Torres del Paine in 5 days: the W Trek

What is the W Trek

The W Trek traces the main massif of the national park in the shape of the letter W. Total length around 80 km, elevation gain — moderate. Most trekkers complete it in 4–5 days.

Start — at the Pudeto ferry or Las Torres hotel. Finish — at the park entrance from the Puerto Natales side.

Three main points on the route

Mirador Las Torres — the ultimate goal for most trekkers. Three granite towers up to 2,850 m above sea level, vertical walls up to 1,500 m. Ascent from camp — 2–3 hrs.

Valle del Francés — the wildest section. Snow-capped peaks, hanging glaciers, constant rumble of ice. Round trip: 6–8 hrs.

Glaciar Grey — glacier flowing into the lake of the same name. You can hike there or approach by catamaran.

How to get to Torres del Paine?

From Ushuaia: flight Ushuaia → Punta Arenas, then bus or transfer Punta Arenas → Puerto Natales ($290). From Puerto Natales to the national park — 112 km, about 2 hours, by scheduled bus or transfer ($350). No direct transport from Argentina, Chilean border — allow an hour for formalities. Convenient to start from Puerto Natales, where the CONAF offices are located.

From Puerto Natales: 112 km to the park, ~2 hrs. Transfer Puerto Natales → Torres del Paine: $350.

Camping vs Refugio

Camping: own tent or rental. Sites booked through operators Vertice Patagonia and Las Torres — in season (November–March) they're snapped up months in advance.

Refugio: mountain lodges with beds, dinner and breakfast. Cost ~$120–180/night.

Practical data

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a guide? No — the route is well marked. But a guide will give you context on geology and wildlife.

Is it physically demanding? Medium level. You need to be comfortable walking 6–8 hrs a day with a 10–15 kg pack.

Can I do a day trip? Only to Mirador Las Torres — that's ~8–10 hrs round trip from Puerto Natales.