W Trek Patagonia Chile
If you are looking at this page you have probably heard and the “W Trek” Patagonia Chile. However, just in case you actually have no idea what it is, or what it means, here is a brief outline. In short it is a footpath that transcends three valleys in the heart of the National Park called Torres del Paine. This is a spectacular park in Patagonia, access via southern Chile. It contains three, outstanding features know as the Torres Base, French Valley and Grey Glacier. Each of these locations offers an amazing, visual spectacle for those lucky enough to see them.
The trail itself is moderaely challenging. It is not like a “sunday walk”, but neither is it a Hymalayan hike. It is undulating, steep in parts, reaching altitudes of 870m at the view point of the Torres Base, whereas the altitude at the end of the French Valley is 754m. All other peaks along the trail are less in altitude. Below, we will supply you with more information about this trek.
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W Trek Patagonia Chile
An Introduction to W Trek
The W Trek Patagonia Chile, as mentioned in the main introduction, is a footpath along which people hike. In other words it is a trekking trail. The total hiking distance is around 73Kms, which is broken into strategically placed accommodation hostels along the trail. This means that the longest hiking day is around 10hrs, but most other sectors are around 5hrs from accommodation location to accommodation location.
How Much Time is Required to Hike the W Trek?
In order to fully cover the trail 4 nights’ accommodation should be considered. However, it is also possible to cover the trail over three nights. Three nights means that you are not relaxing so much.
For W Trek Reservations send an email to here: request@experiencechile.org
Q. Why Hike the Torres del Paine W Trek?
The Torres del Paine W Trek is so popular because it is set within a truly outstanding area of natural beauty and offers walkers a moderately challenging path to negotiate. In addition, its length is broken into manageable segments marked by hostels where there is accommodation and food available.
Q. Where is the Torres del Paine W Trek?
The W Trek is in the middle of the National Park Torres del Paine, which is in southern Patagonia, in Southern Chile.
Q. What are the Iconic Destinations on the Torres del Paine W Trek?
There iconic destinations on the W Trek are:
The Torres Base, the French Valley and Glacier Grey. These are in three, different valleys along the trail. For example:
On the western side is Grey Lake, at the end of which is the Grey Glacier, where people can kayak and trek on top of the ice.
In the middle of the trail is the French Valley, where the scenery is stunning.
Finally, as we are going from West to East with this explanation, in the east is the Ascensio Valley. At the end, which is also the top of this valley, are the three, vertical spires known as “The Torres”. At the foot of these towers is a lagoon and viewpoint and this is known as “the Torres Base”.
Accommodation Along the W Trek
Types of W Trek Accommodation
Along the trail there are hostels, called refugios, that offer dormitory rooms with a capacity for 6 to 8 people in bunk beds. At these refugios are communal, but segregated shower and WC units. In addition, there is a communal dining room where food is served.
Adjacent to the Refugio’s there are camp sites. These vary in quality between Premium Camping and Standard Camping. The premium being a better-quality tent, pitched atop a high-raised platform allowing to avoid the usual colder air at ground level. Some Refugio’s take the form of dome-shaped units, in particular at a place called Frances, and another variety are the private, A-framed cabins at Cuernos.
In all instances, guests will receive meals inside the refugios.
For W Trek Reservations send an email to here: request@experiencechile.org
W Trek Types of Accommodation
Premium Camping
Refugio Dorm Room
Cabin at Cuernos
Domos Frances
Torres Base
French Valley
Onward to Grey
Glacier Grey End
The Most Popular W Trek Route
Hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine Starting from the Welcome Centre
The Ascencio Valley
If you begin your trek from the Torres del Paine Welcome Centre, you will be in the eastern end of the park. From the Welcome Centre the trail takes a steep incline up to the place known as Chileno. This will take about 2.5hrs to walk from the Welcome Centre to Chileno. Many people stop here for a short rest. From here the path continues with a crossing of the Ascensio river, over a narrow footbridge, and then traverses up and through a wooded area until eventually you come to a clearing where there are no more trees. At this juncture there is only a “sea” of rocks in front of you covering a hill side and this is the glacial moraine left over from the time when glaciers covered this area and then receded or melted.
