Torres del Paine National Park · Chile
Patagonia: Torres del Paine W Trek
The granite towers at dawn, the French Valley between hanging glaciers and the ice wall of Glacier Grey, walked end to end with nights in mountain refugios or campsites. Six days, four of them on the trail.
- 6 days
- $$$ Splurge
- Challenging
- Solo
- Couples
- Friends
- Mountains
- Nature
Day by day
The plan
Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.
- Day 1
Arrive in Puerto Natales
- 12:00
Fly or bus into Puerto Natales
Getting around
Fly direct to Puerto Natales in season, or land in Punta Arenas and take the bus north.
- 14:00
Stay in Puerto Natales
Stay
The gateway town on the Última Esperanza sound, full of gear shops and trekkers.
- 15:30
Gear check and supplies
Other
Rent poles or a stove if you need them and buy trail snacks; prices rise inside the park.
- 18:00
Waterfront walk
Activity
Black-necked swans and wide views across the water to the mountains.
- 19:30
Dinner: Patagonian lamb
Food & drink
Slow-roasted lamb is the regional dish, and a good last big meal before the trail.
- 12:00
- Day 2
Base of the Towers
- 07:30
Bus to the park and shuttle to the Central sector
Getting around
Early buses reach Laguna Amarga in about two hours, with a short shuttle on to the trailhead.
- 10:30
Hike up the Ascencio Valley
Activity
A steady climb through wind-bent beech forest along the river.
- 13:30
Packed lunch near the Chileno area
Food & drink
Rest and eat before the hardest part of the day.
- 15:00
Mirador Base Las Torres
Activity
The last hour is a steep scramble over boulders to the lake beneath the three towers.
- 20:00
Refugio or campsite in the Central sector
Stay
Back down the same trail to sleep near the park’s eastern entrance.
- 07:30
- Day 3
Along Lake Nordenskjöld
- 08:30
Trail west toward Los Cuernos
Activity
A rolling, shorter day above the turquoise lake, with time to recover your legs.
- 12:30
Packed lunch by the lake
Food & drink
Find a spot out of the wind among the rocks.
- 14:30
Beach below Los Cuernos
Activity
A pebble shore under the two-toned horns of the Paine massif.
- 17:00
Refugio or campsite at Los Cuernos
Stay
A small sector tucked under the peaks; bed and meals must be booked ahead.
- 08:30
- Day 4
The French Valley
- 07:30
Hike to the Italiano camp
Activity
Cross streams and open slopes to the mouth of the valley; leave heavy bags at the ranger post if allowed.
- 09:30
Mirador Francés
Activity
You hear the hanging glacier on Paine Grande cracking and calving across the valley.
- 11:00
Mirador Británico (if time and weather allow)
Activity
The head of the valley, ringed by granite walls. It adds several hours, so turn back if you are behind.
- 14:30
Packed lunch back at Italiano
Food & drink
Collect your bags and refuel for the last stretch.
- 19:00
Refugio or campsite at Paine Grande
Stay
On the shore of Lake Pehoé, the busiest stop on the W and the catamaran landing.
- 07:30
- Day 5
Glacier Grey
- 08:00
Trail north to Lake Grey
Activity
A climb past Laguna Los Patos to the first view of icebergs floating on the lake.
- 12:00
Glacier Grey lookout
Activity
The glacier’s blue front, part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
- 13:00
Lunch at the Grey sector
Food & drink
Warm up indoors or out of the wind before deciding how far to push.
- 14:30
Suspension bridges (optional)
Activity
Past the Grey sector, the trail crosses ravines on swaying bridges with the ice below.
- 18:00
Refugio or campsite at Grey
Stay
A quiet last night close to the ice.
- 08:00
- Day 6
Out by boat
- 08:00
Hike back to Paine Grande
Activity
The same trail in reverse, mostly downhill, with the lake in front of you.
- 12:00
Lunch at Paine Grande
Food & drink
Rest your legs while you wait for the boat.
- 13:30
Catamaran across Lake Pehoé
Getting around
A short crossing with the Cuernos straight ahead, landing at Pudeto.
- 15:00
Bus back to Puerto Natales
Getting around
Buses pick up at Pudeto and reach town by early evening.
- 19:30
Celebration dinner in Puerto Natales
Food & drink
King crab or lamb and a long night’s sleep.
- 08:00
Good to know
Tips
Book every night in advance
Rangers check that you have a booking for each refugio or campsite on the W, and summer fills months ahead. Buy the park entrance ticket online before you arrive.
Wind and four seasons a day
Gusts can be strong enough to knock you off balance, and sun, rain and sleet can come within hours. Pack a waterproof shell, warm layers, gloves and a hat even in January.
Fitness and direction
The towers day and the French Valley day are both long, with steep sections. Many hikers go east to west as here; going west to east leaves the towers for the final morning.
Fire and cash
Open fires are banned and stoves are only allowed in marked cooking areas; past fires burned large parts of the park. Carry some Chilean pesos, as card payment isn’t reliable everywhere on the trail.
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