The W Trek in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park covers approximately 80 km over 4–5 days, visiting three of Patagonia's most dramatic features: the Torres del Paine granite towers, the Grey Glacier and the French Valley cirque. Bookings for peak season (December–February) open in July of the preceding year and sell out within days.
What Makes the W Trek One of the World's Great Hikes?
The W Trek traces a W-shaped route through Torres del Paine, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covering 181,000 hectares of southern Patagonia in Chile's Magallanes region. The landscape is defined by contrasts impossible to find elsewhere — granite towers rising 2,850 m above flat pampas, electric-blue glacial lakes, and wind that can reach 100 km/h on exposed ridge sections with no warning.
In 2026, Torres del Paine received its 10th consecutive appearance on National Geographic's list of the world's top trekking destinations. The park welcomed approximately 200,000 visitors in 2025 — an 18% increase from 2024 — driven by expanding global interest in Patagonia following high-profile coverage in major adventure travel publications. Demand is growing faster than refugio capacity, making early booking the single most important planning step.
The W Trek Route: Five Stages Explained
The W Trek is typically walked east-to-west starting at Las Torres base camp, which allows trekkers to reach the famous Torres viewpoint on the first morning when legs are fresh and chances of clear weather are statistically highest. Most guides recommend the east-to-west direction for first-time visitors; the west-to-east option saves the Torres ascent as a dramatic finish.
| Day | Stage | Distance | Elevation gain | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Torres → Mirador Las Torres and back | 18 km | 760 m | Las Torres camp |
| 2 | Las Torres → Los Cuernos | 11 km | 400 m | Los Cuernos refugio |
| 3 | Los Cuernos → Valle del Francés → Paine Grande | 22 km | 600 m | Paine Grande camp |
| 4 | Paine Grande → Mirador Glaciar Grey and back | 22 km | 300 m | Paine Grande camp |
| 5 | Ferry Paine Grande → Puerto Natales | — | — | Puerto Natales |
When to Hike the W Trek: Seasons and Weather Reality
Patagonia's trekking season runs October through April. Peak season (December–February) offers up to 18 hours of daylight in January and the most stable weather, though stable in Patagonia means changeable, not calm. Wind is the defining feature of this environment — sustained gusts of 60–80 km/h are common on exposed sections above 600 m, and gusts exceeding 100 km/h have been recorded on the Grey Glacier ridge. Trekkers caught without windproof and waterproof layers on Day 1 routinely struggle.
April is arguably the best month for photography — autumn colours, lower wind and clear crisp mornings — but several refugios close by mid-April. October and November carry higher snowfall risk on upper sections. For comparable hut-to-hut routes with more predictable weather, see our guides to the Tour du Mont Blanc and the New Zealand Great Walks.
How to Book Refugios and Campsites on the W Trek
The W Trek's paid accommodation is split between two concessionaires: Vertice Patagonia and Las Torres Patagonia. Refugio beds cost $90–$130 per night in peak season including dinner and breakfast. Book through lastorres.com and verticepatagonia.com. Both open bookings on 1 July for the following December–February season, and peak slots have historically sold out within 72–96 hours in 2024 and 2025. Set a calendar alert and book the moment reservations open.
Budget trekkers who book CONAF backcountry campsites (free, first-come-first-served) need their own tent and cooking equipment. The Hilleberg Anjan 2 at 2.1 kg is the most wind-resistant two-person tent in its weight class and has become a common sight on the W Trek's exposed campsites — Patagonian winds routinely destroy ultralight tents not engineered for sustained gusts above 70 km/h.
What Gear to Pack for Patagonia's Unpredictable Conditions
The W Trek's weather demands a complete layering system regardless of season. Patagonian rain typically arrives horizontally — a shell that fails in wind-driven rain at this intensity is useless on the exposed lake shores and ridge traversals. The Marmot Minimalist jacket uses GORE-TEX Paclite technology and weighs 390 g, making it one of the most packable reliable options at $230 for this environment.
For the pack, the Arc'teryx Bora AR 63 at 2.18 kg handles five days of gear including tent, sleeping bag and four days of food — approximately 14–16 kg loaded. Its Arboretum internal frame stabilises heavy loads effectively on the W Trek's undulating terrain. Water from most streams along the route is clean, but an MSR Guardian Purifier Pump adds protection near sections where cattle grazing affects stream quality, particularly between Los Cuernos and the Valle del Francés approach.
Getting to Torres del Paine: Flights, Buses and Entry Fees
The gateway city is Puerto Natales, 112 km from the park entrance. Fly to Punta Arenas (PUQ) from Santiago in 2h 20min from $80 USD, or directly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza in about 3 hours from $150 USD. Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales is a 3-hour bus costing $10–$15. Daily buses from Puerto Natales to the park entrance run October–April at 7:00 am and 8:00 am for $10 each way.
Park entrance fee in 2026 is approximately $35 USD per person for international visitors in peak season, payable at the CONAF entrance gate by card or cash. For the most current fee information, check the official CONAF website before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fit do you need to be for the W Trek in Torres del Paine?
The W Trek suits hikers with moderate fitness who can manage 15–22 km per day carrying a 10–15 kg pack over consecutive days. Day 1 (Torres viewpoint) involves 760 m of elevation gain on rocky terrain and is the most demanding section. Training with a loaded pack on hilly terrain for 8–10 weeks beforehand is strongly recommended for hikers who don't hike regularly.
Can you do the W Trek without a guide?
Yes — the W Trek is entirely self-guided. The route is well-marked with signposts at all junctions and the 1:100,000 Torres del Paine map available at the park entrance is sufficient for navigation. Guided group departures exist for those who prefer a structured experience, typically costing $800–$2,000 all-inclusive for five days including accommodation and meals.
What is the difference between the W Trek and the O Circuit?
The W Trek (80 km, 4–5 days) covers the park's most accessible and scenic sections. The O Circuit (130 km, 7–9 days) adds the remote backside of the Paine Massif — a section with no refugios, rougher terrain and greater weather exposure. The O Circuit requires camping gear, stronger fitness and prior multi-day experience. Most first-time visitors complete the W Trek; returning visitors often attempt the full O.
Is Torres del Paine worth visiting in April?
April is one of the best months for photography and solitude. Autumn colours arrive in late March–April, turning beech forests golden and orange, and visitor numbers drop significantly after mid-March. The main trade-off is that several refugios close by mid-April, requiring greater self-sufficiency. Weather is generally calmer in April than during the peak summer months of December–February.
How much does the full W Trek cost per person in 2026?
Staying in refugios with meals included costs approximately $600–$800 USD total for 5 nights. Camping at CONAF free sites with your own gear and food reduces this to $200–$300 USD covering only park entry, bus transport and food. Mid-range trekkers mixing paid campsites and one or two refugio nights typically spend $400–$550 USD for the trek itself, excluding flights.