From the planning stages to the logistics of embarking on this incredible adventure, here are ALL the important things to know before hiking the W Trek in Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia is one of the best trekking destinations in South America, and in my opinion, the whole world! As soon as you lay eyes on the park’s rugged peaks, ancient glaciers, soaring condors, and bright teal lakes, you’ll understand what I mean.
The W Trek is the most popular multi-day hike in Torres del Paine. Featuring the park’s top highlights and taking an average of 4-6 days to complete, the W Trek is an absolute dream for adventure travelers looking for a pure physical achievement.
While the W Trek is dreamy in every way, it can be a bit of a logistical challenge and requires some thorough thought and preparation. However, I have just freshly completed the trek and am super excited to share this post with EVERYTHING you need to know from planning to executing this trip of a lifetime. In this guide, I have also included things I WISH I KNEW before the trip to help make your experience that much more seamless.
If you’re planning to hike the W trek, don’t miss The Best 4 Day W Trek Itinerary in Patagonia for a day-by-day breakdown and more logistical tips
Essential Things You Need To Know Before Hiking the W Trek Patagonia
Planning Your W Trek Hike:
1. The Best Time to Hike the W Trek Depends on What You’re Looking For
The best time to visit Torres del Paine and the W trek is often considered to be summer from December – February. This peak season attracts the most visitors due to the warmer temperatures, longer days, and lower chances of rain. Temperatures reach up to 20 degrees Celcius and the sun shines a little more often. However, like any high season, the summer receives the most visitors. The refugios will be more crowded and you risk not being able to book your accommodation in time.
If you’re not the biggest fan of visiting with the crowds, you can also consider completing the W trek in the spring (October – November) or the fall (March – April). The shoulder seasons bring cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and can still provide a fantastic experience overall. I did my trek in early November and found the cooler hiking temperatures (highs of about 7 – 12 degrees) to be more enjoyable for the steeper sections anyway. I also loved that the park didn’t feel overrun and we still enjoyed plenty of daylight!
2. You Have the Choice Between a Guided Tour or Hiking The W Trek Independently
Another big decision to make while planning your W Trek hike is whether to do the trip with a guided tour or to tackle it independently. There are numerous pros and cons for both sides.
Hiking independently allows you to trek at your own pace, enjoy the scenery without a group, and is more budget-friendly. However, the logistics for deciding your route, booking campsites, getting to and from the park, and carrying gear with you along the way can be a lot of work! A guided trip takes care of all those logistics, can result in new lifelong friends, reduce the weight you have to carry by A LOT, and ensure potential emergencies are a lot more stress-free. However, the price will be higher for guided experiences and not everyone likes hiking with a group.
I personally opted to join a guided experience because I was going to be in the park as a solo female. I loved that it saved me many hours of planning, booking, and organizing the trek myself. I also felt safe with our mountain guides, knowing they were fully equipped for emergencies, and connected really well with my group resulting in lifelong travel connections.
** Please note that you can only choose the non-guided option between October and April. Anything outside of this requires experienced mountain guides to go with you.
3. There Are Multiple Route Options Depending on the Direction You Take and the Number of Days
The entire W trek is up to 80 km and can be hiked from West to East or East to West. The hike can be completed in as little as 4 days (with some shorter 64 km options that cover the highlights), but on average takes 5 to 6 days. I recommend having an idea of how many days you’d like to complete the trek in and which direction first before looking to book your experience.
I hiked the W trek in 4 days from East to West and loved that we got the hardest day out of the way first with fresh legs.
4. You’ll Need To Reserve As Early As Possible
Torres Del Paine is one of the premier trekking destinations in the world and as a result, has a much higher demand than it can supply. Part of this comes from the park’s excellent conservation regulations put in place to ensure a sustainable amount of visitors in the park, but you’ll want to make sure you book as far in advance as possible to ensure a spot.
It is recommended to book your trek at least 6 months in advance to ensure you get the campsites or tour group you are hoping for. Campsite bookings typically open in May and June for the following season. Booking with a guided group may have some more leniency in this, as often the different companies will be able to pre-book campsites for their tour groups every season. But the earlier, the better. I was able to snag the last spot in my guided November trek the previous July.
5. You Might Not Need to Train For the Hike As Much As You Think
A common question about the W trek is what level of fitness is required to complete the hike. Well, it depends. If you are trekking fully independently, carrying your own camping gear and food, then it is recommended to have some backcountry hiking experience or at least train with carrying heavy backpacks before the trip.
If you are planning to do the hike with a group or by booking the full board options in the refugios, then I’d say you just need to be in good shape and have some basic hiking experience. As an example, I was in relatively good shape with basic cardio from being on my feet for my waitressing job, attending some zumba cardio classes once a week, and playing tennis 1-2x per week. I would go for short 1.5-hour hikes on the weekends leading up to my trek, but I didn’t do any training for it, just was a relatively active person. And I found I was easily able to complete the trek without any issue!