At this point of meeting the glacial moraine, the turn is left and uphill “squeezing” past some large boulders, scrambling over smaller ones, grabbing the odd tree sticking out from a crack and making your way up, for about an hour, to the “reward” of seeing the vertical, “smooth sided” granite spires known as “the towers”.
From where the trail begins, back at the Welcome Centre, to the base and back is a distance of around 22km requiring about 9hrs return trek time.
Sector Before Entering the French Valley
After a good night’s sleep at either Premium Camping Chileno, or Refugio Central, today is all about hiking 5hrs to either Cuernos or 6hrs to Frances. The path from Chileno will be downhill initially and then level out, whereas the trail from Central will be more or less level for the duration.
The Iconic French Valley
The trail distance between Ciernos and Frances is relatively short at 3.2km one way, which takes around 1hr 15mins trekking time. From Frances to the entrance of the French Valley, at Camp Italiano (note that this is only a space where people with their own tents can pitch them) is around 1.8km and this takes about 1hr and 15mins to hike. Therefore, the total hike time from Cuernos to the French Valley entrance is around 2.5hrs.
Then, from the French Valley entrance to the end of the French Valley it will take about 2.5hrs of steady, uphill walking. However, you can cut this short and stop halfway at the viewpoint and then return. In the event that you do make it to the end of the valley, do not forget the 2.5hrs required to get back to the entrance point.
Once back at the entrance point you will either be continuing on to Paine Grande, where the trail is mostly level, apart from some short, undulating areas, and this will take 2.5hrs to hike, or you may be taking a second night at Frances or Cuernos, in which case you will double back from whence you came in the morning.
Grey Lake to Refugio and Camping Grey
You will have slept the night at Refugio or Camping Paine Grande. Today will begin with a quite steep, uphill, meandering sector that takes you up to a wooded plateau. This will take approximately 1hr to achieve. Once in the wooded area it is then a short, and level walk to an opening where there is a natural, flat rocky area, that serves as a viewpoint from where there is a panoramic view over Lake Grey and, on a clear day, the Glacier Grey in the far distance. Many people get to this point and then return back down to Paine Grande and take the catamaran across to Pudeto and depart the park back to Puerto Natales.
However, those who are on a “mission” will carry on getting to Refugio Grey. From the viewpoint, it is downhill to almost lake level and then the trail maintains a more or less level trajectory all the way to Refugio and Camping Grey. Here you can take the Navigation Grey (pre booked) across Grey lake to Hotel Grey or participate in Kayak or Ice Hiking on the Glacier (requires pre booking) and a night at the refugio or camping. The trek time from Paine Grande to Grey is around 4hrs.
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Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
Some FAQ’s
Q. How do I get to the Torres del Paine W Trek?
Coming From Santiago
To get to Torres del Paine and the W Trek you will need to fly into Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales from Santiago.
From El Calafate
Alternatively, you can come over the border from El Calafate, in Argentina, by road.
It should be noted that the road transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales is 3hrs. In this event it is usually a good idea to have a night in Puerto Natales to rest and enjoy this settlement, which is located beside a fiord and surrounded by lovely scenery. In the event that you arrive to Puerto Natales directly from Santiago, a night in the village is also a good idea.
Starting From Puerto Natales
After that, the road transfer into Torres del Paine is either 1hr to get to the western end of the Park (not the W), and 2hrs to get to the eastern side, where Laguna Amarga is located. Then you need to get to the relevant trail head via Laguna Amarga and on the Welcome Centre, or Pudeto to take the catamaran across to Refugio Paine Grande, or even to Hotel Las Torres to take the boat across to Refugio Grey.
Flights Landing in Puerto Natales
In general flights into Puerto Natales only occur on certain days of the week in the high season.
Here is the daily flight schedule for Season 2022-23 for flights from Santiago.
