AnnaThe W Trek in Patagonia counts among the most popular hikes in South America, drawing thousands of visitors every year. The area offers breathtaking landscapes of glaciers, icy fjords and charismatic mountains; so it’s natural that both beginners and experienced hikers dream of completing it. Although it’s a multi-day and moderately strenuous trek, even people with little hiking experience can challenge themselves and enjoy the scenery. So here’s a comprehensive travel guide to help all of you beginner hikers tackle the W Trek!
Located in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, in the region of Magallanes, the W Trek takes hikers on an 80-kilometer (50-miles) journey. The nearest city is Puerto Natales, a small town that serves as the gateway to Torres del Paine.
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W Trek for beginners? | What to expect? | W Trek breakdown | Hikes off the main trail | Booking the campsites | What you’ll need | Tips for a cheap W Trek
Of course, Torres del Paine is on our list of best national parks in Chile!
Is W Trek suitable for beginner hikers?
In such a remote and unforgivingly wild part of the world, it’s normal to wonder whether the W Trek is suitable for beginner hikers. The answer is yes, but it does require a certain level of fitness and planning. We’re here to help you plan, but the fitness is up to you.
The W Trek is indeed a moderately challenging hike that involves steep climbs, long distances, and unpredictable weather conditions. However, with the right gear, training, and mindset, it is possible for beginners to successfully complete the trek.
What to expect on the trail
The W Trek is a 5-day, moderately difficult hike that is considered the jewel of Chilean Patagonia for its unspoiled, picturesque scenery. You will indeed marvel at glaciers, lakes, mountains, and immemorial forests.
Because of this, and its relatively short length, it’s pretty popular with hikers, so don’t expect to be alone. The trail is well-marked and maintained, and there are several campsites along the way. Some of them have small shops and a canteen – but meals have to be pre-booked together with the campsite.
The weather can be unpredictable, with rain, wind, and even snow possible at any time of year. Therefore, it’s essential to have clothing suited for all conditions. The good news is that there’s no high altitude involved on the W trek, so no need to acclimatize.
The W trek can easily be hiked without a guide in the summer months, from October to the end of April. Outside of this period (May to September) it’s still possible to hike it, but an organised tour is a must. In that period, definitely prepare for snow!
Besides the popular W trek, the other multi-day option in Torres del Paine is the O circuit, taking 8 days.
W Trek daily breakdown
The W trek is a linear trail (in the shape of a W – hence the name), that starts at either one of the two park entrances. Both directions are of equal difficulty. The one we detail below starts at Pudeto and exits at Laguna Amarga, conveniently leaving the trail’s highlight for the end.
But 1st of all, learn how to get to Torres del Paine National Park from Puerto Natales.
Day 1: Pudeto entrance to Grey campsite
On the first day, you won’t create the heavens and earth, but will rather take a catamaran across Lake Pehoe, and then hike to the Grey campsite, located near the Grey Glacier. It’s worth arriving early and taking a walk up to Glacier Grey; or alternatively, plan here an extra day for a hike along the glacier.
➔ The distance covered is approximately 11 km (6.8 miles), and it should take around 4-6 hours to complete.
Day 2: Grey campsite to Paine Grande
On the second day, you will hike from the Grey campsite to the Paine Grande campsite, located on the shore of Lake Pehoe. The path is relatively easy; you’ll hike mostly with a constant view of Lago Grey, which will be switched to Lago Pehoe at the end of the hike.
➔ The distance covered is approximately 12.5 km (7.8 miles), and it should take around 4-6 hours to complete.
Day 3: Paine Grande to Frances or Los Cuernos campsite, with a detour to Mirador Británico
On day three, you’ll hike to one of two campsites, depending on your preference: Frances or Los Cuernos. Along the way, we recommend taking a detour to the Mirador Britanico viewpoint, for stunning views of the Paine mountain range.
➔ The distance covered is approximately 20 km (12.4 miles), and it should take around 8-10 hours to complete.
