NOMADIC ADVENTURES

The W Trek is Torres del Paine's most famous hiking route and shorter than the O-circuit. Both are worth ever step of the way.

W-TREK

TORRES DEL PAINE W-TREK AND O-CIRCUIT

W Trek and O-Circuit in Torres del Paine:
A Guide to Patagonia's Best HikesThe W Trek and O-Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park are two of the most renowned hikes in Patagonia, attracting adventure enthusiasts from around the world. Famous for its stunning granite peaks, the park’s centerpiece is the iconic Torres del Paine, a trio of towering granite spires that offer one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the region.

W Trek: A Challenging and Scenic Hike
The W Trek can be walked in either direction, typically starting at Paine Grande and finishing at Hotel Las Torres (or vice versa). Most trekkers begin at Paine Grande. This popular trail is well-equipped with infrastructure, including designated campsites, excellent facilities, hotels with restaurants, and small shops, making it a relatively accessible adventure. Most hikers complete the W Trek in 3 to 5 days, covering around 71 kilometers (44 miles) of stunning Patagonian landscape.

O-Circuit: The Ultimate Patagonia Adventure
The O-Circuit offers a more challenging experience and takes 6-7 days to complete, with most trekkers spending 6 nights and 7 days on the trail. Unlike the W Trek, the O-Circuit must be hiked in a counter-clockwise direction, starting either at Hotel Las Torres or Paine Grande. This trek is named after its circular shape, which resembles the letter "O" on a map.

Key Differences Between the W Trek and O-Circuit
The W Trek is a more accessible and shorter hike, typically taking 3-5 days, and can be walked in either direction.
The O-Circuit is a longer, more demanding route that takes 6-7 days to complete and must be hiked in a counter-clockwise direction.
Both the W Trek and the O-Circuit offer unparalleled views of Torres del Paine’s dramatic landscapes, including glaciers, lakes, valleys, and of course, the iconic Torres.

Whether you’re looking for a shorter trek or a more immersive adventure, these trails are some of the best hiking experiences in the world.

If you are looking for answers to specific questions, read here

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TORRES DEL PAINE at a glance

Sleep in Refugios or tents on the trail as both options are there.

From 6 trekking days but best done in 7 days adding Karanga Camp

Starting point is at Refugio Torre or Paine Grande for both the W and O circuits

An exquisite trek in one of the most picturesque national parks with azure lakes and towering granite peaks.

Day-1: Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales

On arrival a transfer will take you to Puerto Natales through the typical Pampa Steppes of the Magellan Region. You will encounter various animals like sheep, ñandus and a variety of birds. Shortly after leaving the airport you will continue to the charming town of Puerto Natales, situated on the banks of the UIltima Esperanza Bay. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Natales.

Day-2: Puerto Natales -Hiking Base La Torres

After breakfast you will leave Puerto Natales for a two hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park, the starting point of your trek. It will be a spectacular walk to the base of the amazing "Towers" of the Paine Massif, the view onto the three pink granite towers that made the park famous, will fascinate you. Dinner and overnight at Hostel Chileno in the Ascencio Valley. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-3 Refugio Chileno - Refugio Los Cuernos

Today you will hike along Lake Nordenskold below the imposing hanging glaciers of the Paine Massif to your hostel at Los Cuernos. Dinner and overnight at hostel. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-4 Refugio Los Cuernos - French Valley - Lake Pehoe

After breakfast you will start a great trek into the most beautiful valley of the park - Valle Frances. The natural setting is magnificent; on your way up you will be surrounded by high peaks, huge granite walls and hanging glaciers on all sides. In the afternoon you will descend to Pehoe Lake to rest and spend the night. Dinner and overnight at Paine Grande Lodge. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-5 Hike to Glacier Grey

Today you will enjoy a relatively easy hike to the immense Glacier Grey. You will trek along the eastern shoreline of the Lake Grey through a beautiful landscape. Enjoy impressive views of the lake with its numerous giant icebergs. In the afternoon you will arrive at the glacier lookout to see the glacier wall and vibrant blue icebergs close up. Overnight and dinner at Hostel Grey. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-6 Boat trip on Lake Grey - Rio Serrano

In the morning you will cross the Lake Grey by boat and land on the beach at the southern end of the lake. Here you will disembark and hike along the beautiful beach to the Hostería Lago Grey where you can take a rest and have a coffee. From the hostería you will be transferred to the western side of the park to arrive in the sector Serrano River in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the cabins of Cabañas del Paine. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-7 Rio Serrano & Boat trip to Puerto Natales

After an early breakfast you will leave Torres del Paine and start your navigation down the Serrano River to Mount Balmaceda. On the way you will have great views of the Southern Ice Field. Go for a short hike below the towering Mount Balmaceda and have lunch before embarking the boat back to Puerto Natales in the early afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Natales. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day-8 Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas

A transfer will take you to the airport of Punta Arenas or a downtown hotel in due course. (Breakfast)

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Day-1: Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales

Upon arrival at the airport of Punta Arenas, a transfer will await you to take you to Puerto Natales leading you through the typical Pampa Steppes of the Magellan Region. You will encounter various animals like sheep, ñandus and a variety of birds. Shortly after leaving the airport you will continue to the charming town of Puerto Natales, situated on the banks of the UIltima Esperanza Bay. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Natales.

Day-2: Puerto Natales -Hiking Base La Torres

After breakfast you will leave Puerto Natales for a two hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park, the starting point of your trek.

