A detailed guide to the best 4 Day W Trek Itinerary in Patagonia, including a complete day-by-day breakdown and important logistics.
The W Trek is an iconic multi-day hike in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. It is also considered one of the best hikes in all of Patagonia and even South America.
There are numerous ways you can tackle the W Trek, from the direction you hike to the number of days. I recently completed the W Trek over 4 days and 3 nights with a small group tour organized by G Adventures. We hiked the W Trek from East to West and I fell in love with our itinerary! It was the perfect pacing, not too rushed but covering the best highlights of Torres del Paine.
In this 4 day W Trek itinerary in Patagonia, I’ll cover all the details for you to recreate the trip yourself, as well as important bonus planning tips.
If you are hiking the W Trek, don’t miss out on the 36 Things to Know Before Hiking the W Trek in Patagonia, where I cover every single essential detail you need to successfully plan and execute your trip.
The Perfect 4 Day W Trek Itinerary in Patagonia
Day 1: Hike To and From the Base of the Towers (Mirador Las Torres)
Distance: 22 Km
Ascent: 2956 ft of elevation gain
Time: 7 – 9 hours
The first day of this 4 day W trek itinerary in Patagonia will cover a lot of ground. You’ll kick off the day bright and early departing from Puerto Natales. A 2-hour drive delivers you to the Laguna Amarga entrance gate of Torres del Paine National Park. If you are hiking without a guided tour, the best way to get to the park is by bus. Aim to grab the 6:45 am or 7 am bus to align with the itinerary pacing. After checking in at the park ranger’s office at Laguna Amarga, you’ll continue to the welcome centre.
Ascencio Valley
From the welcome centre, the trek begins! You’ll start the 22 km with a steady ascent for about 4 km towards Refugio Chileno. The highlight of this section is the beautiful Ascencio Valley, where you’ll hike on the side of a mountain with incredible views.
After stopping at the Chileno Refugio for a quick break, you’ll soon enter a beautifully dense forest in the valley with a rushing river to provide magical background noise. Ascend further through the forest for another 3 km until the trail turns to an exposed gravel ascent. As soon as you exit the forest, you’ll catch a glimpse of what’s in store for your last push to the top. This is considered the most difficult portion of the hike, but the good news is that it only takes about 45 minutes!
Pro Tip: If you’re wondering how difficult this section really is, I’d say it is quite manageable if you’re a semi-regular hiker. The only challenge is that you’ll be hiking uphill for 45 minutes, so just pace yourself.
The Base of the Towers
Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted by the well-deserved views of the bright blue lake and three towers standing tall above it all. You can walk down right to the edge of the lake for photos and find rocky alcoves to eat your lunch tucked away from the wind.
Pro Tip: If you reach the top to find the towers are covered by the clouds, wait at least 30 mins before departing. This happened to us, but luckily our mountain guide confidently told us to wait it out. The weather in Chilean Patagonia changes incredibly quickly, especially if it is windy. With the wind blowing, the clouds might lift and you could still catch a peak of the iconic towers.
Once you’ve had your fill of the view, head back the way you came. This is an out-and-back trail, so to complete your first day, hike back down to Central Sector. This is where trekking poles can really come in handy to save your knees.
Accommodation:
Spend the first night at the Central Sector Campsite. You can choose between fully outfitted permanent tents with a mat and sleeping bag, a site to pitch your own tent, or the nearby Hotel Las Torres. The campground has full bathrooms with showers, a small shop for supplies, and a nearby restaurant/bar. The hotel even features a luxury spa if that’s your jam.
Logistics For The Day:
- You can purchase bus tickets from your accommodation in Puerto Natales or directly from the bus station.
- If you are bussing to the trailhead, you’ll need to catch a minibus transfer from the Amarga entrance. There are multiple minibusses that wait to transfer those that have just arrived on the big buses from town and cost 5000 CLP.
- The park entrance fee for 4 days costs 49 USD and must be purchased in advance online.
Day 2 – Central Camp to Los Cuernos
Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 528 ft
Time: 4 – 5 hours
For your second day on the W Trek trail, you’ll have a slightly more relaxed route to help recover from the previous scenic but strenuous hike. The path is considered quite gentle overall, involving only a few short uphill and downhill sections. Sleep in a bit and start the day hiking from Central Sector to Los Cuernos camp.
Marvel at the Seemingly Impossible Colour of Lago Nordenskjold
The trail picks up where yesterday’s route left off. This time, after crossing the same first suspension bridge, take a left to continue to new gorgeous scenery. The first few kilometers follow a gravel track with towering mountain peaks on your right. Before long, the startling teal waters of Lago Nordenskjold come into full view. The water is honestly the colour of a bright teal crayon, no exaggeration. Needless to say, pausing to appreciate this iconic lakescape is a must among the day’s highlights.
For the rest of the trail, you’ll continue along the lake, passing over a rocky waterfall, through stretches of forest, and with new mountain views emerging around every corner.