6. Plan A Buffer Day Before the Trek Starts
Whether you are bringing everything you need with you or not, it is always a good idea to have an extra day before your trek begins so you can make sure you’re not missing anything. Last-minute errands have a way of sneaking up on you.
Transportation To/From Torres Del Paine:
7. You’ll Access Torres Del Paine From the Nearest Town Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is about a 1.5-hour drive from the Torres del Paine entrance. It is a small town filled with gear shops, tour agencies, and places to eat. Numerous buses run to and from the park every day and there are options for private transportation as well.
The bus tickets from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine cost $25 USD for a return trip. You can book this through your accommodation, online, or directly at the bus station. The buses leave around 6:45 am, 7 am, 7:30 am and 2:30 pm.
When you return, there will be multiple times to choose from and you don’t need to arrange a specific time or date for that. The return buses depart to Puerto Natales between 1:30 – 7:45 pm.
8. You Can Fly into Puerto Natales Directly From Santiago or Access the Town by Bus
If you are flying to Puerto Natales to start your Patagonia adventure, the easiest way to do this is to fly to Santiago and take a direct flight from there to Puerto Natales. The airport in Puerto Natales is super small and is located only 15 minutes from the town.
Alternatively, if you are already in Patagonia before starting your W Trek, bussing into Puerto Natales is another great option. The most popular places to bus from are El Calafate and Punta Arenas. The bus station is located in the centre of town and is within walking distance of numerous accommodation options.
9. You’ll Need to Take A Ferry One Way or the Other
Whether you are starting at Paine Grande or finishing your trek there, you’ll need to take the catamaran ferry across Lake Pehoe. If you are traveling with a group, the logistics of this will be taken care of for you. If you are trekking independently, you pay on board in Chilean pesos and cannot book a spot in advance. So, it is best to show up about half an hour early to get a spot.
This ferry has the best panoramic view of the mountains in Torres del Paine!! So have your camera ready and head to the top deck to enjoy the view.
W Trek Logistics – While On The Trek:
10. The Campsites Are a Little More Established Than You Might Assume
The campsites include a refugio (mountain hut) where they’ll serve hot food and drinks, as well as proper washrooms with flush toilets and showers. Although, hot showers are not always in the cards.
Some of the campsites even have a bar and a small camp shop to grab some extra snacks and supplies. While you’re definitely out in the middle of nature, it is not as remote as you may think.
11. The Campsites Do Have Spots to Charge Your Devices
There are communal plugin areas for charging your devices in the refugios. According to my mountain guide, it is quite common for people to just plug in and leave their devices in the communal space as theft isn’t usually a concern. Keep in mind that there are a limited number of plugs so it’s a good idea to bring a power bank as well, especially during peak season.
12. The Trail to the Base of the Towers Closes at 3 PM
This one is super important! It would be tragic to hike the majority of the way to the towers, only to be turned away before the last hour. For safety reasons, the park rangers close the last section of the trail leading up to the base of the towers at 3 pm every day. Make sure you budget enough time to reach the tower and hike 45 minutes down from there before 3 pm.
13. The Elevation of the Trek Reaches a Max of 2788 Feet (850 Metres)
You won’t need to worry about altitude sickness on this trip. There are a ton of up and down sections on the trail, meaning you might climb up 2000 feet only to hike back down again on the same day.
14. There Are Different Accommodation Options on the Trek Beyond Camping
If you are not hiking the W trek with a group, then you’ll need to arrange and book your own accommodation. Your options will be:
Normal Tents – a mix of wooden platforms and spots on the ground, the normal tent setups are pretty standard.
Premium Tents – a newer addition to some of the campsites are permanent canvas tents that are elevated above the ground. You’ll climb a short ladder to get inside and the entire floor of the tent is one big cushy sleeping pad.
Cabanas (aka Cabins) – At the Cuernos campsite, there are small cabins that can fit 1-3 people inside.
Refugios – These mountain huts offer shared indoor accommodation with bunk beds. You’ll share a room and communal washrooms but will have a warm bed indoors.
Hotels – There is one proper hotel, Hotel Las Torres, located along the W trek route at the Central campsite area. In addition, overlooking Central Camp, there are luxury domes that can be found under the name EcoCamp.
Within these accommodation options, you’ll also have the choice to opt for full board which includes breakfast, a packed box lunch, and dinner.
15. There is No Phone Signal in the Park
There is no phone signal to be found in Torres del Paine. The trek is the perfect way to disconnect and fully immerse yourself in nature. If you really need to connect at some point along the hike, there is wifi for purchase at some of the refugios.
