Looking for information on the W Trek in Patagonia, the most famous multiday hike in Chile? You’ve come to the right place!
Every year, travelers set out insufficiently prepared, which can negatively impact their experience. Since we want you to make the most of your trip, we’ll answer the most common questions. Ready for the hike of a lifetime?
Torres del Paine W Trek guide:
2. Where is the W Trek located?
3. How long does it take to hike the W Trek?
4. What is the route of the W Trek?
5. What are the highlights of the W Trek?
6. Where to stay on the W Trek?
7. What and where to eat on the W Trek?
8. How difficult is the W Trek?
9. When is the best time to hike the W Trek?
10. What should I pack for the W Trek?
11. Should I do the W Trek with a guide?
12. W Trek vs O Trek : Which should I choose?
The Torres del Paine W Trek is a multi-day hike shaped like a “W” on the map, located in Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chilean Patagonia. This trail showcases the best of the park, including Grey Glacier, the French Valley, and the Base of the Towers viewpoint. It’s one of the most iconic hikes in Patagonia.
You hike from refugio (mountain hut) to refugio over 4 to 6 days, covering approximately 71 kilometers/44 miles in total.
If you’re looking for an active holiday in nature, this trek is for you. You’ll spend your days immersed in nature. With some of the world’s most breathtaking viewpoints, you certainly won’t get bored. Despite its popularity among hikers (and non-hikers alike), Torres del Paine still offers opportunities to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature.
The trails of the W Trek are located in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. The park, covering an area of 230,000 hectares, encompasses blue lakes, glaciers, and rivers in the Magallanes Region. As Chile’s southernmost region, getting there does take some time.
So, how to get to Patagonia?
Good question! Getting to Torres del Paine is indeed a long journey, but it’s an adventure in itself. Most travelers fly from Santiago de Chile to Punta Arenas, a 3-hour flight, followed by a 5-hour drive to reach Torres del Paine.
However, the closest airport to Torres del Paine is Puerto Natales, which is only a 2-hour drive from the park. Flights to Puerto Natales are mainly available during high season (November to March).
If you’re coming from Argentina, you can fly to El Calafate. From there, you can cross the border at Cerro Castillo (border crossing Río Don Guillermo) or at Río Turbio (border crossing Dorotea y Laurita Casas Viejas), in a journey of 5 to 7 hours.
There are also regular bus connections between Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, El Calafate, and Torres del Paine National Park. Within the park, buses operate at specific times of the day and stop at five different locations.
You can hike the full W Trek in 4 to 6 days. It depends on how you arrange your route to the starting point and if you hike from east to west or west to east.
The W Trek consists of four main sections:
Base of the Towers trail: hike from the Welcome Center to the Base of the Towers viewpoint and back
Los Cuernos trail: hike from the Welcome Center to Camping Cuernos or Camping Francés (or the other way around)
French Valley trail: hike from camping Cuernos or Camping Francés to Paine Grande via the French Valley (or the other way around)
Grey trail: hike from Paine Grande to the Grey Glacier viewpoint (or the other way around)
If you book a 7-day trek with Cascada Expediciones, you’ll hike from east to west, but finish with the Base of the Towers trek. Your starting point is EcoCamp Patagonia, our sustainable dome hotel located close to the Welcome Center. You’ll complete the W Trek over 4 hiking days.
The itinerary includes an additional hiking day, with a short drive and a light hike in another part of the park outside the W Trek. This excursion takes place near Laguna Azul, on the eastern side of the park.
You’ll spend the first and last days of your itinerary traveling to and from the park, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy scenic landscapes along the way.
Hiking day 1: EcoCamp Patagonia → Camping Cuernos / Camping Francés
12 km - 7.5 miles - 4 to 5 hours - 300 m (1148 ft) elevation gain
The first day is relatively easy. You’ll hike through open landscapes, pass Laguna Inge, and eventually reach the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld. The terrain is often referred to as “Patagonian flat”, not truly flat, but with constant gentle ups and downs rather than steep climbs. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of the distinctive, horn-shaped peaks of the Paine Massif.
Hiking day 2: Camping Cuernos / Camping Francés → Paine Grande
20 km - 12.4 miles - 10 hours - 820 m (2690 ft) elevation gain
The second day is significantly more demanding, with a longer distance and more elevation gain. You’ll pass Campamento Italiano before ascending steeply into what is called the “French Valley”. Depending on weather conditions, timing, and group pace, you may hike to the first viewpoint or continue further to the Británico viewpoint, which offers spectacular views of the geological formations. The day ends with a descent through mixed terrain of grasslands and light forest, finishing at Refugio Paine Grande.