Keep an Eye Out for Guanacos and Condors
This stretch proved wildlife-rich. Keep your eyes peeled for abundant guanacos, especially in the first hour. You’ll also want to look out for condors gliding gracefully above. You may even witness avalanches crashing down on distant glaciers.
After about 4 – 5 hours of hiking, you’ll see your first glimpse of Los Cuernos campsite, nestled in the forest between the towering peaks of Los Cuernos Mountain, and the sparkling blue waters of Lago Nordenskjold.
Accommodation:
Accommodation for your second night will be at Los Cuernos Sector. This sector offers premium tents, sites for your own tent, cabin rentals (aka cabanas), and bunk beds inside their refugio. There are proper washrooms with hot showers and there is a restaurant/bar area where you can purchase food and drinks.
The lake is located right next to the refugio, only a few minutes walk, and is a great place to enjoy the view and soak your hardworking feet. Please keep in mind, that while soaking your feet is allowed, you are not allowed to swim in any of the park’s lakes for conservation reasons.
Day 3 – Los Cuernos to the French Valley and Finish at Paine Grande
Distance: 19 km
Ascent: 1,263
Time: 8 hours
Day 3 of your 4 day W Trek itinerary in Patagonia delivers some truly breathtaking alpine scenery as you explore the French Valley. Though the previous days left me in awe, somehow this day became my absolute favourite – and soon you’ll see why.
Starting bright and early at Los Cuernos, head out on the trail at 7 am. Hike through a relaxing forest section for the first 5.5 km, passing Refugio Frances, until you reach Camp Italiano. Replenish yourself with a relaxing break before beginning the 3 km ascent to the Mirador Frances overlook.
A Steep Climb to Mirador Frances
This portion of the trail is steep, ascending through a forest with rocky sections and a few small stream crossings. There are plenty of breaks in the forest canopy, providing incredible views of the valley behind you and the incredible glacier mountains towering in front. I actually found this portion of the hike to be steeper than the top section of the towers hike, but don’t worry, it’s short-lived before reaching some insane views!
Upon reaching the overlook, shaky leg muscles will be the last thing on your mind. You’ll find yourself surrounded by giants. Los Cuernos towers on one flank with the massive Paine Grande and its glaciers dominating the other – you’ll quite literally be surrounded by mountains. This vantage point is also excellent for observing avalanches.
After soaking in the view and refueling with a snack, start the descent back along the familiar path. Take a short breather at Italian camp before embarking on the final 8 km towards Refugio Paine Grande. This portion of the trail keeps it chill with relatively flat terrain, offering a pleasant mix of small ups and downs.
Some Eerie Beauty and the Best View of Los Cuernos Mountain Yet
If you think you’ve seen it all at this point, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what this next portion of the trail has to offer. You’ll enter a part of the park that was destroyed by a wildfire in 2011, where a tourist broke the rules and started the fire by trying to burn toilet paper (don’t worry, he was caught in Puerto Natales trying to flee). Despite the unfortunate backstory, there is a haunting beauty to the bleached white tree trunks that fill the area, stretching up the mountainside. The vibrant red flowers dotted throughout the landscape add a breathtaking juxtaposition to the whole picture.
The arguably best view of the day unfolds as you make your way around the lake and cast your gaze back toward the path you just completed. You’ll witness the majestic intersection of two incredible mountains with the best view of Los Cuernos mountain yet. After emerging from the forest, you’ll continue through a hilly grassland with jagged mountains behind you, before catching your first glimpse of Refugio Paine Grande – your haven for the night.
Accommodation:
For your third and final night of the trek, you’ll stay at the beautiful Refugio Paine Grande. This refugio offers regular camping or bunk beds in their mountain hut. There is a big cafeteria with buffet-style food, a bar upstairs, proper washrooms, and a small shop to buy snacks and supplies. This campsite is set right beside Lago Pehoe and has fantastic views of the mountains as well.
Day 4 – Hike to a Lookout Point Over Grey Glacier and Depart on Lake Pehoe
Distance: 11km
Ascent: 500 ft
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Cap off the last day of your 4 Day W Trek itinerary in Patagonia with a stunning adventure to the Grey Glacier lookout (Mirador Grey). The name of the game today is pace, as you’ll cover a total of 11 km before 11 am to catch a ferry.
Pro tip: Streamline your morning by having all of your stuff packed and waiting for you out front of the refugio. Keep it light for the hike and ensure a swift departure upon your return.
The Hike to Mirador Grey
Start the hike promptly at 7 am, venturing into the valley towards Refugio Grey. You’ll traverse a picturesque landscape adorned with green moss, mountain views on your right, and serene ponds along the way. The 5.5 km to the lookout point will be a steady ascent and you’ll pass a few streams. Your goal is to reach the lookout point by 9 am. With a brisk pace, this is easily achievable. We managed to reach the lookout in just under 1.5 hours.
Enjoy the views of the glowing blue glacier in the distance and crack a beer to celebrate the final lookout of the trek! After a short break to enjoy the view, head back down the trail you came to return to Refugio Paine Grande.