Day 4: Frances or Los Cuernos to Central or El Chileno campsite
On day four, you’ll hike to either Central or El Chileno campsite, depending on your choice. Central is located a bit further from the base of the Towers (“las torres“) but is bigger; El Chileno offers a shorter hike to the Towers but fewer amenities (don’t worry, there are toilets). So if you are planning to watch the sunrise from the Las Torres viewpoint, choose El Chileno. The hike itself is moderate difficulty.
➔ The distance covered is approximately 14 km (8.7 miles), and it should take around 6-8 hours to complete.
Day 5: Hike up to Las Torres viewpoint, then exit the park at Laguna Amarga entrance
On the last day of the trek, you will finally hike to the base of the Towers. All your efforts will be rewarded as you witness the stunning 3-fingers granite rocks. Expect more hikers on the path, as this section is also a common day hike (lazy bums!).
You’ll then hike back down to the El Chileno / Central campsite and continue to the Laguna Amarga checkpoint to exit the park. There are steep sections on rocky terrain, so it’s again a strenuous day.
➔ The distance covered is approximately 18 km (11.2 miles), and it should take around 8-10 hours to complete.
Possible extension hikes off the main trail
Torres del Paine is one of the most beautiful corners of the world and it really triggers our love for the mountains! So if you have the time (and the money), we highly recommend you spend more time in the park and explore more views. Plus, you’ll probably enjoy this fascinating landscape with a bit less crowd.
In addition to the main W Trek, there are several day hikes that you can do off the main trail. These include:
- Glacier Grey: a 3-hour hike (one way) from Camp Grey to Glacier Grey, which is one of the highlights of Torres del Paine, so it’s worth extending your stay.
- Mirador Condor: a 3-hour hike (one way) from the Paine Grande campsite that offers stunning views of Lake Pehoe and the surrounding mountains.
- Mirador Británico: a 3.5-hour hike (one way) from the Italiano campsite that takes you to the top of the French Valley. The views from up there are some of the best in the park.
- Lago Nordenskjöld: a 2.5-hour hike (one way) from the Los Cuernos campsite that takes you along the shores of Nordenskjöld Lake.
And for more of a backcountry experience within the park, consider replacing the W trek with the 8-day O circuit.
Booking the campsites and entrance
If you plan to do the W Trek, it is essential to book your campsites months in advance. As in, at least half a year. We’re not kidding. The campsites are run by 2 companies and they fill up quickly, especially during peak season (December to February).
You can book directly on the Vertice Patagonia and Las Torres Patagonia websites. Alternatively, the most convenient way is to book them on the Torres Hike platform. It gives you a recommended route depending on how many days you want to stay on the trail; it also books all the campsites for you, charging an admin fee.
It is important to note that camping is the only form of accommodation available within the park. Wild camping is strictly forbidden.
Campsite booking can be an overall headache with so many options, so we wrote a full guide to Torres del Paine campsites to help you with the planning.
Apart from the campsites, the park entrance ticket also needs to be booked before your trip. You can book directly on the official national park’s CONAF website (in English).
Things you will need on the W trek
To complete the W Trek without crying to your momma every evening, you’ll need these essential items:
- A good quality backpack
- Hiking boots
- Warm clothing (including a waterproof jacket) – think in layers
- Sleeping bag for low temperatures (e.g. 2 degrees Celsius / 35 Fahrenheit)
- Tent
- Cookware and stove
- Water bottles or hydration system
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Personal hygiene items (toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc.)
- Power bank to charge your phone/camera
- Hiking poles – not essential but a great help in the uphill-downhill sections
Tips for the cheapest possible W trek
Sure, the W Trek can be an expensive adventure, but there are ways to make it more affordable. Trust a couple of veteran stingy travellers! Here are some tips based on our own experience:
- Travel during the shoulder season (October to November or March to end of April) when prices are lower and crowds are thinner.
- Bring your own gear.
- Or, if you’re missing something, rent gear in Puerto Natales instead of buying it.
- Bring your own food and cook your own meals at the campsites.
- Do the trek without a guide. It’s well-marked throughout so very easy to follow.
Do you know all the other amazing multi-day hikes in Patagonia, besides Torres del Paine? Check out our favourite 16 thru-hikes in Patagonia.
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Are you now convinced that YOU TOO can tackle the W Trek?
Share your experience with us in the comments!
