Last updated September 27, 2026
W Trek Torres del Paine 2026: The Complete Route, Stages & Booking Guide
The W Trek connects the three landscapes that define Torres del Paine: Grey Glacier, French Valley and Mirador Base Torres. Most complete itineraries require four or five hiking days and roughly 70–80 kilometers depending on direction, overnight sectors and how far you explore Grey and French Valley. The hiking is only half the planning: the route also requires the correct sequence of refugio or campsite reservations, park entry and transport at opposite ends.
What Is the W Trek in Torres del Paine?
The W Trek is a point-to-point multi-day route across the southern side of the Paine Massif. Its three northbound arms reach Grey Glacier, French Valley and Base Torres, creating a rough W shape when viewed on a map.
Chile’s official tourism itinerary describes the classic W as about 70 km over five days. Real-world totals commonly reach the mid-70s or around 80 km because hikers use different refugios, extend farther toward Grey, reach Mirador Británico, begin at slightly different transport points or add short side trips.
For most first-time visitors, the ideal plan is five days rather than four. Five days gives each of the three signature arms a real place in the itinerary and reduces the need to combine transport deadlines with the hardest hiking.
CONAF removed the temporary mandatory accredited-guide requirement for the W Trek effective September 16, 2026. Some sectors still retain winter-like conditions, and microspikes or trekking poles may be recommended or required according to actual trail conditions.
The route crosses accommodation operated by separate concessionaires. Vértice operates the Grey and Paine Grande sectors; Las Torres operates the eastern/central sectors including Francés, Cuernos, Chileno and Central. Confirm the complete sequence before committing individual nights.
West-to-East or East-to-West?
The W can be walked in either direction. Accommodation availability may ultimately make the decision for you, but each direction creates a different trip.
West → East
Enter through Pudeto and the Lake Pehoé catamaran to Paine Grande, visit Grey first, then cross French Valley and finish at Base Torres.
Best feature: saves the famous towers for the climactic final day and creates a natural progression from glacier to granite.
East → West
Begin around Central / Hotel Las Torres, hike Base Torres early, continue past Lago Nordenskjöld through Francés or Cuernos, cross French Valley and finish with Grey.
Best feature: tackles the hardest iconic ascent while legs are freshest and makes Grey or the Pehoé catamaran the finish.
Do not choose direction before checking accommodation.
On a fixed-date trip, the available overnight sequence is more important than a theoretical “best” direction. Search Chileno, Francés/Cuernos, Paine Grande and Grey as one chain before buying isolated nights.
The Famous Towers Are a Full Mountain Day, Not a Short Scenic Detour.
The route climbs through the Ascencio Valley and lenga forest before a steep final moraine leads to the glacial lake beneath the three granite towers.
Photo: Maria Jose Varela / Wikimedia CommonsW Trek Route Map
This orientation map shows the western Grey arm, central French Valley arm and eastern Base Torres arm plus the overnight sectors connecting them.
The Complete 5-Day W Trek
This is a planning framework, not a promise that every named bed will be available. Reverse it when the reservation sequence works better east-to-west.
Pudeto → Paine Grande → Grey
Travel from Puerto Natales to Pudeto, cross Lago Pehoé by catamaran and begin hiking north from Paine Grande. CONAF lists the complete Paine Grande–Grey section at approximately 11 km and 3.5 hours one way.
Grey Glacier becomes visible before the refugio, but sleeping in the Grey sector positions you for a closer glacier experience and removes the need to race back for the same-day boat.
Grey → Optional Upper Viewpoints → Paine Grande
Strong hikers can use the morning for one of the upper Grey viewpoints or suspension-bridge sectors before turning south. Then retrace the 11 km corridor to Paine Grande.
If the previous day was already long or the weather is poor, skip the extra northern mileage. Grey itself is already one of the W’s three defining landscapes.
Paine Grande → Italiano → French Valley → Francés / Cuernos
CONAF lists Paine Grande to Italiano at 7.5 km and approximately 2.5 hours. Leave the main W corridor at Italiano and climb north into French Valley.
