Torres del Paine W Trek
Also known as: W Circuit
Mirador Base Las Torres (the three towers over a turquoise lake), the French Valley (Valle del Frances), Grey Glacier, Los Cuernos, Lago Nordenskjold
The route
The line through Patagonia (Magallanes), Chile - waypoints, elevation and the day-by-day shape of the walk.
Waypoints
- 1Laguna Amarga / Central (start)Trailhead
CONAF registration; shuttle to Central
- 2Mirador Base Las TorresViewpoint
The three towers; steep moraine finish
- 3Los Cuernos / FrancesJunction
Refugio/camp; Lago Nordenskjold shore
required · Oct-Apr - 4Mirador Britanico (French Valley)Variant split
Cirque viewpoint; natural turnaround
- 5Paine GrandeJunction
Catamaran link to Pudeto
required · Oct-Apr - 6Refugio Grey / Grey GlacierSummit
Glacier viewpoints; end of the W
required · Oct-Apr
Season & conditions
Oct-Apr (Dec-Feb peak: warmest, windiest and fully booked); Oct/Nov and Mar quieter
Notorious - sun, rain, wind and snow in one day; ferocious wind that can knock you over; layer up
Long summer daylight (up to ~17 h); autumn colour (Mar-Apr); guanaco and condor
W services typically Oct-Apr; the park is open year-round but services are seasonal. Confirm refugio dates.
On the trail
Pampa, lenga forest, moraine, lakeshore, glacier viewpoints
Non-technical; a steep rocky final moraine to Base Torres; wind is the main hazard
Waymarked and well-travelled; solo common; guided optional
Fit walkers for 4-5 consecutive 15-22 km days; not wheelchair; the refugio option makes it comfortable for mixed groups; kids with fitness
Guanaco, Andean condor, grey fox, rhea (nandu); puma (rare, probability)
Lenga and nire forest, calafate, Patagonian steppe
Very popular; book far ahead; Base Torres is busy
Full W (4-5 days) or single-day sectors (Base Torres, French Valley, Grey) from refugios; can shorten; refugio (beds/meals) or camping
Getting there & staying
Puerto Natales to the Laguna Amarga entrance (bus ~2 h), register with CONAF, then shuttle to Central; point-to-point (Central <-> Paine Grande via catamaran on Lago Pehoe)
Bus Puerto Natales <-> park; catamaran Pudeto <-> Paine Grande; shuttle Laguna Amarga <-> Central; plan the transport chain
Refugios (beds, hot meals, bars) and campsites (some with rental tents/full-board) run by Vertice and Las Torres; dispersed camping prohibited; book all nights
Wind/waterproof layers, boots, poles; refill from streams (generally potable); patchy coverage; CLP cash + card
Refugios have meals, bars, showers, some Wi-Fi; camps have kitchens/toilets; well-serviced for a wilderness trek
Not required; self-guided common; guided packages available
Permits & safety
CONAF park entrance (book/pay online) plus ALL nights reserved - Vertice Patagonia (Paine Grande, Grey, Dickson, Los Perros) and Las Torres/Fantastico Sur (Torres Central/Norte, Chileno, Cuernos, Frances, Seron); you must have every night booked to enter; books months ahead. Confirm before booking.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Extreme wind, rapid weather and cold; the steep Base Torres moraine; stream levels
CONAF rangers, refugio staff and catamaran/road access at several points; register on entry
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand trail report. Coordinates are approximate.