16. You Must Purchase Your Park Entrance in Advance Online
If you are completing the W trek as part of a group, you’ll want to check in with the company to see if you need to take care of your own entrance fee or not. Some companies include this as part of the excursion and you won’t have to do a single thing. But if not, or if you are hiking the W trek independently, then you’ll need to visit the CONAF website using this link: https://www.aspticket.cl/
For adults visiting for up to 3 days, your entrance fee will cost 35 USD and for 4 or more days it will cost 49 USD. The different entrances to the park will require you to do a check-in as proof of payment, where you’ll receive a map of the park’s trails.
17. There Is One Free and Six Paid Campsites in the Park
The free campsite is called Campamento Italiano and consists of pit toilets and a cooking shelter. There is no running water and as of July 2022 it is not currently open (although this may change).
The six paid campsites are:
- Refugio Paine Grande – Owned by Vertice Patagonia with a full restaurant, bar, and small shop
- Refugio Grey – Owned by Vertice Patagonia with a full restaurant, bar, and small shop
- Frances – Owned by Fantastico Sur with a restaurant and small shop
- Refugio Los Cuernos – Owned by Fantastico Sur with a cafeteria where you can purchase drinks and a small shop
- Central – Owned by Fantastico Sur with a full restaurant, bar, and small shop
- Refugio Chileno – Owned by Fantastico Sur with a restaurant, bar, and snacks for purchase
When booking campsites you can book them individually from each company – Vertice Patagonia, and Fantastico Sur.
Gear and Supplies:
18. You Can Drink Water Directly From The Streams
One of the coolest parts of hiking in Torres del Paine is that you can drink water directly from any of the streams along the way. You don’t need to purify your water with anything! Simply fill up your water bottle and drink. The water comes directly from the glaciers and due to the park lacking any harmful bacteria or parasites, the water is some of the purest you’ll ever drink. And it tastes delicious too!
19. You Can Rent All of Your Camping and Hiking Gear
It can be tricky to pack your own tent on a flight across the globe. The good news is that you can rent all the gear you need for the W trek in Puerto Natales. If you are camping and need a full setup, it is best to book your gear in advance. I rented from Rental Natales and had a great experience with them.
The rental shops will also have gear like trekking poles, rain jackets, sleeping bags, and even hiking boots! If you are hiking the W Trek in the shoulder seasons, bring a warm enough sleeping bag, as it can get down to negative temperatures.
20. Bring Trekking Poles… Trust Me on This One!
I was never a trekking pole person. I thought they were more for the elderly and injured. But boy was I wrong. I read a lot of tips recommending using trekking poles while hiking in El Chalten (another STUNNING hiking destination in Patagonia) and decided to give them a try. They made a huge difference!
Even if they only provide a fraction of help, that added up throughout 22 km makes a big difference. I found that I was able to sustain the longer distances without my hips and knees getting as sore as usual. They were especially helpful at reducing the impact on the downhill sections.
21. Pack With High Winds in Mind
Patagonia is known for having crazy winds. Especially in the summer. Some days you may experience winds blowing at 120 km/hour. You’ll want to pack accordingly and consider leaving the backpack covers behind.
22. Bring Cash For the Refugios
Some of the refugios take credit card but due to the natural elements in the park, this is not always the most reliable. That is why it is always important to bring cash with you. At some of the campsites, you’ll find bars and small shops where you can grab snacks and supplies.
23. Bring Waterproof Dry Bags For Your Stuff
With the unpredictable weather in Patagonia, the safest bet is to just store all your belongings inside a dry bag inside your backpack. Rain covers are usually a good alternative, however, when the winds get strong this can get tricky. I stored all of my stuff that I didn’t want to get wet, including my spare clothes, inside a dry bag.
24. Prepare For All Four Seasons in a Day
Patagonia weather is notorious for being unpredictable and everchanging. It is actually super common for people to experience all 4 seasons in a single day while hiking the W trek. We’re talking sunshine and clear skies to snow in a matter of hours. The best way to be prepared for that? Layers! Pack lots of layers that you can strip on and off throughout the day.
25. Bring KT Tape
Even on the best of knees, the descents can be rough on the joints. You never know what could start to feel sore as you hike long distances on back-to-back days. I had no previous injuries or issues but by day 3 of my trek I was struggling with a bad knee. Luckily, I was trekking with a guide who kept some KT tape on hand so after she taped it up for me, it made a huge difference and I was able to continue enjoying my hike!
26. Bring Snacks With You Into The Park
There are shops at some of the refugios along the W trek, however, the prices will be inflated due to the natural difficulties of getting the supplies into the park. Therefore, it is much cheaper to just bring your own snacks along with you.
27. Everything You Bring Into The Park, You Will Need to Bring Out
Torres del Paine has some pretty strict rules to conserve the park’s natural wonders. Understandably, that means you’ll need to bring literally every single thing you bring into the park back out with you. The refugios don’t like to receive garbage either since it takes effort to trek it out of the park for them too. So bring a little trash bag with you for all your garbage – including toilet paper!