Hiking day 3: Paine Grande → Lake Grey
11 km - 6.8 miles - 4 hours - 271 m (889 ft) elevation gain
Day three is more relaxed, with a shorter distance and less elevation gain. You’ll enjoy views of Grey Lake and Lake Pehoé as you gradually ascend toward the Grey Glacier viewpoint. To return, you’ll take a ferry across Lake Grey, arriving near Hotel Grey. From there, transportation will take you back toward EcoCamp.
Hiking day 4: EcoCamp Patagonia → Base of the Towers → return
22 km - 14 miles - 8 to 9 hours - 1023 m (3356 ft) elevation gain
This is the most challenging day in terms of elevation gain, leading to the iconic viewpoint of the Towers (weather permitting). You’ll begin through open terrain before ascending alongside a winding river. After passing Refugio Chileno, ideal for a short break, you’ll continue through a forested section. The final stretch involves a steep climb over large rocks to reach the viewpoint. After taking in the scenery, you’ll return along the same trail.
Hiking day 5 (extra day, not part of the W Trek route): Eastern Lakes
6 km - 3.7 miles - 3 hours - 267 m (876 ft) elevation gain
On the final hiking day, you’ll start with a short drive to Lago Sarmiento. From there, you’ll hike approximately 5 km to the Laguna Amarga entrance. Along the way, you’ll pass Laguna Goic and enjoy beautiful lake views, with chances to spot wildlife such as guanacos and condors. After the hike, you’ll continue by vehicle to Laguna Azul for a stop and go back to EcoCamp.
You can also opt for a shorter version of the W Trek, with 3 full days of hiking that still cover the main highlights (Grey Glacier, the French Valley, and the Base of the Towers). The total distance is approximately 60 km / 37 miles. In this version, you skip the Los Cuernos section. Check out the differences between the 5-day and the 7-day W Trek program in the table below.
Belén and Ignacio from the Cascada sales team did this hike and shared their experiences!
7 DAY W TREK |
5 DAY W TREK |
|
Length |
7 days: 5 days trekking + 2 days travel | 5 days:3 days trekking + 2 days travel |
Accommodation |
|
|
Trails |
|
|
Physical level |
Demanding | Demanding |
Start date |
Monday | Sunday |
Season |
From October to April | From October to April |
Suitable for |
Excellent option if: - you want to experience the full W Trek - you would like to discover another part of the park with a light excursion before heading home |
Excellent option if: - you’re short on time - you would like to skip the connecting trails between the highlights of the W |
So, you might be wondering: should I choose the 5-day or the 7-day W Trek?
Well, that depends on several factors, such as how much time you have, how many days you’d like to hike, and whether you’re comfortable staying at campsites.
The 5-day W Trek is shorter, making it a great option if you have limited travel time. On this itinerary, you’ll spend one night at a campsite, with the remaining nights at EcoCamp Patagonia.
During the 7-day trek, you’ll spend two nights at campsites and complete the full route without skipping any sections. This also means you’ll spend more time in the park. An added advantage is that with more days, you increase your chances of experiencing good weather, especially useful in Patagonia, where conditions can change quickly.
In terms of hiking intensity, neither option should be underestimated. While the 5-day W Trek includes only 3 hiking days, these are long and demanding, covering significant distances each day.
Looking for more info on the differences? You can find more details in this blog. Or watch our webinar!
There is also a third option: the W Trek Brush variant, which takes you into wilder, more remote areas of the park. This 7-day program includes the classic W Trek route and adds two extra days of exploration. On these additional days, you’ll discover Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, the Serrano Glacier and Balmaceda Glacier (weather permitting), as well as Brush Lake. This option is best suited for adventurous and experienced hikers.
The W Trek takes you past some of the spectacular sights in Chilean Patagonia. The most iconic highlight is the Base of the Towers, a viewpoint offering breathtaking views of the three granite spires that gave Torres del Paine National Park its name. But the other highlights are just as impressive.
The hike through the French Valley offers stunning views of a hanging glacier descending from Paine Grande, the highest peak in the park (3,050 m / 10,000 ft). It’s also one of the best places to witness avalanches. Along the way, you’ll enjoy mesmerizing views of the Horns (“Los Cuernos”), the park’s other iconic jagged peaks.
