×
W Trek

Chile🇨🇱 | hikesW TrekThree valleys, refugio stages, Francés amphitheater, Grey ice face | things to do and best time to go

Explore Torres del Paine CircuitExplore Dientes de Navarino

Backpacking in W Trek
🏆 Top pickhike ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The W is named for the shape its route traces on the map: three valleys (Torres, Francés, Grey) linked by one lakeside path. It sits in Torres del Paine National Park, in the Magallanes region of southern Chile, north of Puerto Natales. The reason it works is compression. Granite towers, a glacier and turquoise lakes sit within one trek of roughly 80 kilometers, and refugios mean you carry less than on a fully self-sufficient route. The trade-off is crowding on the main segments and wind that can slow you badly on exposed lake shores. Access is easy, since buses run from Puerto Natales to the park and a catamaran crosses Lago Pehoé. I once assumed the boat left whenever I arrived, missed the last sailing, and lost half a day. Now I plan each day around the schedule. Book every campsite and refugio before you go, because the park enforces reservations.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Chile Travel Guide.
Best time to go: October - April
Duration: 5 days
Distance: 80 kilometers
Total ascent: 2000 meters


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 hike in ChileWhat makes it a must-see hike

W Trek gives you three of Patagonia's headline sights in four or five days, without the logistics of the longer O Circuit. That compression is the main draw. You stand beneath the Torres del Paine granite towers, walk up a valley ringed by hanging glaciers, and finish at the ice face of Grey Glacier, all on maintained paths with marked distances.

The second reason is flexibility. Because refugios and campsites sit at regular intervals, you can run the route in either direction, shorten it to three days, or stretch it to six with side trips. Gear can also be rented at camps, so packing a lighter bag is realistic. For anyone crossing Chile and Argentina overland, the Puerto Natales gateway makes the W an easy detour from the main Patagonia route. It suits first-time multi-day hikers who want … read more 👉
W Trek gives you three of Patagonia's headline sights in four or five days, without the logistics of the longer O Circuit. That compression is the main draw. You stand beneath the Torres del Paine granite towers, walk up a valley ringed by hanging glaciers, and finish at the ice face of Grey Glacier, all on maintained paths with marked distances.

The second reason is flexibility. Because refugios and campsites sit at regular intervals, you can run the route in either direction, shorten it to three days, or stretch it to six with side trips. Gear can also be rented at camps, so packing a lighter bag is realistic. For anyone crossing Chile and Argentina overland, the Puerto Natales gateway makes the W an easy detour from the main Patagonia route. It suits first-time multi-day hikers who want a proper mountain challenge with a safety net, and veterans who want the famous sights without a week of commitment.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Mirador Base Las Torres: The three granite spires that define the park rise above a small glacial lagoon at the end of a steep climb. The final stretch is a boulder scramble, and the reward is a view that changes with the light. It is the sight most people hike the W to see.
  2. Valle del Francés: A side valley walled by granite peaks and hanging glaciers. From the viewpoint at the head of the valley you hear ice breaking and avalanches on the slopes. The upper Mirador Británico gives a full amphitheater of spires around you.
  3. Glaciar Grey: A wide river of blue ice flowing off the Southern Patagonian Ice Field into Lago Grey. Viewpoints along the trail look straight onto the glacier face, and icebergs drift in the lake below. The suspension bridges near the end of the trail add a touch of drama.
  4. Lago
… read more 👉
  1. Mirador Base Las Torres: The three granite spires that define the park rise above a small glacial lagoon at the end of a steep climb. The final stretch is a boulder scramble, and the reward is a view that changes with the light. It is the sight most people hike the W to see.
  2. Valle del Francés: A side valley walled by granite peaks and hanging glaciers. From the viewpoint at the head of the valley you hear ice breaking and avalanches on the slopes. The upper Mirador Británico gives a full amphitheater of spires around you.
  3. Glaciar Grey: A wide river of blue ice flowing off the Southern Patagonian Ice Field into Lago Grey. Viewpoints along the trail look straight onto the glacier face, and icebergs drift in the lake below. The suspension bridges near the end of the trail add a touch of drama.
  4. Lago Nordenskjöld and Los Cuernos: The trail follows this milky blue lake beneath the banded dark and pale rock of Los Cuernos (the Horns). Expect rolling ground and strong wind. Beach-like shores make good rest spots when the weather allows.
  5. Lago Pehoé and Salto Grande: A short side path leads to a loud waterfall linking Lago Nordenskjöld to Lago Pehoé. Beyond it, the lake's electric turquoise water and the Cuernos behind it make one of the best photo backdrops on the route.
Lago Nordenskjöld and Valle del Francés combine well in one day, since the lakeside trail leads straight to the valley turnoff.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near W Trek

