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TREKKING THE W: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO TORRES DEL PAINE'S ICONIC TREK IN CHILEAN PATAGONIA

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The W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most iconic and popular trekking routes in the world. It’s named after the shape of the trail, which forms a “W” and is composed of around 50 miles of trails through some of the most breathtaking and diverse scenery in the region. I have compiled a complete guide covering everything from how to plan and what to pack below. 

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Why the W Trek?

When I booked my one-way ticket to South America, one of the non-negotiable sights for me was Patagonia. I quickly got to researching and decided the best way to experience the region was through the five-day W Trek. The hike connects all the most iconic and breathtaking views in the famous Torres del Paine National Park. After experiencing this type of hiking, I think that all national parks should create a trek like this. It was life-changing to be able to experience five days of unplugged natural beauty from dawn to dusk alongside other travelers on the same unique journey. 

Who is it for?

 

Solo Travelers 
In my opinion, this is one of the BEST ways to experience backpacking as a solo traveler. I’m not going to lie, I can be a scaredy cat when it comes to camping, especially alone in the wilderness. I have spent many restless nights awake in my tent or hammock alert to every crinkling leaf or coyote howl. However, I can honestly say I didn’t feel uneasy at all during this trek (aside from coming face to face with a puma.. This story will come later). Maybe it was because I was so exhausted from the day’s hiking but there were also plenty of other people camping nearby.. It was also such a beautiful community that was formed over five days. I have friends I still keep in touch with nearly two years later that I met on this trek! 

There are slightly different itineraries and different options for campsites, so not everyone is on the same schedule, but I found that it was the perfect mix of solitude and socializing. I opted to hike alone, stopping to take in the sights and go at my own pace, but then would meet up with all of the other hikers each night to make dinner on our camp stoves and share stories of our travels and experiences from the day. 

With your Favorite People 
With all that being said, it would be lovely to experience this trek with a partner, family member, or group. It’s a sight to marvel at in solitude, but also one that would be even more memorable when shared. On my second day of the trek, the sun came out after a rainy first day, revealing a rainbow. I shed a tear, in awe at the fact that I had made this dream a reality and in shock that I was living life courageously enough to set out on this adventure all alone at the end of the earth. But at that moment, I swore that one day I would take my dad, the man who gave me my love for hiking, back to this trail to be able to experience the magic together. 

Almost All Ages and Abilities 
Another great part about this trek is that it can be scaled to your experience and comfort level with various accommodations up to having a warm bed and warm, ready-made meals at each camp location. I saw a range of hikers including a group of 80+ year-old ladies hiking it with a small backpack, avid backpackers carrying everything they needed to survive, and a couple carrying their 2-year-old child with them for the entire eight-day O circuit!

Preparing for the Trek

When is the Best Time To Go?
The best time to visit is during the Chilean summer from late November to early April. I opted to do the hike towards the end of the season during the last week of March and it was perfect! It happened to be the first week that the temperatures really dropped in the park, but it brought out the changing fall colors. Over the five days, I could see the colors of the trees changing more every day – it was so magical. Just make sure you have enough layers and a warm enough sleeping bag. See what to pack below.

How in Shape Should I Be? 
The W Trek is approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) and involves both ascents and descents. It is safe to say, you will average about 10 miles per day over varying terrain while potentially carrying a heavy pack. Some days, there are add-on destinations that you can hike further to that are breathtaking, so preparing by hiking, walking regularly, and going to the gym will definitely help you have the best experience possible!

For some additional perspective, I am in fairly good shape, but before I went to South America I had taken an extended vacation from hiking and the gym. I was sore just from carrying my backpacks through the airport. Then two weeks later, I completed the W Trek while carrying a very heavy pack (packed in all my food, tent, sleeping bag, and camera gear). Depending on how comfortable you are on the trail and with backpacking, you can always opt to stay in the accommodations along the way so you don’t have to carry as much gear! 

How to Book

If you google the W Trek, it can be really confusing how to book and the prices are all over the map, some even upwards of $1,500 USD self-guided. These expensive options usually include the best accommodations and maybe even a hotel in town the night before and transportation. The peace of mind and ease of the booking might be worth it! Also, if you are looking to do the hike more luxuriously these may be a good option for you!

I was budget traveling and ended up spending under $500 for three nights of camping, one night in a dome, rental gear, transportation, and food. The campsites and refugios across the park are unfortunately operated by different vendors and if you want to book all of the accommodations yourself, you will have to book through four different sites. 

I booked my accommodations through Torres Hike. This is a one-stop shop to book each night’s accommodations, optional meals, and park entrance all in one. The only additional thing you will have to purchase is your bus ticket which can be done online or in person at the station in Puerto Natales. The site even gives a breakdown of the specific itinerary you booked with instructions for where to hike and which bus or boat to take when.

W Trek Itinerary

The biggest decision to make about which itinerary to choose is whether you want to go East to West or West to East. The East end of the W is where Mirador Las Torres is (pictured above and the most iconic scene in the park). I opted to save the best for last and go West to East. This way, it is also possible to get up early and make it to the Mirador for sunrise since you will already be camping nearby. The only wild card here is the weather… it is not uncommon that the mornings will be cloudy and the mountains won’t even be visible. But if you luck out with good weather – it will be a moment that you will never forget. 