Grey Glacier is another major highlight. This fast retreating glacier is still massive enough to impress every traveler. A full-day hike brings you to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the glacier. However, one of the most memorable ways to experience Grey Glacier is by boat. This 3-hour navigation takes you close to the glacier’s three main faces, views that are inaccessible on foot.
There are two main types of accommodation in Torres del Paine National Park: hotels and “refugios” (Spanish for mountain huts).
Central, Chileno, Cuernos, Francés, Paine Grande and Grey
At the refugios, there is always an adjacent campsite. If you’re hiking the W Trek independently, you can choose to reserve a campsite, a semi- or fully-equipped tent, or a bed in a shared dormitory inside the refugio. In some cases, it’s also possible to upgrade to a private room.
The w trek refugios offer basic but comfortable facilities, including meals, showers, restrooms, and small shops where you can buy snacks and essentials.
From the hotels, it’s possible to hike certain sections of the W Trek as day trips. However, if you want to complete the full route over multiple consecutive days, at least one overnight stay in a refugio or campsite is necessary, unless you arrange private transport between trailheads.
If you hike the W Trek with Cascada Expediciones, everything is taken care of: guides, meals, luggage transport, and accommodations.
You’ll spend several nights at EcoCamp Patagonia, our sustainable hotel within the park. Here, you’ll stay in a cozy dome. You can also socialize with fellow travelers in the community domes or join yoga sessions in the dedicated yoga dome.
Depending on whether you choose the 5-day or 7-day W Trek, you’ll also spend one or two nights in refugios such as Paine Grande, Los Cuernos, or Francés.
If you’re hiking the W Trek independently, you can choose to bring all your own food and cook at the campsites. In that case, it’s best to pack lightweight, high-energy ingredients such as oats, freeze-dried meals, soup, wraps, energy bars, nuts, and chocolate.
A second option is to reserve meals at the refugios. It’s highly recommended to book these well in advance, at the same time as your accommodation. Since the park is very remote, food at the refugios is simple but sufficient, typically including dishes like bread, soup, pasta, and meals with meat or beans.
You can also purchase snacks at each refugio.
If you hike the W Trek with Cascada Expediciones, all meals are included, so you don’t need to bring any food yourself. You’ll dine at the refugios and at EcoCamp Patagonia. At EcoCamp, you’ll enjoy a three-course gourmet meal, including an appetizer.
The W Trek is not a technical hike and does not require climbing skills. However, you’ll be hiking on a variety of terrains, including gravel, compact dirt, grass, and sections with large rocks.
While you don’t need to be a professional, some prior hiking experience is necessary. This will help you move comfortably with hiking boots, a light backpack, and trekking poles, even on uneven terrain, narrow paths, or when passing hikers coming from the opposite direction. It also helps to be accustomed to covering long distances and handling significant elevation gain.
Some days are long and physically demanding, particularly the French Valley and the Base of the Towers hikes. Both can involve up to 8-10 hours of hiking (round trip), so you should feel comfortable being on your feet for a full day and tackling steep ascents and descents. Endurance and stamina are key. To prepare physically, check out our guide on training for the W Trek.
Another important factor that affects difficulty is the weather. Conditions in Patagonia are unpredictable (see 'When is the best time to hike the W Trek?'), and wind and rain can make the hike more challenging. That’s why it’s essential to come well prepared with the right gear and clothing (see 'What should I pack for the W Trek?').
One thing you don’t need to worry about is altitude sickness. Compared to many other hiking destinations in South America, especially in the Andes, Patagonia is relatively low in altitude. The highest point of the W Trek is the Base of the Towers, at around 850 meters (2,788 ft) above sea level.
The best time to hike the W Trek is incredibly hard to define. The region’s notoriously unpredictable weather can change in the blink of an eye, and each season comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. With that in mind, it’s helpful to understand what “season” means in this context.
Peak season (December to February) brings the highest number of visitors to the trails. Viewpoints can be more crowded, which may impact the experience, but it’s also a great time to meet other travelers. Days are long, with up to 17 hours of daylight in summer. Prices are higher, and hotels and refugios tend to be very busy. You can generally expect warmer temperatures (10°C to 20°C / 50°F to 68°F), but also strong winds. Gusts of up to 150 km/h (95 mph) are not uncommon.