Mirador Francés provides the major hanging-glacier view. Continue to Mirador Británico when weather, energy and the official cutoff still provide enough margin. CONAF lists Italiano–Británico at 5.4 km one way and approximately three hours uphill.
Return to Italiano, collect your main pack if it has been stored there according to current rules, then continue toward Francés or Los Cuernos.
Francés / Cuernos → Central or Chileno
Follow the W east beneath Los Cuernos and along Lago Nordenskjöld. CONAF lists Italiano–Los Cuernos at 5 km and Los Cuernos–Hotel Las Torres at 11.6 km.
Central is the simpler overnight for many itineraries. Chileno can improve a very early Base Torres start when available, but it should not be treated as mandatory for completing the W.
Mirador Base Torres → Exit → Puerto Natales
Finish with the eastern arm. From the Las Torres sector, the route climbs through Ascencio Valley to Chileno, continues through forest, then tackles the steep final moraine to Mirador Base Torres.
Return to the Central / Welcome Center side, connect with current park transport and continue to Puerto Natales.
The W Is More Than Three Famous Viewpoints.
The trail beneath the Cuernos and along Lago Nordenskjöld is what turns three separate hikes into one continuous journey across the southern face of the Paine Massif.
Photo: amanderson2 / Wikimedia CommonsCan You Do the W Trek in 4 Days?
Yes. Current concessionaire programs sell four-day W itineraries, but shortening the trek means combining objectives or reducing how deeply you explore one arm.
| Day | Typical objective | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base Torres or Grey depending on direction | Major hiking begins immediately after park access |
| 2 | Long connecting stage | Less recovery time and fewer optional side trips |
| 3 | French Valley | Británico becomes more dependent on pace and weather |
| 4 | Final major arm + park exit | Transport timing shares the day with substantial hiking |
Five days gives the W breathing room. Four days makes it efficient.
Choose four when Patagonia is part of a larger itinerary and you need to protect days for El Chaltén, Aysén or another region. Choose five when Torres del Paine is the centerpiece of the trip.
French Valley Is the Day Where the W Becomes a Timing Problem.
The hike to Británico adds substantial out-and-back mileage to an already meaningful traverse between overnight sectors. Mirador Francés should remain a successful turnaround when cloud, wind or the clock removes the value of continuing.
Photo: AndrewDeAngelo / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0How to Book the W Trek Without Breaking the Route
The W crosses accommodation inventory operated by more than one concessionaire. Search the route as one sequence before paying for isolated nights.
Vértice
Grey and Paine Grande are the principal Vértice W Trek sectors. These nights control the western glacier arm and the Lago Pehoé transport connection.
Las Torres
Francés, Cuernos, Chileno and Central / Las Torres anchor the middle and eastern portions of the W.
CONAF / Pases Parques
The park ticket is separate from your trail accommodation unless a package explicitly states that entrance is included.
Choose a date window, not one sacred start date.
Give yourself several possible starting dates whenever flights and work schedules allow it.
Search the hardest eastern nights first.
Check Chileno and Francés/Cuernos availability, then build the remainder of the sequence around what actually exists.
Match Grey and Paine Grande to those dates.
Do not buy western nights that cannot connect to the eastern concession sequence.
Confirm transport at both ends.
West-side itineraries depend on Pudeto / Lago Pehoé access. East-side itineraries depend on the Las Torres / Laguna Amarga transport chain.
Then buy the park entry.
For a normal five-day foreign-adult visit in 2026, the current greater-than-two-day rate is CLP 48,500.
Where Do You Sleep on the W Trek?
Your accommodation model changes pack weight, cost and booking difficulty more than almost any other choice.
| Sector | Role on the W | Operator | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grey | Western glacier base | Vértice | Grey overnight, bridges, kayak or ice-hike base |
| Paine Grande | Western transport / route hub | Vértice | Pehoé catamaran + Grey/French connection |
| Francés | Central W overnight | Las Torres | French Valley positioning |
| Los Cuernos | Nordenskjöld / Cuernos overnight | Las Torres | Alternative to Francés |
| Central | Eastern W base | Las Torres | Base Torres + park exit |
| Chileno | Ascencio Valley overnight | Las Torres | Strong positioning for an early Base Torres start |
Use authorized campground or refugio sectors. The W is not a route where you solve a missing reservation by pitching a tent beside the trail.
