valley Viewpoint to the end (Camp Britanico): 3.2km / 2m – 1hr hike.
- Total distance from French Valley Entrance to the end and back is: 11.6km / 7.25m – 5hr hike.
- French Valley Exit to PAINE GRANDE: 7.8km / 4.8m – 2hrs 40mins hike.
- Paine Grande to GREY: 11km / 6.8m – 4hrs hike.
W TREK WEST TO EAST
- Grey to PAINE GRANDE: 11km / 6.8m – 4hrs hike.
- Paine Grande to FRENCH VALLEY ENTRANCE: 7.8km / 4.8m – 2hrs 40mins hike.
- French Valley Entrance to the FV Viewpoint: 2.6km / 1.6m – 1hr 30min hike.
- French Valley Viewpoint to the end (Camp Britanico): 3.2km / 2m – 1hr hike.
- Total distance from French Valley Entrance to the end and back is: 11.6km / 7.25m – 5hr hike.
- French Valley Exit to FRANCES: 1.1km / 0.7m – 45mins hike.
- Frances to CUERNOS: 3.6km / 2.2m – 1hr 30min hike.
- Cuernos to CENTRAL (Welcome Centre): 12.5km / 7.8m – 4hrs 30mins hike.
- Central (Welcome Centre) to CHILENO: 6.1km / 3.8m – 2hrs 30mins hike.
- Cuernos to CHILENO: 12km / 7.8m – 4hrs 45mins hike.
- Chileno to TORRES BASE: 4.8km / 3m – 2hrs hike.
- Torres Base to CHILENO: 4.8km / 3m – 2hrs hike.
- Chileno to Welcome Centre: 6.1km / 3.8m – 2hrs 30mins hike.
FOR MUCH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE W TREK PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO OUR MOTHER SITE AT EXPERIENCECHILE.ORG
Q. What kind of equipment will I need to do the W Trek?
What do You Need to Hike the Famous W Trail?
Considering that Torres del Paine is located in the far south of Chile, in the heart of Patagonia, the weather is reliably changeable. One moment it can be very lovely, not much wind, dry and sunny. However, a few hours later is may change to being incredibly windy, rainy and cold. Therefore, it is essential that you have the right hiking clothes for both the good and the bad regarding weather.
See our CLOTHES TO PACK advice.
In addition, hiking poles will be very useful.
Other W Trek Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is Patagonia?
Patagonia is located in the far south of South America, occupying the final “cone” part of the continent. As a matter of fact, this area is still, fortunately, a stunningly natural environment with little in the way of human urbanization. On the positive side, here there are vast open spaces of wilderness where land, lakes, rivers, mountains and wildlife still interreact in harmony with one another. It is within this beautiful and dramatically inspiring land where one can feel in awe of nature and discover a spiritual awakening of oneself.
Q. How Can I Hike the Torres del Paine W Trek and Stay in a Private Room?
Effectively the only way to have your own, private room, for sleeping each night of the W Trek is to let Experience Chile book you a custom W Trek itinerary staying in hotels. This will mean coming off the trail for some nights, but we will work it so that you then get taken back to the next trail head in order to continue the W trek route. Also, there is the option to let us book an all-inclusive stay that includes the W Trek, and you are based in one hotel, or one luxury lodge for the duration of the hike.
Q. Which is Best the W Trek or the Circuit Trek?
This is not so much a question of “which is best”. Each trek is different and outstanding in its own right. Considering that the Circuit Trek actually includes the full W Trek, when hiking the Circuit Trek you have extra days to walk the back country of the Torres del Paine main trail. This sector opens up different, dramatic views as well as being more challenging than the W Trek. The Circuit trek requires at least 7 nights’ accommodation, and the full W requires 4 nights’ accommodation, but can be done in 3 nights also.
Q. When is the Busiest Time for the W Trek?
The peak season for hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine is Christmas Week between Christmas and New Year. However, it is also pretty busy most of December, January and February. Therefore, if you wish to avoid “the crowds” and have a better chance of securing refugio accommodation, consider coming in October, November, March and April. In addition, book as early as you can with Experience Chile.
Q. Can I Use Cash on the W Trek?
These days nearly all the refugios accept credit cards. However, it is always a good idea to have a cash back-up in the event that the card machines are down for any reason. Having said that, if you book an all-inclusive W trek with Experience Chile, for example, you will not need to buy anything extra on the trek. One exception to this is the catamaran between Paine Grande and Pudeto. The Catamaran, which IS included in an all-inclusive W Trek itinerary, will require a cash purchase of tickets if you do not have it included as just mentioned.
Q. What are the Meal Times on the W Trek?
Usual meals times at refugios along the W Trek trail are set at: Dinner between 19:30hrs – 21:30hrs / Breakfast between 07:30hrs – 09:30hrs / Lunch is usually a box lunch to go, however, if you happen to be at the refugio for lunch then between 12:00hrs – 14:00hrs you can usually pick up snacks and things like a pizza.
Q. Can I Order a Vegetarian or Special Meal on the W Trek?
All the refugios, as well as hotels in Torres del Paine, cater for people who have special dietary needs be it vegetarian, no gluten, no other foods due to allergies and so on. However, your operator, in this case Experience Chile, will need advance warning as to what your specific dietary requirements are. In addition, when you check into a refugio you should alert the reception to what your needs are to ensure that they get it right.
The W Trek with Antarctica?
or any Torres del Paine Itinerary?
Special W Trek or Torres del Paine with Antarctica Combo
Should you wish to mix a W Trek itinerary with an Antarctic trip, Experience Chile will offer you an attractive discount (such as a half price W Trek), or maybe other free services, on top of any other combination offer already on the table. Therefore, ASK US FIRST if you intend to do Antarctica AND Torres del Paine!
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
Internal Link Center W Trek
Please Send Us Your Enquiry
For the best service please supply us with as much information as you can. For example, 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
In the event that you are a VIP in any of the fields such as celebrity and/or political and/or business, and you need “special attention”. For example, 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.
OFFER
Ask us to handle ALL of your South America, or Chile trip and we WILL include some items for free or at special lower-than-public rates. How much we can offer you depends on how much we can arrange and book for you. REQUEST@EXPERIENCECHILE.ORG
Remember, our specialty is to create a travel itinerary custom-built to your needs.
