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, the hanging glaciers of the French Valley, the granite towers which are the namesake of Torres del Paine
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Puerto Natales - Las Torres Lookout - Chileno (Visit the Famous Towers)
- Total distance: 18 kilometers / 11.2 miles
- Average hike time: 8 hours
- Overnight at Refugio Torre Central
In the morning, you will hop a bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park (Laguna Amarga Main Entrance). The total distance is 70 miles / 112 kilometers, and the drive takes about two hours, with a possible short stop at Cerro Castillo Village. The scenery along the way will be incredible, as you will get your first glimpses of Torres del Paine's massive peaks as well as some of the local fauna, like guanacos. You will arrive at the Laguna Amarga main entrance and register yourself with the park office (the entry fee is already included).
Then, it is a quick shuttle ride to the Las Torres sector. From here, you will hike up Mount Almirante Nieto, which features stunning views of the Asencio Valley below and Lake Nordenskjold. After two hours of hiking, you will reach Camp Chileno, this is a good place to have your lunch before continuing up. It is another hour of hiking past ancient Lenga forests until you arrive at a moraine. The next part is a challenging steep ascent for 45 minutes until you reach the top, which is known as Mirador Base Torres.
"Mirador" in English means "viewpoint," and this little section of the mountain, with the Torres del Paine looming over a green lagoon, is the best view in the park. From here you can also marvel at the towering peaks of nearby Torre Sur, Central Tower, North Tower, Condor's Nest, and Glacier Torre, all set amidst the sweeping backdrop of the Patagonian highlands. After spending some time enjoying the views at Base Torres, you will then hike back to Refugio and Camping Central to rest up for the evening. Based on availability, Refugio Central may be substituted for Refugio Chileno.
Day 2: Chileno - Cuernos (hike along Lake Nordenskjold)
- Total distance: 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles
- Average hike time: 4 hours
- Overnight at Refugio Cuernos
In the morning, you will have breakfast and then prepare to hike again. You will leave your accommodation and walk for four hours towards Refugio Cuernos, located on the shore of Lake Nordenskjold and at the foot of the Cuernos. Along the way, you will walk along the skirt of Almirante Nieto and pass by Lake Nordenskjold. There will be a few rivers you will pass over by hopping across rocks.
As you hike, you will catch glimpses of glaciers and the mountaintops hovering over you. Finally, you will see the monstrous peaks of the Cuernos. You will spend the night at the foot of them in Refugio and Camping Cuernos. Based on availability, Refugio Cuernos may be substituted for Domos Frances.
Day 3: Cuernos - French Valley Lookout - Paine Grande (Visit the French Valley)
- Total distance: 17.3 kilometers / 10.7 miles
- Average hike time: 7 hours
- Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande
Shortly after breakfast, you will begin hiking towards Campamento Italiano. This camp is two and a half hours away. You will trek across a windy beach and finally escape into the valley where the wind is a little calmer. Once you arrive at Campamento Italiano, you can leave your large pack and continue into the French Valley with just a small daypack. 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, Skottsberg, and Pehoe behind you, the hanging French Glacier just ahead of you, and many other peaks. After leaving the lookout, you will return to gather your large pack and continue onto Refugio Paine Grande on the shore of the beautiful Lake Pehoe.
Day 4: Paine Grande - Grey (Admire Glacier Grey)
- Total distance: 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles
- Average hike time: 4 hours
- Overnight at Refugio Grey
After a restful night and an energizing breakfast, you will 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 Ice Field. After about two hours of hiking, you will get your first glimpse of Glacier Grey. You will continue hiking for two more hours until arriving at Refugio & Camping Grey where you will spend the night.
If you would like, you can continue past the Refugio for a spectacular view of the glacier and a chance to cross one of the park's famous suspension bridges. 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 5: Grey - Puerto Natales (Cross Lake Pehoe by catamaran and return to Puerto Natales)
- Total distance: 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles
- Average hike time: 4 hours
- Overnight in Puerto Natales (not included)
This morning, you will have a bit of free time in which you can hike up to the park’s suspension bridges, relax on the shores of Lake Grey, or head out on a kayaking excursion. At some point, you will begin to hike again, doubling back on the same trail you hiked the day before. You will walk for about four hours to Paine Grande where you will head to the dock on Lake Pehoe.
There you will board a catamaran that will take you to the opposite shore where you will catch your bus back to Puerto Natales. If you are interested in taking the Grey III glacier boat cruise for up-close views of the Glacier, let them know and they will organize an alternative version of your itinerary.