The W Begins—or Ends—at the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
The trail north from Paine Grande reveals Lago Grey first, then icebergs and the glacier itself. Staying at Grey opens access to higher viewpoints and glacier activities that do not fit comfortably into every short W.
Photo via Wikimedia CommonsW Trek Trail Closing Times
Treat these as maximum control times, not recommended arrival targets. Rangers can restrict travel earlier because of weather or trail conditions.
| Trail section | Current published closing time | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Grey ↔ Paine Grande | 16:00 from Grey toward Paine Grande | Controls late Grey departures and boat connections |
| Paine Grande ↔ Italiano | 18:30 | Main west/central W corridor |
| Italiano ↔ Mirador Británico | 15:00 | Critical French Valley decision time |
| Italiano ↔ Francés | 19:00 | Overnight connection after French Valley |
| Italiano ↔ Los Cuernos | 17:00 | Important for eastbound French Valley days |
| Chileno ↔ Torres sector | 18:00 | Eastern W access |
| Torres sector ↔ Mirador Base Torres | 18:00 | Final moraine / viewpoint control |
High wind, snow, flooding, maintenance or other hazards can cause earlier restrictions. Check current CONAF notices and ranger instructions during the trek.
Extra Grey Mileage Is Valuable—But It Is Still Extra Mileage.
The suspension-bridge sector north of Refugio Grey creates one of the strongest elevated glacier perspectives on the W. It fits best when you sleep at Grey rather than trying to force it into a transport day.
Photo via Wikimedia CommonsHow Much Does the W Trek Cost?
There is no single W Trek price. Camping, refugio beds, meals, transportation, guide support and whether you buy a package radically change the total.
Camping · ~$1,640–$1,707+
Current 2026–27 five-day packaged programs from the principal concessionaires begin around this range for equipped or supported camping, depending on program and inclusions.
Mountain Stay / Refugio · ~$2,070+
Current five-day shared mountain-stay/refugio programs begin around the low-$2,000 range before private guiding or premium upgrades.
48,500 CLP
Current 2026 foreign-adult admission for a visit longer than two days. This may already be included in some packaged programs.
A price may include pre-pitched tents, sleeping bags, meals, buses, park entry or the Pehoé catamaran—or none of them. Compare the complete trip system rather than the headline number.
The W Makes More Sense When You Understand the Geography.
Grey, French and Ascencio are separate mountain valleys connected by the southern trail corridor. That geography explains the mileage, the repeated out-and-back arms and why accommodation placement matters so much.
Image: NASA / Wikimedia Commons · Public domainBest Time to Hike the W Trek
October through April is the broad practical trekking season, with December through March providing the simplest service and daylight framework.
Spring
Longening days and full-season services return, but snow can persist and spring wind can be severe.
Peak Summer
Long daylight and the broadest transport/refugio operation. Also the highest booking pressure.
Autumn
Cooler temperatures and autumn color can be excellent, but daylight shortens and snow becomes increasingly possible.
In 2026 CONAF closed the W during June and July, then operated it under special winter controls before normal self-guided access returned on September 16. Never apply a January itinerary to a winter trip without checking the current CONAF operating protocol.
Should You Hike the W Trek Self-Guided?
In normal summer operation, experienced hikers can complete the W independently. The real question is how much planning and weather decision-making you want to own.
Self-Guided
Strong fit for experienced hikers comfortable with established trails, several long consecutive days, mountain weather and managing reservations across multiple providers.
Guided
Strong fit for first multi-day trekkers, shoulder-season travelers, groups wanting logistical simplicity, or anyone who values local interpretation and shared decision-making more than independence.
A guide is not presently mandatory on the W solely because of the seasonal 2026 winter restriction. CONAF can still impose temporary requirements or closures when conditions justify them.
How to Plan the W Trek in Seven Steps
The booking order matters. Solve the scarce trail nights before allowing flights or hotels to lock the itinerary.
Choose four or five days.
Use five when the W is the trip’s centerpiece; use four when the W must coexist with other Patagonia regions.