Shoulder season (November and March) is slightly less busy, although the park still sees a significant number of visitors. Temperatures typically range from 5°C to 15°C / 41°F to 59°F, with somewhat milder winds. In November, spring brings blooming trees and flowers. In March, early autumn offers beautiful colors, though rain and even snow are still possible.
Low season (September, October, April, and May) offers quieter trails, while many hotels remain open. Temperatures are cooler, especially at night, and weather conditions are more unpredictable.
Off-season (late May to August) corresponds to winter. Most hotels are closed, but it is still possible to hike the W Trek in winter with a certified guide. An excellent option if you’re looking for a more remote and adventurous experience in Patagonia!
For more details, read our full guide on when to visit Patagonia.
When it comes to clothing, it’s a good idea to follow the rule of the 3 layers. The weather is unpredictable so you must be able to remove or add a layer as quickly as the weather changes.
Base layer: For example, a short- or long-sleeve T-shirt. This layer sits directly on your skin and should keep you dry by wicking moisture away from your body. Choose breathable, quick-drying materials such as polyester or merino wool. Avoid cotton, as it retains moisture and can make you feel cold.
Mid layer: For example, a fleece or sweater. This insulating layer helps retain the body heat you generate while hiking.
Outer layer: For example, a lightweight waterproof jacket. This layer protects you from the elements, like strong winds and sudden rain. Look for a jacket that is both waterproof and breathable, so moisture from sweat can escape while keeping rain out.
You’ll often hear that you should “pack for four seasons”, which is true, but it’s equally important to pack as light as possible. The key is versatility: bringing a few well-chosen layers that you can easily combine depending on the conditions.
If you’re hiking independently and carrying all your gear and food, you’ll need a backpack of 60 to 80 liters. Ideally, choose a waterproof model or bring a rain cover for heavy showers.
If you’re not carrying food or camping equipment, or if your luggage is transported, you can opt for a smaller backpack of around 30 to 40 liters.
When you hike with Cascada Expediciones, you’ll only carry what you need during the day, such as your jacket, your lunch box, and your camera. Porters transport your toiletries, extra clothing, and sleeping gear.
W Trek packing list:
That’s entirely up to you: both options have their pros and cons.
If you choose to hike the W Trek independently, it’s relatively straightforward. The route is well-marked, and you’ll find plenty of information online about how to book accommodations and organize your trip. You can set your own pace and tailor the experience to your preferences. And if you’re looking for a social experience, you’ll easily meet other hikers along the trail.
However, hiking without a guide also means you’re fully responsible for handling any challenges on your own. In case of bad weather or injury, this can become difficult, or even risky.
That’s why many travelers choose a guided experience. A guide can greatly enrich your journey by sharing insights about the geology, wildlife, and history of Torres del Paine National Park, as well as pointing out hidden gems you might otherwise miss.
A W Trek guided tour is also more comfortable. When you hike with Cascada Expediciones, you’ll carry less weight (we assist with part of your luggage), and you won’t need to worry about logistics or meals. You’ll also benefit from the safety and support of an experienced guide.
You may not yet be familiar with the other famous trek in the park: the Torres del Paine Circuit, also known as the “O Trek.”
The O Trek is a full loop around the Paine Massif, offering remote and spectacular views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the less-visited backside of the park. It includes all sections of the W Trek, plus additional trails.
The main difference between the two treks is duration. The O Trek is typically a 9 or 10-day program with around 8 full hiking days, while the W Trek can be hiked in 4 days.
The O Trek is also more physically demanding. The total distance is approximately 131 km / 81 miles, compared to 71 km / 44 miles for the 7-day W Trek. It also includes at least one very long hiking day of up to 10–12 hours and features more challenging terrain.
Conclusion: The O Trek is best suited for experienced and adventurous hikers looking for a more remote and demanding challenge. The W Trek, on the other hand, is an excellent option if you have less time but are still looking for a spectacular experience.
You can explore a detailed comparison between the 5-day W Trek, 7-day W Trek, and the O Trek or read our full guide about the Paine Circuit.
You can book your W Trek in Patagonia with Cascada Expediciones through the following program pages:
One of our travel designers will then contact you to tailor the experience to your travel dates and preferences.
You can also reach out directly via email (reservations@cascada.travel), WhatsApp, or through the chat here on our website.