Backpacking Patagonia’s “W” Trek in Torres Del Paine National Park
Located in southern Chile, Torres Del Paine National Park holds the infamous “W” Trek. This route hits all the highlights in the national park including Mirador Torres (The “Towers”), French Valley, and Lago Grey. In this travel guide you will find everything you need to know about backpacking the “W” route including all the resources you need for reservations, packing list, gear recommendations, and a sample itinerary.
Torres Del Paine National Park has a ton of resources for any kind of adventure you are comfortable with. There are hotels with bedding (no need to carry a tent or sleeping pad), different options for food you can order in advance (don’t have to pack your own food or stove), and even a brewery right in the middle of the park. However, this is a guide if you want to truly “backpack” Torres Del Paine. You will be carrying everything you need on your back and using the National Park’s tent campgrounds. This is the cheapest way to travel through the park, and in my opinion the best! Embracing the weather conditions, carrying everything you need to live on your back, and sleeping under the stars, its truly a rewarding trip. Go out and explore this bucket list worthy place!
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Travel
Airports
The best airport to fly into is Puerto Natales Airport
Most flights connect through Santiago International Airport
Transportation
From the airport, take a short taxi ride into the quaint town of Puerto Natales
From there you will take a 2 hour bus ride to Torres Del Paine
Trail Aspects
Length: 45.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 9671 ft
Type of Trail: Through hike with 3 out and backs
Recommend 5 nights of backpacking
Reservation Resources
Transportation
National Park Entrance Pass
Camping Permits
The camping site reservations can be super confusing, because each campsite is essentially run by a different company. Therefore, requiring multiple single night reservations on different websites (and the websites rarely work correctly). We used Torres Hike reservation system and it saved us so much confusion and time. This website does all the hard work for you, by contacting all the different reservation companies and completing your permit requests all in one reservation. All you do is enter your dates, click on the “Custom Trek” tab at the top left of the page and enter your desired campsites (see the sample itinerary below for an example of what to choose!) Reserve these well in advance as they sell out quick!
You must have each reservation printed and with you to check into each campsite
Sample Itinerary (Hiking East to West)
Day 1-2 (Travel Day)
Fly into Puerto Natales Airport and stay the night close to the bus station (So you can walk to the bus station)
Day 3
Take last bus (2:30pm) to Torres Del Paine (choose the Terminal Laguna Amarga drop off location): 2 hour drive
Arrive at Terminal Laguna Amarga at 4:30pm, present your National Park Pass to the clerks and they will direct you to another smaller shuttle that will take you to the start of the “W” on the east side.
Walk about a quarter of a mile to Torres Central Campsite and check in for the night
Go to bed as early as possible this night, as you have a super early wake up call tomorrow!
Camping reservation: Torres Central
Day 4
Hiking to Mirador Base Las Torres (The Towers) for sunrise
Depending on how fast you hike, this could take 3-4 hours one way. We suggest waking up at 1am, leave your campsite set up and pack up your day pack, leave by 1:30am
Bring breakfast and lunch with you as this will be a long day!
Hike 6.5 miles to Mirador Base Las Torres and watch the “orange glow” on the towers as the world wakes up!
Hike 3 miles down to Refugio Chileno and eat lunch
Hike the last 3 miles back down to Torres Central
Camping Reservation: Torres Central
Day 5
Pack up camp and hike 10 miles to Frances Campsite
Camping Reservation: Frances
Day 6
Pack up camp and hike 1 mile to base of the French Valley
There is a hut there that you can leave your backpacks for the day hike up the French Valley
Hike 7 miles out and back through the French Valley
Pick up backpacks and hike 5 miles to Paine Grande Campsite
Camping Reservation: Paine Grande
Day 7
Pack up camp and hike 6 miles to Grey Camping
Will see Mirador Lago Grey on the way
Set up camp (This campsite doesn’t have designated tent pads, so ensure you set up camp as soon as you get there to make sure you get a good spot!)
Walk 0.5 miles to Mirador Grey
If you have the energy and time keep going and hit some of the swinging bridges!
You should have extra time this day, so check out a kayaking tour through Grey Glacier!
Camping Reservation: Grey
Day 8
Pack up camp and hike 6 miles back to Paine Grande
Catch a one-way ferry from Paine Grande Boat dock to Pudento where you will catch your return bus trip back to Puerto Natales
Stay the night in Puerto Natales
Day 9
Fly out of Puerto Natales back home
Packing List and Gear Recommendations
Patagonia is known for having all 4 seasons hit every single day. So you will most likely encounter hot sunny days that turn into a heavy rainfall or wind storms in a matter of minutes. Therefore, you will need to pack for all seasons and weather! We started almost everyday in shorts and a tank top, then mid day would put on rain gear, and one day it even started snowing on us! Here is a encompassing list to ensure you are well prepared for any type of weather including gear recommendations.