SKY – TUE / WED / FRI / SAT / SUN
LATAM – TUE / THURS / FRI / SAT / SUN
JET SMART – MON / FRI
Q. What are the best accommodation choices?
Accommodation is basically split into two categories: Refugios (or hostels) on the actual trek, and hotels positioned around the Park.
However, there is also luxury camping and high-end luxury hotel lodges. Mostly to be found in strategically-positioned places around the Park that give incredible, dramatic views of the Torres del Paine Central Masiff. The most popular choices for trekkers on the W Trek are either a refugio (hostel) or serviced camping.
Q. Is W Trek Trek Difficult to Hike?
The W Trek is not particularly difficult to hike, although in some sectors the trail can be steep, narrow and slippery. It is important that you are physically in good shape and accustomed to long walks of several hours each day.
Q. Why Come to Torres del Paine?
Torres del Paine is not for everyone. For example, if you want a holiday in the sunshine at a coastal resort then Patagonia is not really going to be the place for you. However, if you love the outdoors, enjoy raw nature, and get pleasure from spectacular, geographic views as well as want an active holiday, then Torres del Paine, and the W Trek especially, will give you all of this.
Q. How Much Does it Cost to do an All-Inclusive W Trek Program?
The cost for the season 2024-25, for a 4-night, all-inclusive trek, with accommodation in refugios, food, park entry tickets, catamaran ticket and bus tickets is from USD1,740 per person (based on a bank wire final payment). For camping the cost is less.
See our rates here: W TREK RATES 2024-25
Q. What is Included in the 4 Night All-Inclusive W Trek Program?
Included in the W Trek, all-inclusive 4 Night program is:
Regular Bus Transfer in and Out of TDP from Puerto Natales.
4 Nights’ Accommodation in Refugios, or Serviced Camping on the W Trek Trail.
Bunk Bed with Bedding Included.
Serviced Camping Includes: Tent, Ground Mat, Sleeping Bag.
All Meals in this order: Hot Dinner, Breakfast and Box Lunch.
One Catamaran Trip Between Pudeto and Paine Grande.
Entrance Tickets into Torres del Paine.
NOT Included:
Guide (but available as an extra if required)
Medical Insurance
Travel Insurance
Tips
Drinks at Dinner
Any Other Extra Services unless Requested as extras.
W Trek Full Trail Map
W Trek Activities
Some of the Activities Along the W Trek
Apart from walking, there are various activities available along the trail. For example, at Refugio Grey (or camping Grey) there is Ice Hiking on top of Glacier Grey, Kayaking on Grey Lake in front of the glacier and also the Navigation Grey boat that takes people between Refugio Grey and Hotel Grey.
Then, in the National Park there is wildlife including the Condor, Puma and many Guanacos among other fauna.
For W Trek Reservations send an email to here: request@experiencechile.org
Ice Hike Grey
Kayak Grey
Navigation Grey
W Trek Hiking
More W Trek F A Q’s
Q. Why is the W Trek Called the W Trek?
It should be noted that the name “W Trek” is derived from the “W” shape of the trail within the central massif of the Torres Del Paine National Park, when viewed down upon from above. To illustrate the point, it is the outer and middle lines of a “W” that define where the trail enters the key valleys of the trek.
Q. Is it possible to do it on my own or should I join a group?
We provide itineraries for solo travellers, couples and groups of all sizes, so don’t be discouraged if you’re apprehensive about going it alone.
If you’d like an experienced guide for your trip, get in touch and we can organize this for you for an additional fee. However, if you’re the adventurous type you’re more than welcome to tackle the W-Trek unguided.
Q. How Long Does it Take to Walk the W?
In order to walk the full length of the W trek you need 5 days. However, the trek can also be done in a shorter period if you opt for the “Express” trek and cut it short. In terms of distance the trail measures around 62.7km from one end to the other, including entering the French Valley.
Q. Why is the W Trek so Popular?
The Torres del Paine W Trek is so popular because it offers a combination of a healthy walk along a path that can, in parts, demand more from you in terms of energy; a trail surrounded by dramatic and spectacular views in all directions as well as offering entry into the heart of some of the most impressive geological sights on Earth. Particularly, the three valleys the trail incorporates each lead to an iconic sight. In its entirety, it is a stunning outdoor experience.
