W Hike in Patagonia
All you need to know to experience one of the world's most spectacular hiking trails: Torres del Paine W Trek.
All you need to know to experience one of the world's most spectacular hiking trails: Torres del Paine W Trek.
Named for its W-shaped route, this world-famous trek takes you through the most breathtaking landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia.
The W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park is Patagonia's most iconic hike. Stretching approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers), this self-guided trek takes you through diverse ecosystems, offering unparalleled views of glaciers, turquoise lakes, granite peaks, and diverse wildlife.
As you hike the W route, you'll witness the three major highlights of the park: the stunning Torres del Paine granite towers, the magnificent French Valley, and the impressive Grey Glacier, part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Named for its W-shaped path when viewed on a map, this trek can be completed in 5 to 6 days, making it accessible to reasonably fit hikers while still providing the adventure of a lifetime.
One of the best parts of the experience is the accommodation itself. Whether you choose to stay in campsites or cozy mountain lodges, also called “refugios”, all lodging options include full board meals and all necessary equipment, so you don’t have to carry extra gear. The common areas feature a dining room and a bar, making it easy to unwind after a day on the trail and connect with other travelers from around the world.
The complete W circuit covers approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) of diverse terrain with a total elevation gain of around 8,200 feet (2,500 meters). Most hikers take about 5 days to complete the route.
Suitable for reasonably fit hikers with some trekking experience. This is a self-guided trail with well-marked paths and no technically difficult sections. The route can also be adjusted in certain parts to shorten the distance if needed.
The optimal hiking season is from November to March (Patagonian summer), with December to February offering the warmest weather and marking the peak season. The full route is only available from October to April, as most accommodations close during the winter months.
The classic W route takes you through three spectacular valleys, forming the iconic W shape that gives this trek its name. Along these valleys, you’ll find a total of six different accommodations, which is why the W Trek can be done in various durations, with the 5-day itinerary being the most popular option.
The W Trek can be hiked in either direction:
The famous Grey Glacier Viewpoint is one of the highlights of the W Hike Patagonia. You can access it from either the Grey Sector or Paine Grande. From here, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views over the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
The entire valley is dominated by the massive Grey Glacier, which flows into Lake Grey, where countless icebergs drift after calving from the glacier’s towering face.
If you keep hiking along the trail, you’ll reach three impressive suspension bridges that offer an even better perspective of the glacier’s scale and the surrounding wilderness.
The French Valley is one of the main highlights you’ll explore during the middle days of the W Hike Patagonia. Most hikers access this area from the Frances or Cuernos Sectors, though if you hike the circuit counterclockwise, you’ll approach it from Paine Grande.
While the majority of trekkers stop at the French Lookout, you can continue farther along the trail to reach the Británico Lookout. Both viewpoints offer incredible panoramas of the Cuernos del Paine peaks, snow-covered summits, and hanging glaciers cascading down the cliffs.
Base Torres is the most iconic and photographed part of Torres del Paine National Park, and it’s an essential highlight on any W Hike Patagonia itinerary. This famous viewpoint can be reached from the Central or Chileno Sectors.
The trail leads you to the foot of the park’s three towering granite spires, rising dramatically above a turquoise glacial lake. The scene is unforgettable, especially at sunrise when the first rays of light turn the peaks brilliant shades of pink and orange.
The hike to Base Torres is challenging, with a steep final ascent through the old glacial moraine, but the effort is rewarded with one of the most breathtaking views in Patagonia.
The W Hike in Patagonia is one of the most spectacular hikes in the world—and also one of the most unpredictable when it comes to weather. You can experience all four seasons in a single day, with strong winds, sudden rain, and bright sunshine all in a matter of hours. This W Trek Patagonia packing list will help you prepare for every condition, stay comfortable on the trail, and keep your gear organized from start to finish.
Overall, the W Trek Patagonia is considered a moderate to challenging multi-day hike, but it’s absolutely achievable for most people with a good fitness level and some prior hiking experience. To prepare, it’s best to start training two to three months before your trip. Here are some helpful tips.
These are the type of accommodations available during your W Hike in Torres del Paine
During the W Hike Patagonia, you’ll find cozy mountain huts (refugios) conveniently located in the Central, Cuernos, Francés, Paine Grande, and Grey sectors.
These refugios offer dormitory-style accommodations with bunk beds and mattresses, ideal for resting after a long day on the trail. You could consider these refugios more like mountain hostels rather than basic huts, as they offer a higher level of comfort compared to mountain huts in other regions, including spacious common areas.
Facilities included
* Perfect for those wanting to hike with a lighter pack and enjoy basic comforts.
During the W Hike Patagonia, you’ll also find designated campsites located near the refugios. These offer pre-assembled tents ready for your arrival, making it easy to experience the outdoors without carrying all your own gear.
In Chileno, Central, Cuernos, and Francés, you’ll stay in spacious safari-style glamping tents elevated nearly 6 feet off the ground for extra comfort and protection. In Paine Grande and Grey, the tents are standard models set up on wooden platforms to keep you off the cold ground.
Facilities included
* The most economical option, allowing for a more immersive wilderness experience. All tents are designed for two people and include a sleeping bag. If you’re traveling solo or as part of an odd-numbered group, there is an additional fee, as the tent will not be shared with other hikers.