Cerro Castillo Horseback Ride & Patagonian BBQ

Cerro Castillo Horseback Ride & Patagonian BBQ

0.0(0) 6h
From €135
per personViator
Rock Climbing Day Villa Cerro Castillo, Chilean Patagonia

Rock Climbing Day Villa Cerro Castillo, Chilean Patagonia

0.0(0) 5h
From €82
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to hike the W Trek

  • Peak Summer (December to February): Highs of 12 to 18°C (54 to 64°F), lows of 3 to 6°C (37 to 43°F), and about 17 hours of daylight. Campsites and refugios in Torres del Paine book out months ahead, and prices are at their highest, with Paine Grande and Grey beds often running US$70 to 150.
  • Shoulder Months (October to November, March to April): Temperatures run 5 to 15°C (41 to 59°F). Crowds thin, March brings red lenga forest and autumn color, and daylight stretches 11 to 14 hours. Some refugios open late or close early, and wind remains strong.
  • Winter (May to September): Highs of 0 to 6°C (32 to 43°F), only 7 to 8 hours of light, and snow on the trail. Most camps are closed, and the park has no full services, so this is for experienced winter trekkers.
  • Wind and Rain: Gusts above 100 km/h (62
… read more 👉
  • Peak Summer (December to February): Highs of 12 to 18°C (54 to 64°F), lows of 3 to 6°C (37 to 43°F), and about 17 hours of daylight. Campsites and refugios in Torres del Paine book out months ahead, and prices are at their highest, with Paine Grande and Grey beds often running US$70 to 150.
  • Shoulder Months (October to November, March to April): Temperatures run 5 to 15°C (41 to 59°F). Crowds thin, March brings red lenga forest and autumn color, and daylight stretches 11 to 14 hours. Some refugios open late or close early, and wind remains strong.
  • Winter (May to September): Highs of 0 to 6°C (32 to 43°F), only 7 to 8 hours of light, and snow on the trail. Most camps are closed, and the park has no full services, so this is for experienced winter trekkers.
  • Wind and Rain: Gusts above 100 km/h (62 mph) can hit in spring and summer, and rain can fall in any month.
I would book for early to mid March if your dates are flexible, because the trail is calmer and beds are easier to find.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
Chile - the W Trek

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutChile Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
The digital guide (333 pages) contains:
✅ 107 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Chile


Best quality hotels in Chile

🥾 Hike detailsA practical overview of the hike

Total Distance: W Trek covers roughly 76 to 80 kilometers one way, depending on direction and side trips.
Estimated Duration: Four to five days is standard; three is possible for strong hikers, six is comfortable.
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding. Daily distances are fair, but wind, rocky climbs and changeable weather add effort.
Starting Point: Two usual options.
  • Torres end: Buses run from Puerto Natales to the park entrance, with a shuttle onward to the trailhead near Hotel Las Torres.
  • Grey end: Buses reach Pudeto, where a catamaran crosses Lago Pehoé to Paine Grande. Check the sailing schedule
… read more 👉
Total Distance: W Trek covers roughly 76 to 80 kilometers one way, depending on direction and side trips.
Estimated Duration: Four to five days is standard; three is possible for strong hikers, six is comfortable.
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding. Daily distances are fair, but wind, rocky climbs and changeable weather add effort.
Starting Point: Two usual options.
  • Torres end: Buses run from Puerto Natales to the park entrance, with a shuttle onward to the trailhead near Hotel Las Torres.
  • Grey end: Buses reach Pudeto, where a catamaran crosses Lago Pehoé to Paine Grande. Check the sailing schedule before planning.
Major Landmarks:
  • Mirador Base Las Torres: A climb of about 900 meters from the valley floor.
  • Valle del Francés and Mirador Británico: The central spur of the W.
  • Lago Nordenskjöld: A long shoreline stretch with exposure to wind.
  • Lago Pehoé and Paine Grande: The hub for catamaran and camping.
  • Mirador Grey and Glaciar Grey: The western endpoint.
Terrain and Scenery: Rocky paths, boulder fields, gravel, forest tracks and lakeshore trails. Views switch between granite towers, glaciers and wide turquoise lakes.
Vegetation: Lenga and ñire southern beech forests, calafate shrubs, mossy understory and open Patagonian steppe grasses.
Wildlife: Guanacos graze the open slopes, Andean condors ride the thermals, and foxes, rheas and many birds turn up near camps. Pumas and the rare huemul deer live in the park but are seldom seen.
Practical Notes: Campsites and refugios must be reserved ahead. Pack layers and waterproofs, since four seasons can arrive in a single afternoon.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

