Hiking Guide to the W Trek In Patagonia, Chile (with Trail Maps)

What's up guys! We're here at Torres del Paine, and in this video, we'll show you how to hike the W track. Including the full route breakdown and everything you need to know before you go. Hope you enjoy. Torres del Paine is a breathtaking natural wonder located in the southernmost part of Chilean Patagonia. This iconic park is famous for its dramatic scenery, from towering granite peaks to massive glaciers and turquoise lakes. The W track is arguably the most famous route here. As the name suggests, the trail forms a distinct W shape on the map, covering the park's biggest landmarks. The full W track is about 73 kilometers or 45 miles with some sections involving some pretty tough climbs. You'll also need to take buses and boats to get to the park. In this video, we'll walk you through it day by day, covering the route, the views, and where to stay. We'll also share essential tips on gear, navigation, packing, and more. So let's dive in. We're Zach and Ina. We make videos about destinations around the world to help you plan your own adventures. We kicked off day one with an early bus ride from Puerto Natales to the park's east entrance. The bus ride was about two hours long and gave us a first look at the stunning Patagonian landscape. After getting our park passes checked at the gate, we caught a quick shuttle to the trailhead where we'd head back to camp later that night. Then, it was finally time to hit the trail. This first day was easily the toughest of the whole track with over a thousand meters or 3,500 feet of elevation gain over 22 kilometers. The hike started by crossing a few bridges before a steady climb to the famous Base de los Torres. Winding through the valley, stunning blue lakes come into view. In the distance, Refugio Chileno is the perfect spot to catch breath and grab a snack while soaking in the river views. From there, the trail leads through a lush forest up to Campamento Torres. This is where it gets tough, a grueling 400-meter climb to Mirador Los Torres. The rocky path is narrow, so watch your step. Many day hikers hit this route so it can get pretty crowded. But despite the crowds, the viewpoint is unforgettable. The massive granite peaks, the turquoise glacial lake, and the wild landscape all around are absolutely breathtaking. Plus, there's plenty of space along the shore, so you can easily find a quiet spot to soak it all in away from the main crowds. We hung out at the lake for about two hours, just enjoying the view and eating lunch before the three-hour track back down to camp. We stayed at Camping Central that night, which is right by the visitor center and the trailhead. You can book dorms, pitch your own tent, or rent one. Already set up on a platform, we booked ahead for every night since we didn't bring any camping gear with us to South America. We reached our tent, and let me show you what it's like inside. We've got some nice pillows, a sleeping bag, plus a pretty wide mattress. It fills the whole tent, which is super comfy. Once checked in, we headed to the dining hall for a great meal with fellow hikers. A stunning sunset over the river was the perfect end to day one. Day two of the W track turned out to be the most relaxed, with a shorter 13.3-kilometer, or 8.2-mile, hike and an easy elevation gain. We took it slow, starting with breakfast at Camping Central. After backtracking a bit from the day before, we found ourselves among lush greenery and layers of colorful lakes. The most vibrant one today was Lake Nordenskold, with its incredible turquoise water. The trail hugged the lakeshore most of the afternoon, offering nonstop panoramic views. The landscape was a tapestry of red firebush, rushing blue rivers, and dramatic white mountain peaks. We took a few scenic breaks along the lake, just pausing to soak it all in. After crossing a few streams and small waterfalls, we finally reached Camping Los Cuernos. Tucked right on the lakeshore, this spot quickly became our favorite. The main dining area felt so cozy, with stunning views of the lake and the iconic Los Cuernos peaks. While we went with tent camping, the site also has private cabins, if you're looking for extra comfort. Day 3 of the W Trek features a pretty big elevation gain, a total of 1,093 meters or 3,585 feet, since it's even longer than the first day. We recommend getting an early start. The trail starts by winding through a forest, giving you more glimpses of Lake Nordenskold. Once you reach Campsite Italiano, the real challenge of the day begins. The out-and-back trek to Mirador Britannico. Right through the French Valley. We made it to Campsite Italiano. And now we're heading up the French Valley, which is about a five-hour round trip. You can actually drop off your backpacks here at the campsite. We're leaving one behind to save some weight. The tough climb is totally worth it for those views of the ice fields and peaks. The French Glacier, a massive wall of ice, really dominates the valley. The ice groans and creaks as