The W Trek
✓ Verificada contra la agencia · CONAFThe iconic W-shaped traverse across the southern face of the Paine massif. Four valleys — Torres, Francés, Grey — connected by lakeside trail through lenga forest, suspension bridges, and moraine scrambles. Day 2 (Base Torres sunrise) is the marquee moment; day 4 (Valle del Francés to Mirador Británico) is the hardest. East-to-west direction puts the hardest climb first while legs are fresh.
Distancia
63.5 km
Elevación máx.
870m (Mirador Base Torres)
Duración
4–5 days
Clasificación de seguridad
DificultadMulti-day trek
GuíaNo guide needed
EquipoTraction / poles
OficialSí
MantenidaSí
Temporada
Main season ~Oct–Apr; refugios/camps mid-Sept–mid-Apr, safest Nov–Mar. CONAF ordered a temporary winter closure of the W trail 1 Jun–31 Jul 2026 (Base Torres open then only with a certified guide).
Peligros
- ▲extreme wind (gusts ~120–160 km/h)
- ▲rapidly changing weather — sun/rain/snow in a day
- ▲cold, hypothermia risk