Check both directions.
Search west-to-east and east-to-west before deciding that one direction is mandatory.
Build the overnight chain.
Match Grey/Paine Grande with Francés/Cuernos and Central/Chileno before paying non-refundable components.
Confirm access transport.
Verify the live Lago Pehoé boat schedule and the current east-side park transport for your exact itinerary.
Buy the correct park pass.
Purchase through the official system unless your package explicitly includes admission.
Match your pack to the sleeping model.
A refugio trek can use a substantially smaller pack than a trek carrying tent, sleep system and all meals.
Recheck CONAF immediately before departure.
Guide rules, snow, closing times, high wind and temporary trail restrictions can change after the trip is booked.
How This W Trek Guide Was Checked
CONAF controls access and trail rules. Vértice and Las Torres control much of the on-trail lodging inventory. Transport, prices and availability should be treated as changing trip logistics.
Refugio availability, boat schedules, trail closures, weather, equipment requirements and prices can change. Current CONAF and concessionaire information should override this guide when they differ.
W Trek Torres del Paine FAQ
The questions that determine the route, reservations, cost and actual difficulty of the trek.
How long is the W Trek in Torres del Paine?
Chile Travel describes the classic W as approximately 70 km. Real-world itineraries commonly total roughly 70–80 km depending on accommodation locations, Grey extensions, French Valley turnaround and other route variants.
How many days do you need for the W Trek?
Four to five days is normal. Five days gives the strongest balance for experiencing Grey Glacier, French Valley and Base Torres without compressing every major objective into a transport-heavy schedule.
Which direction should I hike the W Trek?
Both directions work. West-to-east saves Base Torres for the final day; east-to-west tackles Base Torres early and finishes around Grey. Accommodation availability should influence the decision.
Do you need a guide for the W Trek in 2026?
As of September 16, 2026, CONAF no longer requires an accredited guide solely because of the temporary seasonal rule on the W. Conditions can still trigger equipment requirements, temporary restrictions or closures.
Can you hike the W Trek self-guided?
Yes during normal self-guided operation. Experienced hikers commonly walk the W independently, but they still need the correct accommodation, park-entry and transport reservations.
Do you need reservations for the W Trek?
Yes for overnight accommodation. The route crosses several refugio and campground sectors, and travelers should confirm the complete night-by-night sequence before entering.
What are the three main highlights of the W Trek?
Grey Glacier forms the western arm, French Valley and Mirador Británico form the central arm, and Mirador Base Torres forms the eastern arm.
Where should I sleep on a five-day W Trek?
A west-to-east itinerary can use Grey, Paine Grande, Francés or Cuernos, and Central or Chileno. The exact sequence should be built around actual availability and daily hiking goals.
What is the hardest day of the W Trek?
It depends on the itinerary. Base Torres contains the steepest famous climb, while a full French Valley day to Británico can create the greatest combination of total mileage and time pressure.
What is the best month for the W Trek?
December through March provides the simplest combination of long daylight and normal summer services. November and March are strong shoulder options when reservations and weather align.
How much is the Torres del Paine park fee for the W Trek?
In 2026, the foreign-adult admission rate for visits longer than two days is CLP 48,500. Confirm the live price before purchase.
How much does a five-day W Trek cost?
Current 2026–27 packaged self-guided options begin around the mid-$1,600 to low-$1,700 range for camping and around $2,070 for shared mountain/refugio accommodation, depending on operator and inclusions. Fully guided and luxury programs cost substantially more.
Is the W Trek harder than the O Circuit?
The W is shorter and remains on the park’s developed southern corridor. The O adds the remote northern side, additional trekking days and John Gardner Pass, so it demands greater time and self-sufficiency.
Book the Nights as One Chain. Let the Direction Follow the Route That Actually Works.
That is the core W Trek strategy. Protect the complete overnight sequence first, choose four or five days deliberately, use French Valley and Grey extensions according to the weather, and keep enough margin for Base Torres to remain a mountain day rather than a transport deadline.
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Health, altitude, and nutrition content is reviewed by Taylor Ludlow (Registered Nurse) and Brigg Hoopes (Nutritionist).
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