it slowly moves, making for an amazing sight. There's a viewpoint of the glacier that's perfect for a quick lunch. After a break at the glacier, it's time for one final push to the valley's top viewpoint. Reaching Mirador Britannico is such a rush, with huge peaks surrounding you like a natural amphitheater. The descent to Camping Italiano was followed by another seven kilometers or 4.3 miles of hiking to our final campsite. This part of the trail is famous for its fierce winds and winds through a mostly burnt forest. It does, however, pass by several lakes, including the beautiful Lago Scottsburg. When we finally reached Camping Pingrande, our feet were killing us, and we were glad we'd layered up properly to handle that biting wind. This campsite, which sits right on the shores of Lake Pajo, is also notorious for its strong winds. While the spot was stunning, it was our least favorite campsite, with less comfy tents and a very basic cafeteria vibe. The last day of the W Trek took us to massive Grey Lake and Grey Glacier. The elevation gain is moderate, just 391 meters or 1,282 feet. But the strong winds in this area can make it a real challenge. We felt those winds firsthand, fighting a relentless headwind on our way to the Glacier. It was a tough battle against the elements, but we finally hit the Grey Glacier Mirador, where we were rewarded with insane views of the ice and lake. We thought about pushing on to Camping Grey, but didn't have the energy to fight those crazy winds for another five kilometers each way. So we headed back to Grande to make sure we caught our catamaran back to Pudito Pier. After a well-deserved rest at the Refugio and a celebratory glass of Chilean wine, we boarded the boat. The ride across Lake Pajo was rough, but seeing the iconic Cuernos Peaks in the distance was the perfect way to wrap up our W Trek. After docking, we grabbed a bus and cruised along those vast Patagonian roads for about three hours. We finally reached Puerto Natales late that evening, totally exhausted. We crashed in a warm bed and saved the next morning to explore the city. Now, let's go over some pro tips to help you have an awesome trek. The W Trek is super flexible, so you can pick your own route, go solo, or hire a guide. You can also customize how many days you hike based on what you prefer We suggest adding an extra day if you want to try glacier kayaking or ice trekking trips from Refugio Gray. We hiked east to west, which has a few perks. First, you get the tough climb to Mirador Los Torres out of the way on day one. Plus, frequent buses from Puerto Natales to the trailhead make getting there a breeze. Finally, this direction means you don't have to worry about catching that early ferry across Lake Pijo. That ferry is essential for a four-day trip and can be a pain to book during peak season. The whole trek really depends on locking in reservations at the limited refugios along the way. These spots offer basic lodging, food, and often camping options. You definitely want to book ahead, especially if you're visiting in peak summer, which runs from November to February. There are two main operators managing the refugios. They're Verdeis Patagonia and Los Torres Patagonia. You can book your stay directly on their websites, choosing between campsites, dorms, or private rooms. Alternatively, booking Patagonia offers one central platform to book both operators. For more comfort, we recommend pre-booking your meals and getting pre-pitched tents, sleeping bags, pillows, and mats. It costs more, but you won't have to carry heavy gear, which is a lifesaver if you're visiting other spots in South America. We got breakfast, a box lunch, and dinner. The first two spots even included a welcome drink. Budget. Conscious hikers can just stick to camping. We used a third party to handle all the bookings and transport for us. You can find their link and all the operators in the video description. Also, don't forget to buy a park pass to show at the entrance. When we went, you had to book it online at least a day ahead. If we hiked it again, we'd probably break up day one by staying at Refugio Chileno instead of camping at Central. The trails are clearly marked with signs and cairns to keep you on track. We also suggest downloading the route offline on all trails as a backup. You can find all those trail links down below. The weather in Torres del Paine is super unpredictable year-round, especially the constant high winds. Peak season is November to February, which has the longest days and best temps, but also the strongest winds. Shoulder seasons like March-April or September-October are less crowded and can be a bit milder. The refugios are closed in winter. Make sure you pack all the essentials for this hike. We've listed the clothes, gear, and hygiene items on the screen for you. Feel free to pause or take a screenshot. We definitely recommend packing light to save your shoulders. We both used our 22 liter day packs. If you're planning a Patagonia trip, check out our interactive planner to stay organized.