The Hiking World

Torres del Paine W Trek

Circuito W

Four-to-five day traverse of the Paine massif, linking the Torres viewpoint, the French Valley, and Grey Glacier.

Last verified 2026-01-01 vs CONAF, Vertice, Las Torres

Cite this record

The Hiking World, Torres del Paine W Trek, verified 2026-01-01, https://www.thehikingworld.com/trails/torres-del-paine-w

How we verify · last checked 2026-01-01

Byline

  • The Hiking World editorial · author

    Desk byline for seed records. Named surveying editors replace this once a trail is verified.

Cuernos del Paine from Laguna Los Cisnes, Chile

Figures marked provisional are seed data and still need verification. Source and last-checked date sit under each cited value.

Permits and fees

PermitCostQuota / restrictionIssuerSourceVerified
CONAF park entry + campsite bookingsUnverified — not officially sourcedPark entry approx. CLP 35,000 (foreign, high season)—CONAF, Vertice, Las TorresNot recordedUnverified

Altitude weather delta

High 880 m minus low 30 m is 850 m of relief on this record. A standard tropospheric lapse of 6.5 °C per 1,000 m implies about 5.5 °C cooler at the high point than the valley, all else equal.

That is a model (International Standard Atmosphere environmental lapse), not a forecast and not a trail-closure. Wind, snow, and storms stay in Hazards.

derived:lapse-rate · 2026-09-10 · provisional

ISA 6.5 °C / 1,000 m · wikipedia.org · 2026-09-10

loading map...

Line download is the stored OSM geometry, simplified. It is not a surveyed GPS track. GPX · GeoJSON

Facts-50.940, -72.960
Distance80 km*
seed:approx · 2026-01-01 · editorial · provisional
Ascent+3,300 m*
seed:approx · 2026-01-01 · editorial · provisional
Descent3,300 m*
seed:approx · 2026-01-01 · editorial · provisional
High point880 m*
seed:approx · 2026-01-01 · editorial · provisional
Low point30 m*
seed:approx · 2026-01-01 · editorial · provisional
Routetraverse
Days5
SeasonNov-Mar (austral summer)
GradeSAC T2 · YDS 1

Editorial v1 · Provisional catalog

DifficultyModerate (weather-driven)
SAC T2
Mountain hiking. Continuous trail, some steep ground, sure-footedness helpful.
YDS Class 1
Class 1. Walking on an established path; low fall risk.
Wikidata Q217123

Log in to view the elevation profile

The W follows the southern flank of the Cordillera del Paine. The name comes from the three arms the route traces on a map. Huts and campsites serve the walk. Distance is rarely the limiter: campsites must be booked in advance with two operators plus the park, and a catamaran links Paine Grande to Pudeto.

Patagonian weather is constant context. Winds over 100 km/h are common near Grey. The exposed climb to Mirador Las Torres is often hard because of wind, not grade.

Water

  • Río Ascencioyear-roundtreat: not-needed
  • Refugio Greyyear-roundtreat: recommended

Log in to view treatment notes and access detail

Surface

Surface is not recorded. This field is filled only from an OSM surface tag, not from the grade.

Permits & fees

Permit
CONAF park entry + campsite bookings

Log in to view cost, booking, and issuer

Getting there

Sourced legs to the Laguna Amarga / Las Torres base start station — where this trail record begins. This is not a route planner: durations are approximate and marked provisional until an official transport page confirms them.

  1. Bus · Punta Arenas airport (PUQ) → Puerto Natales bus terminal

    Bus Sur, Buses Pacheco, Buses Fernández. About 3.75 h. About 3.5–4 h / 250 km. No direct bus PUQ→park. Pacheco runs airport-direct; Fernández from the PA terminal.

    torresdelpaine.com · 2026-08-20 · official · provisional

  2. Bus · Puerto Natales → Laguna Amarga / Pudeto park entrance

    Bus Sur. About 3 h. several daily in peak season (Oct–Apr). 2–4 h depending on entrance. Eastern W start is Laguna Amarga.

    swoop-patagonia.com · 2026-08-20 · official · provisional

Plan from your location

Type a city, then pick a match. These links open external search tools — they do not fetch fares or timetables.

Getting there car-free

  • Laguna Amarga / Las Torres · car-free flag: seasonal

    Bus from Puerto Natales to Laguna Amarga, then shuttle.

  • Pudeto (catamaran) · car-free flag: yes

    Catamaran to Paine Grande for the west-to-east direction.

Trailheads

  • Laguna Amarga / Las Torres car-free: seasonal
  • Pudeto (catamaran) car-free: yes

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Hazards

  • Extreme, sudden wind
  • Hypothermia in exposed sectors
  • River crossings after rain

Questions

Do I need a permit for Torres del Paine W Trek?

A permit is listed as required for Torres del Paine W Trek: CONAF park entry + campsite bookings. Status is unverified. This desk does not treat that as an official ruling.

When is the best time to hike Torres del Paine W Trek?

On this record the best season is: Nov-Mar (austral summer).

How difficult is Torres del Paine W Trek?

Torres del Paine W Trek is graded SAC T2 · YDS 1. A sourced hazard on this record: Extreme, sudden wind

How long is Torres del Paine W Trek?

The length on this record is 80 km (provisional). Published figures may differ. See /guides/how-long-is-the-trail

How do I get to Torres del Paine W Trek?

The record’s base start is Laguna Amarga / Las Torres. A primary gateway on the record is Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ). Trailhead transit notes are not included in this public FAQ.

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