Highlights of the W Trek and Things to Do:
28. Stay at the Mirador Las Torres For at Least 30 mins
When I made the final stretch to Mirador Las Torres, I was met with complete cloud coverage over the iconic towers. I could only see the lake and the rocks below where the towers start. This was a bit of a letdown after hiking 11km and 4 hours to see it. Our guide remained optimistic though and said we just needed to eat our lunch and wait. After 30 mins, the clouds lifted and we could actually see the full towers with clouds floating directly above them!
29. The Hike Up to the French Valley Viewpoint is Steep but Well Worth It
The hike up to the Mirador Frances is a steep ascent filled with rocky sections and an occasional stream crossing. The guides gave us the option to hike the full way to the lookout or opt for the “fake lookout” that shaved off the ascent and 6 km total from the hike. I chose to hike to the main lookout and cannot express enough how worth the hike it was. At Mirador Frances, you’ll be surrounded by giants. You’ll have a panoramic view of Paine Grande’s jagged peaks and glaciers in front of you and the majestic Los Cuernos peaks behind. This is also a great spot to watch avalanches fall from the peaks.
30. You Can Kayak Up Close to Grey Glacier From the Nearest Refugio
If you have time in your schedule, add a half-day kayaking excursion to your W trek itinerary. Kayaking excursions leave from Refugio Grey every day from October – April and are an adventurous way to get right up close to Grey Glacier. You’ll paddle across Grey Lake (Lago Grey) with beautiful blue ice towering above you.
This kayaking trip is very weather-dependent, meaning if your heart is set on doing it then you’ll probably want to leave an extra day at Refugio Grey as a buffer. You can book these tours in advance.
Book your kayaking adventure with Chilenativo or Torres Del Paine.org
31. You Can Also Add A Glacier Ice Hike to Your Trek
Similar to adding the kayaking excursion to your W trek itinerary, you can also add some ice trekking on Glacier Grey. The tour agency will meet you at Refugio Grey and you’ll be off to experience a bucket list adventure. Similar to kayaking, the tours are weather-dependent, so make sure to add that buffer day just in case.
Book your ice trekking adventure with Chilenativo or Torres Del Paine.com
32. Keep an Eye (and an Ear) Out for Avalanches Along the Way
Out of all the incredible natural beauty I experienced along the W Trek, seeing and hearing avalanches fall from jagged peaks to crash upon the glaciers below was a favourite! Keep an eye out as you trek across the park, but especially at Mirador Frances.
33. Watch For the Famed Park Wildlife
While hiking the W trek you may be lucky enough to witness some incredible wildlife. Watch for the adorable Guanaco – cousin to the llama, and take a peak at the skies to see if you can witness the majestic condors gliding through the sunshine above. If you are extra lucky, you have a small chance of seeing the elusive pumas that roam the park.
Important Tips For After You Arrive in Chile:
34. Keep Your Immigration Paper
When I arrived in Chile, I was given an immigration paper. I was bussing solo and no one mentioned that this paper was important, it honestly just looks like a receipt. But I’m glad I held onto it because it turned out to be very important.
Our guides needed to use this immigration paper for our accommodations on the trek (I read somewhere that you’ll have to pay taxes if you don’t have the paper) and we were also told to keep it for when leaving the country.
35. You Can Store Your Luggage in Puerto Natales
A common question about hiking the W trek, is where you can keep the rest of your luggage while you’re out on the trail. With Puerto Natales being known as the gateway to Torres del Paine, the majority of hotels and hostels offer luggage storage for free. I stayed at the Hotel Eberhard Capitan the night before and after the W Trek and they have a dedicated room where they store everyone’s luggage for free. My luggage was safe and I had no issues with theft. If you feel nervous leaving your bags, place a luggage lock on it for extra peace of mind.
I don’t recommend staying in Airbnb’s the day before and after your trek, as a lot of Airbnb’s won’t offer this same service.
36. There is a Tipping Culture in Chile
If you are hiking the W Trek with a group, it is expected (but not required of course) to tip your guides and porters. For the 4 day trek I completed, the recommended tips were 40USD/35000clp for the 2 guides, and 20 USD/18000clp for the porter.
If you are hiking independently but purchase food or drinks in the restaurant, the normal tip is 10%. This also applies to restaurants in Puerto Natales.
Final Thoughts on The 36 Things to Know Before Hiking the W Trek in Patagonia
No matter how you decide to hike the famous W Trek in Patagonia, you are sure to have an absolute blast. With this guide on the 35 Things to Know Before Hiking the W Trek in Patagonia, you’ll be fully prepared to make this dream trip the best it can possibly be. Happy adventuring!
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