The Towers of Torres del Paine made the area famous among climbers in the 1980’s. Since then, people have been doing more mountaineering in the national park. You can hike the W trail and admire the most eye-catching icons in Torres del Paine National Park. You will visit the Torres Lookout, the French Valley, the Cuernos, and Glacier Grey. Moreover, you will be able to observe granite formations imposing on sedimentary rocks, ancient glaciers, and diverse flora and fauna.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Highlights: Views of Glacier Grey and the Southern Ice Field, the many lakes of Torres del Paine and the hanging glaciers of the French Valley, and the granite towers which are the namesake of Torres del Paine
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine National Park, Grey
- Total distance: 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles
- Average hike time: 4 hours
- Overnight at Refugio Grey
Early in the morning, you will depart on a bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine. The trip to the park entrance at Laguna Amarga is approximately two hours. After arriving at the park, you will take the catamaran across Lake Pehoe before you begin a four-hour hike through a small forest and then along Lake Grey. Most days this section of the park is very windy, due to the openness provided by Lake Grey, Glacier Grey, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
After two hours of hiking, you will get your first glimpse of Glacier Grey. You will continue hiking for two more hours until arriving at Camp Grey where you will spend the night. You can take two optional excursions today in the afternoon or tomorrow morning while at Refugio Grey - ice hiking on Glacier Grey or kayaking on Lake Grey. Let Dittmar Adventures know if you are interested and they can make reservations.
Day 2: Hike to Lake Pehoe (Grey - Paine Grande)
- Total distance: 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles
- Average hike time: 4 hours
- Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande
In the morning, you will have an energizing breakfast and then prepare to hike again. If you would like, you can continue past the camp with a day pack for a spectacular view of the glacier and a chance to cross one of the park's famous suspension bridges. Upon return to Camp Grey, collect all of your belongings and begin your hike back towards Paine Grande where you will camp along the shore of Lake Pehoe.
Day 3: Visit the French Valley
- Total distance: 17.3 kilometers / 10.7 miles
- Average hike time: 7 hours
- Overnight at Refugio Torre Central
Shortly after breakfast, you will begin hiking towards Campamento Italiano with just a day pack. This camp is two and a half hours away. Once you arrive at Campamento Italiano, you will hike across a moraine and through a forest until you come to a clearing.
Here, you will be blown away by both the wind and the spectacular views of Lake Nordenskjold, Skottberg, and Pehoe behind you, the hanging French Glacier just ahead of you, and many other peaks. After leaving the lookout, you will return to Paine Grande to gather your things and take the catamaran back across Lake Pehoe. From here, you will catch a bus and shuttle to Camping Central where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Visit the famous Towers
- Total distance: 18 kilometers / 11.2 miles
- Average hike time: 8 hours
- Overnight in Puerto Natales (not included)
Today, you will hike to the iconic towers of the park - Las Torres. After breakfast, you will begin to hike up Almirante Nieto, a mountain with incredible views of Lake Nordenskjold and the Asencio Valley. After two hours of hiking steadily upward, you will arrive at Camp Chileno where you will be able to enjoy your lunch before continuing onto the Las Torres lookout. Walk for one hour through a dense Lenga forest.
After leaving the forest, you will approach a moraine and climb until you see Las Torres - imposing granite peaks rising 9,000 feet into the air. This impressive sight will take your breath away. After taking some time to relax in front of the majestic peaks, you will hike back down the moraine to continue hiking through the Asencio Valley, downhill to Camping Torre Central. Thereafter, you will catch a shuttle and a bus back to Puerto Natales.