Take in Your Final Views on the Lago Pehoe Catamaran
You’ll want to reach Paine Grande by 10:30 am so you can be in line to catch the 11 am ferry. The ferry is first come first serve so that is why it’s important to line up shortly before it arrives.
Once you’ve set sail, head to the top deck to take in some spectacular views of the park’s mountains. The 25 minute boat ride is a fitting farewell to your memorable 4 days in the park. After arriving at Pedato Jetty, start the journey back to Puerto Natales.
Accommodation:
For your final day of the trek, you’ll be heading back into Puerto Natales. There are numerous hotels, hostels, and airbnb options in town. I recommend staying in the same hotel or hostel the night before the trek and for your final night. This allows you to easily store your extra luggage at that accommodation and makes it easier to find your way to a familiar place after a busy 4 days of hiking. I stayed at Hotel Capitan Eberhard and found it comfortable, clean, and very accommodating when it came to luggage. They also have free breakfast.
Logistics:
Ferry:
- The Lake Pehoe catamaran costs 26,000 CLP to ride. Tickets can only be purchased on board on a first-come first-served basis. If you are traveling with a group, this will be completely taken care of for you.
Bus:
- If you need to take a bus back into town, you can use your return ticket for any of the available bus times. The last bus departs at 7 pm in the high season (summer). The bus ride takes about 2 – 3 hours to get to Puerto Natales.
- There is a cafe and some washrooms at Pedato Jetty for killing time between your ferry and bus ride
Hiking the W Trek East Vs. West Direction
The W Trek can be hiked in either direction starting in the West at Refugio Paine Grande or East at the Welcome Centre. There are pros and cons to hiking it in either direction. In this itinerary, the trek is done East to West intentionally. I personally enjoyed this direction because you get the most challenging day done first on fresh legs. Then the following days are broken up nicely to give you breaks after longer days.
Should I Hike the W Trek with a Guide?
When planning your W Trek hike, you can choose between trekking with a guided tour or independently. I opted to do the trek with a guided tour because I was traveling solo and wanted the safety assurance of a guide. Doing the hike with a guide took the stress out of planning every detail and allowed me to fully soak in the stunning scenery from start to finish!
The logistics of arranging the W Trek independently are pretty complicated. Researching and booking all the campsites separately, choosing between full board and accommodation-only options, and arranging transportation to and from the park all require a lot of careful consideration. While entirely manageable, I appreciated not having to spend extensive hours navigating these details. Moreover, the guided tour allowed me to travel light with just a daypack, as accommodation, food, and even the assistance of porters for carrying essentials were all provided.
I hiked the W Trek with G Adventures and I loved that decision for every second of the hike. We got to stay in a private campsite at Laguna Azul, overlooking the towers and a sparkling lake. The trip was impeccably organized, with delectable food and an electric group dynamic. Lifelong connections were forged and the guides contributed significantly to the vibrant energy of the entire adventure.
Gear and Supplies for the W Trek
When hiking the W Trek, it is incredibly important to be prepared. Patagonia is known for its tumultuous weather conditions, with all 4 seasons sometimes making an appearance in a single day. Some staples you’ll want to ensure you have for the hike are:
- Your own gear if you intend to camp fully independently – including tent, sleeping pad, small cook stove, and food
- Layers of clothing – you’ll be stripping your layers on and off as you go
- Rain gear to protect yourself from the rain and high winds
- A sleeping bag that suits the time of year you’re hiking in
- A water bottle to fill up along the hike
- A day pack to carry your layers and snacks for the day if you’re hiking with porters
- A first aid kit with KT tape in case of knee pain
- Cash to pay for snacks/drinks at the refugios
- A phone or camera to capture the amazing adventure
Pro Tip: You can rent pretty much anything you need for the hike. Rental Natales is a great option. Their rental gear is well-maintained and they provide a seamless process overall.
When to Hike the W Trek
The best time to hike the W Trek is in the summer months (December – February). This is considered the peak season and attracts more hikers due to the warmer weather, longer daylight, and lower chances of rain.
The shoulder seasons in the spring (October – November) and fall (March – April) are also great options for their own reasons. You can read more about the pros and cons for each season in my larger guide to hiking the W Trek.
Final Thoughts on the Best 4 Day W Trek Itinerary Patagonia
The 4 day W Trek in Patagonia itinerary delivers an unforgettable immersion in Patagonia’s postcard landscapes and wildlife-rich trails. From scenic hiking surrounded by massive glaciers and towering peaks to cozy refugio accommodations and camaraderie with fellow travelers, this route maximizes wilderness thrills while maintaining a comfortable pace.
Completing the iconic W trek reinforced my view that Chilean Patagonia truly deserves its reputation as one of the globe’s premier trekking destinations. Whether hiking independently or joining a small group, following this detailed 4-day plan will allow full absorption in the park’s splendors from start to fascinating finish. Happy adventuring!
* Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products and companies that I use. Thanks for the support!
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