Q. What activities can I add on to my W Trek?
Torres Del Paine national park is rife with additional activities for you to incorporate into your custom itinerary. If you would like to get involved in some kayaking or ice-hiking, just mention this to our travel experts and we’ll do our best to incorporate it.
Q. Why Would I need a guide for the W Trek?
A guide is not essential to the experience as the path is generally well-populated and well marked, however many of our customers who are first-time trekkers say that booking a guide is one of the best decisions they made for the trip. In addition, if you are a group of 6 or more people you do need to hire a local guide because of Park regulations.
The guide’s knowledge of the area and its history can really add to your experience. Also, having the responsibility of navigating in someone else’s hands will help you relax so you can just focus on the views and putting one foot in front of the other.
Q. What kind of pace do the guides set?
The guided tour is just that, guided. However, the pace of the trek is totally dependent on the speed of the slowest member. In general, guides will hike at the front of the group and make sure the group is comfortable with the pace.
Guides will also have a series of viewpoints or miradors planned out in advance, which serve as opportunities for an extended rest. If you need a slower pace than average, let us know ahead of time and we will make sure that we accommodate that in your itinerary.
Q. Where is the wildlife can I expect to see in Torres del Paine?
The main wildlife you can expect to see when hiking in Torres del Paine includes Guanacos, which are close cousins of the Peruvian llamas, and these are often seen in Eastern sector of the Park.
In addition, there is South America’s iconic wildlife like the condor, huemul deer, armadillo and many other recognizable creatures are all found in Torres del Paine National Park.
Above all, just make sure to bring some binoculars if you want a good view of condors!
Q. Is it Better to Camp or Stay in a Refugio on the W Trek?
The answer to this question depends on you and what you like. Staying in a refugio means sleeping in a bunk bed in a dorm room with other people, strangers, unless they are your own family or friends. For example, refugio dorms range from holding 6 to 8 beds, so that means 5 to 7 other people, apart from yourself, in the same room. However, camping will give you privacy, but you will be under a tent and “closer to nature”, which some people prefer anyway. In both cases the shower and WC units are communal but segregated. Also in both cases, meals are all taken inside the refugio.
Q. What Are the Daily Hiking Distances Along the W Trek Trail?
There are different ways to hike the W Trek. However, the traditional route and usual paths are the following distances in kilometers (1km = 0.6m).
Total trek is approx 63km.
Central to Torres Base: 10.9km
Chileno to Torres Base: 4.8km
Chileno to Cuernos: 9km
Cuernos to Frances: 3.8km
Frances to the end of the French Valley 7.5km
Camp Italiano to the end of the French Valley: 5.3km
Camp Italiano to Paine Grande: 2.8km
Paine Grande to Grey: 11.6km
Highest Point is at Torres Base at 870m followed by end of the French Valley at 754m.
Q. Where Can I go to the Bathroom When I am Hiking the W Trek Trail?
All the refugio and camping stations along the W Trek trail have WC units. However, in the event that you are “cut short”, you will need to find a secluded spot along the trail away from the eyesight of other trekkers, be discreet and do your business there. Whatever you do, do NOT BURN ANY loo paper – FORBIDDEN!!!
Q. Is it Possible to Hike the W Trek and Stay in Luxury Accommodation?
The short answer is absolutely yes. All the high-end, luxury Torres del Paine Hotel Lodges offer the W Trek as part of their daily menu excursion options.
See link here: Torres del Paine Luxury Hotel Lodges.
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.
What ExperienceChile.Org says about the W Trek
Experience Chile has been arranging W Trek itineraries in Torres del Paine National Park since 1996. We are an English owned and managed, receptive travel operator, based in Chile. In particular, we are the pioneers who began offering W Trek all-inclusive itineraries and it is only true to say that we are outright specialists in this destination.
The W trek in Torres del Paine is a unique, outdoor, hiking experience amid one of the most incredible natural, geographical wonders of the world. If you want the best in the business to handle your personal itinerary, please get in touch.
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
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.