For those seeking premium comfort during the W Hike Patagonia, several luxury lodges are located either near the park boundaries or close to the Central sector. Unlike staying in mountain huts or campgrounds, you’ll return to the same accommodation every night. These high-end lodges offer a refined base to discover Patagonia without giving up any comforts.
Facilities included
* Staying in a luxury lodge is the perfect option if you want to experience the dramatic landscapes of the W Hike while relaxing each evening in a warm, elegant setting. Your experience will be more like a series of daily hikes and guided excursions, rather than completing the full multi-day route on foot.
To book the W Hike, you’ll need to secure different reservations in advance. This route is extremely popular, and spots during the high season often sell out months ahead. To avoid the complexity of booking each night, park entrance and transfer separately, we recommend to reserve a complete package that includes all services. This is the easiest way to ensure everything is confirmed in one reservation.
Las Torres Patagonia (formerly Fantástico Sur) manages the refugios and campsites in the Central, Chileno, Cuernos, and Frances sectors, while Vertice Travel operates Paine Grande and Grey. This comes with a number of disadvantages.
Since they manage different accommodations along the route, they try to keep most of the stays at their own places, even if the resulting itinerary is not optimal. They also apply additional costs when booking each other's accommodations.
If you’re traveling alone, the camping supplement in Las Torres Patagonia’s accommodations is very high—often nearly double the regular rate. Vertice Travel uses traditional tents (not glamping-style safari tents), so their solo traveler surcharge is generally lower.
Las Torres Patagonia generally does not allow customizations, such as adding an extra night, and when they do, a significant surcharge usually applies. Vertice Travel is more flexible, especially when staying in their own accommodations.
They combine services from Las Torres and Vertice Travel. Since they work with both companies and know their rates and policies, they can offer you the best deal without any conflict of interest. We consider Howlanders the best choice out there mainly for this reasons
They have done the W Hike, know the route in detail and can help you plan every aspect of your trip with real, first-hand knowledge
Unlike booking separately with multiple operators—who will always prioritize their own refugios—Howlanders can offer you the best combination of lodgings to create the most optimal itinerary, not simply the most convenient for them
Since Howlanders collaborates with both Las Torres and Vertice Travel, they know exactly who offers the best price depending on your itinerary and accommodation type, so they always provide you with the lowest available rate between both options.
As you’ve seen, booking the W Trek Patagonia involves coordinating many services. Before delivering all the documentation, Howlanders team reviews everything to ensure there are no mistakes.
Explore the breathtaking landscapes you'll encounter on the W Hike in Patagonia.
The iconic three granite towers that give the park its name
The distinctive "horns" feature dark granite caps over pale granite
Massive ice field with stunning blue ice formations
Surrounded by towering peaks and hanging glaciers
Stunning turquoise lake with mountain reflections
Guanacos and other wildlife inhabit the park
Hikers enjoying the spectacular W Trek trails
Camping under the stars in this pristine wilderness
Refugios offer a range of amenities to help you rest after a long hike
Common questions about the W Hike in Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park.
Yes, during the summer season (October to April) many hikers complete the W Trek independently every year. The trails are well-defined and clearly marked with signposts and colored stakes, so navigation is generally straightforward.
There are two main reasons why some travelers choose to hire a guide: to ensure they stay on the correct route and to enrich their experience with the guide’s knowledge about the landscape, wildlife, and local history. However, keep in mind that hiring a guide comes at a higher cost, as you’ll also be covering their accommodation expenses throughout the hike.
During the winter months, the Chilean National Forest Corporation (CONAF) requires all visitors to be accompanied by a certified guide for safety reasons. Weather conditions are much more severe and unpredictable at this time of year, so independent trekking is not permitted.
Most travelers first make their way to Puerto Natales, the closest town to the park. You have a couple of options to get there:
Once you’re in Puerto Natales, you can take a bus to the park. Regular buses run to different entrances:
Some travelers also arrive directly from El Calafate, Argentina. You can either join a full-day tour to Torres del Paine (and choose not to return with the group) or book a private transfer.
You need to pay the Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee upon arrival. This fee varies by season and nationality but is typically around $30-45 USD for foreign visitors. The entrance ticket is valid for the duration of your stay in the park.
You don't need a specific hiking permit for the W Trek, but you must have proof of all accommodation reservations before entering the park. Rangers will check your reservations at the entrance and may also verify them at checkpoints along the trail.
Many hikers do drink directly from streams in Torres del Paine, as the water is generally considered clean due to its glacial origin. However, to be safe, it's recommended to:
All refugios provide potable water, so you can also refill at these locations during your trek.
The W Trek and O Circuit are the two main hiking routes in Torres del Paine:
The O Circuit must be hiked counterclockwise and requires more self-sufficiency, as facilities are more limited on the northern section.
There is no regular cell phone coverage throughout Torres del Paine National Park, so you should expect to be offline during most of the W Trek Patagonia.
However, some refugios along the trail offer paid satellite internet access. You can purchase a limited connection directly at the refugio, but keep in mind that it is usually quite expensive and not very fast. For this reason, most hikers choose to buy just one hour of connection to check messages or share an update before disconnecting again.