Starting at Refugio Torre or Paine Grande, you'll hike the full trek anticlockwise, visiting the three valleys of the W Trek as well as the quieter trails across the north. We will trek to the base of The Towers (7 hours roundtrip), a spectacular hike to view the three pink granite towers that make the park famous. Overnight at Refugio Nash (B/L/D)

Day-3: Seron

Today we start our trek around the Paine Massif. In the morning we will meet our porters, load up our gear and head out across ancient glacial moraines on the way to Camp Seron. The trail goes through Lenga forests where we often see Austral parakeets, several species of geese and the occasional guanaco and fox (trekking time 4 hrs). Overnight at Camp Seron. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-4 Dickson

Early breakfast for the hike to Lago Dickson , a glacial lake on the edge of the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. We hike past bright blooming Notro bushes and make a stream crossing along the lake. A beautiful, leisurely hike (trekking time 6 hrs). Here we can take hot showers at the refugio. Overnight at Refugio Dickson. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-5 Peros

Today is our biggest day of hiking as we climb over Paso John Garner and down through thick forest directly above the massive Glaciar Grey. Once on the pass we look out over rugged, glaciated peaks and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap – a view not to be missed! The Grey Glacier stretches out below us like a huge white highway 5 hours.

After breakfast we start the 5 hours hike which continues descending towards Lake Grey through lenga forest where every so often appears a terrace looking out over Glacier Grey and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. Overnight at Refugio Grey. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-6 Pehoe

This morning we will cross a high plateau overlooking Lago Grey with its icebergs and the Grey Glacier on our way to Lago Pehoe, “hidden lake” in the Tehuelche language. 3-4 hours. The afternoon will be free to relax at Lodge Paine Grande and enjoy the area. Lodging and dinner is at Lodge Paine Grande where you can enjoy a pisco sour in the bar that overlooks Paine Grande & Los Cuernos mountains in the beautiful evening light.

Day-7:French Valley

Trek to the French Valley. This valley is the most beautiful in the park and one of the most unique in the world, its surrounded by hanging glaciers and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires. After we trek out of the valley, we will continue to the extraordinary turquoise Lake Nordenskjold, where Refugio Cuernos is located (trekking time 8 hrs). Overnight at at Refugio Cuernos.

Day-8: Los Cuernos

Trek along Lake Nordenskjold and below the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto, to the reach Hosteria Las Torres (5-6 hours) ,our van is waiting at the parking lot. Transfer to Puerto Natales. Farewell dinner and lodging at Natalino hotel or similar.

Day-9 Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas

A transfer will take you to the airport of Punta Arenas or a downtown hotel in due course. (Breakfast)

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bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT w-trek and o-circuit

How difficult is the W-Trek?

The W Trek is not a difficult or technical trek as you at low altitude. The highest point of the W Trek is the towers' base viewpoint, at 850masl or (2788 ft). The trek is around four to five days, covering 46 miles or 74 km on mainly gentle terrain, with more challenging days involving around the towers base point. The longest days are six to eight hours of hiking.

How difficult is the O-circuit Trek?

Compared to the W-trek, the O Circuit Trek is better for more experienced hikers as the areas are more remote and you will spend about 7-9 days trekking. You will also need to camp overnight in some places. It covers around 120 km or 74 miles.

What are the refugios like on the route?

The word refugio means 'refuge' in English and are essentially hostels or mountain huts. As they are not very big they have limited accommodation so they really need to be booked in advance which we would arrange. The accommodation at the Refugios is in shared – mixed dorms in bunk beds and in each Refugio there are shared bathrooms (rooms have not private bathrooms). Depending on the Refugio, rooms have a capacity between 6 to 8 people. All beds are twin-sized and a pillow is provided. It is best to always bring your sleeping bag. All refugios have a men’s and women’s bathroom with anywhere from 3-6 toilet stalls and 2-4 showers. There are power outlets in the refugios but they’re only in the main common areas, not in the bedrooms. The refugios along the ‘W’ trek are run by two different companies; Fantastico Sur and Vertice Patagonia. Fantastico Sur is family-owned on private land inside the park. These lodges include Refugio Torres (right by the base of the towers) and Refugio Cuernos. The other refugio company, Vertice Patagonia, owns and operates Refugio Paine Grande and Refugio Grey as concessions.

What kind of wildlife can I expect to see?

South America’s iconic wildlife like the condor, guanacos, South Andean Deer or Huemul , armadillo, Rhea bird, which is very similar to the African ostrich and many other recognisable creatures are all found in Torres del Paine National Park. There is also a chance you may see a Puma or mountain lion. In the Park, you can find more than 120 types of birds, 250 types of plants, and 25 types mammals, all of them protected by the law. Another popular sighting is the South American Gray Fox or Chilla.

What is the best time for hiking in Torres del Paine?

Summer is the best time from December to February when it is is the warmest time with day temperatures between 12°C and 15°C when the night temperature is between 9°C and 12°C. November – January, and March get quite a lot of wind which you get a lot of around the Towers and across the lakes. February is the least windy of the summer month and also has a lot less rainfall.

At all times you need to be prepared for unpredictable temperatures and changeable wind, sun, rain and snow conditions.

What kind of gear do I need to bring for the trek?

Given the quick variations in temperatures and weather it is recommended to dress in layers to be able to adapt easily for changing climate conditions during the day. Clothing should be wind resistant and generally quick-dry.

Is there cell service in Torres del Paine?

Cell service is very patchy as it wifi so best not relied on.

Where can I get hiking Insurance?

If you are going hiking or climbing or trekking then you need extra cover for your activities. Hiking has become popular for many adventure seekers looking to add a climb up Kilimanjaro or a trek to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna or even Island Peak to their list of amazing adventures. But any climb to high altitude carries with it a number of risks and having the correct and good trekking insurance is an absolute must. We recommend two different groups depending on which country you reside in. For further details, click on the icon

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