W Trek is a well-marked, busy route, and most problems come from weather rather than danger. Wind is the main hazard: gusts at Paso de los Vientos and along Lago Nordenskjöld can knock you sideways, so keep trekking poles handy and stay off exposed ridges in the worst blasts. Expect four seasons in one day, so pack waterproof layers, a warm hat, and gloves even in January. Footing is rocky and steep on the climbs to Mirador Base Torres and French Valley, with a few narrow sections and suspension bridges that allow only a limited number of people at once. Streams are generally drinkable from the source, though you should avoid water near campsites. Pumas live in the park but rarely approach hikers. Keep your distance, never feed foxes, and store food properly. Travelers often underestimate … read more 👉
W Trek is a well-marked, busy route, and most problems come from weather rather than danger. Wind is the main hazard: gusts at Paso de los Vientos and along Lago Nordenskjöld can knock you sideways, so keep trekking poles handy and stay off exposed ridges in the worst blasts. Expect four seasons in one day, so pack waterproof layers, a warm hat, and gloves even in January. Footing is rocky and steep on the climbs to Mirador Base Torres and French Valley, with a few narrow sections and suspension bridges that allow only a limited number of people at once. Streams are generally drinkable from the source, though you should avoid water near campsites. Pumas live in the park but rarely approach hikers. Keep your distance, never feed foxes, and store food properly. Travelers often underestimate the distances, with 11 to 22 km days, so start early and carry your reservations and passport, since rangers check them.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

W Trek usually takes 4 to 5 days when hiked from east to west or the reverse, covering about 80 km (50 miles). The classic route links Base Torres, French Valley, and Grey Glacier, with stops at Chileno or Las Torres, Los Cuernos, Paine Grande, and Grey. Fit hikers can compress it into 3 days, though most prefer 5 for rest and weather buffers.
W Trek is moderate, and most fit hikers with some trekking experience can finish it. Days run 11 to 22 km (7 to 14 miles), with the steepest climb being the last stretch up to Mirador Base Torres, a rocky ascent of about 3 hours. The main challenge is wind and unstable weather rather than altitude, since the highest point is only about 900 m (2,950 ft).
No guide is needed because the trail is well marked, but reservations are required for every night at camps and refugios, booked through Vertice Patagonia, Las Torres Patagonia (formerly Fantástico Sur), or CONAF. Park entry costs about US$37 to 50 for foreigners, depending on season, and is purchased online or at the gate. Camping runs from US$15 to 40 per night in private campsites, while refugio beds with meals can exceed US$150, so reserve several months ahead for peak season.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Chilean hikes near W Trek

Explore more nearby:

  • Torres del Paine Circuit—Full circuit, John Gardner Pass, booked campsites, backside solitude
  • Cerro Castillo—Lenga forest traverse, turquoise lagoon, serrated volcanic ridge, Paso Peñón| 558 km away
  • Dientes de Navarino—Southernmost circuit, jagged dark teeth, scree passes, no huts| 569 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Chile including W Trek and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all hikes

Or checkout all Chile has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Chile
Country photo of Chile
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on hiking the W Trek

Go in the austral summer, and hike each day starting early. Mornings tend to be calmer and the Torres towers often glow at first light, while afternoon winds along the lakes can be punishing. I would carry a windproof shell regardless of the forecast, and I would skip the busiest viewpoint hours by moving off before the crowds.

✈️ When did I visit Chile?
I have visited Chile, together with Argentina, in September 2012.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Chile, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story