The other consideration is how many days you want to take to complete the trek. Five days is the standard, but some people do it in as little as two and others stretch it out across 7 or 8! You can choose your own adventure and pace that suits your needs! You will just have to book your reservations accordingly. 

Another confession that I must admit is that I did not research the itinerary very closely and actually didn’t know what I was going to experience along the trail other than the famous Mirador Las Torres   This actually made my experience even better! Around every corner, my mind was BLOWN by breathtaking views that I had never even seen in photographs. I know –  Patagonia enthusiasts are probably gasping right now. Once you know what the mountains of Patagonia look like, they are easily recognizable. But to my untrained eye, I was walking through a dreamland. For those who like to research, I created an in-depth W-Trek Itinerary post outlining each day of my adventure and included my unfiltered journal from the trail. But I left it out of this post for those who want a pleasant surprise like me 🙂

What to Pack

Below I will go through what to pack specifically for the W Trek. If you want a more comprehensive guide for international travel as a whole, check out my free travel checklist here!

Required Documents
Make sure to bring physical & digital copies.

  • Passport, they will ask for it at some campsites for your reservation
  • Accommodation reservation receipts
  • Park entrance ticket
  • Return bus ticket
  • Cash and credit card in case you need to buy something in the park (food, tent, sleeping bag, wifi, etc.) 

Clothes
The key is to pack layers and make sure you have options that are windproof and waterproof! Conditions change rapidly and it is not uncommon to experience all four seasons in a day while hiking in Patagonia!

Camping Gear 
If you don’t own camping gear or you don’t want to pack it all, I highly recommend renting from Rental Natales. They hooked me up with great quality gear and everything that I needed! 

  • Good quality hiking pack – I use this one (Tara15 for 15% off!)
  • CamelBack for water (game changing!)
  • Filtering Waterbottle (you can drink the water straight from the stream and there is drinkable water at every camp site, but I ALWAYS bring this on any international trip) 
  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag – opt for the warmer version if it’s getting cooler, you won’t regret it! 
  • Sleeping mat 
  • Hiking poles – if you are carrying a heavy pack, these will save your knees no matter what age you are. I highly recommend them even if you think they look uncool 
  • Good gloves –  the wind is no joke and you will need to protect your hands from wind and rain 
  • Warm hat 
  • Headlamp or flashlight 
  • Camp stove, unless you are opting to buy meals
  • Camping utensils
  • Microfiber towel 

Note: if you are buying meals, BRING SNACKS. With the amount of exercise you are getting, you will be hungry. While the meals are expensive, I heard that they were not luxurious or filling. I recommend bringing your own food, it will be cheaper and you will have better control over how much you have to eat. Freeze dried camping meals are great! They don’t sell them in Puerto Natales, so make sure to bring them with you! 

Extras

Photo courtesy of Guillermo Muñoz, owner of Rental Natales.

Extra Considerations

Weather
The weather can change in an instant and the wind is some of the coldest and most intense I have ever felt. Be prepared with extra layers, windproof and waterproof layers, and ample food and water at all times! 

Wildlife 
A variety of wildlife live within the park. Some you will be lucky to experience and others you might not be so lucky … like the mice. 

If you go during the fall, beware of the mice! I know they don’t sound very intimidating, but they will eat through your tent, your backpack, your waterproofing bag… all in search of some food. If you are camping it is wise to pick a spot (if you have a choice) away from shrubs or brush and avoid leaving food in your tent. 

I also came face to face with a Puma (large mountain lion) during my final hike and it was an amazing, yet terrifying experience. See the video and story here. 

Other wildlife that you might encounter include:

  • Guanacos (relatives of llamas & alpacas)
  • Foxes
  • Andean Condors

While it can be exciting (or intimidating) to come face to face with these animals, there are some general rules to keep in mind. 

  1. Maintain a safe distance at all times. These animals are wild and should not be disturbed. 
  2. Do not feed wildlife
  3. Remain calm, do not act scared or run away

Leave No Trace 
Respect and protect the beautiful landscapes for generations to come by leaving no trace. This means to pack out everything that you pack in (garbage, food, equipment) and to do everything you can to leave the park the way you found it. Do not disturb wildlife or pick flowers, and make sure to respect the established cooking areas and procedures put in place by the park to prevent wildfires. 

Emergency Contacts
While disappearing into the wilderness of Patagonia can seem like a great way to unplug, make sure you let someone know what your plans are and when they can expect to hear from you. This goes for all solo travels. I always recommend sharing your location with at least one trusted friend or family member at all times and having regular check-ins for your own and your family’s peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

The W Trek is an activity that everyone should add to their bucket list! While planning and completing a multi-day trek at the end of the earth can seem overwhelming, I promise everything will fall into place and you will be SO happy that you made the trip to experience the untouched beauty of one of the most magical places on earth! 

Have more questions? Drop me a line at tara@adventara.co and follow along @adventara

Happy Adventuring 🙂

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