Patagonia Torres del Paine five-day W trek itinerary (west to east)
There are many ways to enjoy Parque Nacional Torres del Paine and the five day W circuit trek is one of the most popular. From Puerto Natales you can also take day trips and, if you prefer or if you’re short on time, you can do the W in four or even 3 days (usually skipping some of the view points).
We did the five day trek from west to east in mid-March. We booked full board (breakfast, lunch packs, and dinner) at refugios and where possible we stayed in dorms, though there was one night when these were fully booked and we camped in a premium campsite.
We booked all of this in one go on Torreshike.com which made it really straightforward and easy to organise. You can also book your bus and boat transport all in the same booking and they will send you a PDF with all the information you need for your travel days. If you choose to book everything separately yourself you will need to organise your own transport.
W trek west to east daily itinerary
Day 1: Paine Grande - Refugio Grey (11-13km)
We caught a bus from Puerto Natales bus station at 6:45am to the park entrance, and then changed on to the bus to Pudeto. If you were hiking east to west you would go on from here to Torres Central and start your trek there.
We had about an hour at Pudeto before catching the 10:30am boat to Paine Grande, which was enough time to get a coffee and some snacks at the small cafe before boarding. As you cross the Pehoe Lake you get amazing views across the water and into the mountains.
Important note: Your bus and boat ticket is not a part of your park entrance ticket or refugio booking so you should book it yourself in Puerto Natales or online in advance. If you book through Torres Hike like we did you can book it all in one go.
After arriving at Paine Grande at about 11:15am we filled up our water and made the most of the facilities at the refugio before continuing on to the Grey Refugio which has amazing views of Laguna los Patos, Lago Grey, and the Grey Glacier on the way.
This walk is about 11km with 305m elevation and 275m down. It took just over 4 hours (11:40am to 4pm) including stops for photos and lunch. We stopped the longest at Laguna Los Patos and Mirador Grey and arrived at Refugio Grey at about 3:45pm.
After checking in we walked to the Mirador Glacier Grey viewpoint that’s about 0.5km from the camp. In total this only took about 30 to 45 minutes including stops and the views across the glacier are incredible.
Day 2: Refugio Grey - Puente Guardas - Paine Grande (18km)
On our second morning we left our big bags at Refugio Grey and hiked 8km from the camp up to Puente Guardas (second bridge) and back. The signs at the campsite say this is 4km / 2 hours each way but we did the full walk in 2 hours 45 minutes. We started at 8:45am and were back at 11:30am.
It took us about 30-35 minutes to reach the first bridge, 1 hour 10 minutes to reach the second bridge and then at 1 hour 20 minutes we were at the incredible viewpoint over the top of the glacier. It then took us about the same amount of time to return – maybe a little less as it’s more downhill on the way back and you’ll spend less time stopping for the views.
This step is an optional addition to the hike but absolutely worth it as the views are breathtaking and it’s not too strenuous. If you’ve got the time before heading down to Paine Grande, leave your big bags at Refugio Grey and hike up to the Mirador and bridges with as little on you as possible to make it even quicker and easier.
We had lunch at Refugio Grey before collecting our bags and hiking back the way we came the day before – 11km to Refugio Paine Grande. The way back took 3 hours 20 minutes as we didn’t stop for lunch but we did take a few water breaks and photo stops.
We left Grey at 12:45pm and arrived at Paine Grande at around 4pm just as it was beginning to rain lightly.
Day 3: Paine Grande - Campamento Italiano - French Glacier - Cuernos (24km)
After breakfast we left Paine Grande at 8:10am and headed to Campamento Italiano, which is about 7km and took 2 hours. The trail is fairly easy without any major inclines or downhill sections so we covered it faster than the previous day’s hike.
We dropped our larger backpacks here and took our small bags with water and essentials up to Mirador Británico. This part was much more challenging and took 2.5 hours up and 2.5 hours back down. The view point at Mirador Francés was amazing, with a full view over the glacier and surrounding mountains. As the sun came out it caused dramatic avalanches down the sides of the mountains.
From here it’s 3km up to Mirador Británico which is the end of the trail. Here you are surrounded by forests and mountains and while the view is obviously incredible, I actually preferred Francés. So if you’re short on time I think it can be missed but if you do have time then go up. The last part is tough but it’s worth it!
We were back at Campamento Italiano before 3:30pm, collected our bags and ate lunch, then set off for Cuernos at 4pm. Everything says that this stretch of the walk is relaxing compared to what’s come before but don’t be fooled! This walk is beautiful, following a clear blue lake the whole way to the camp. But the ground is rocky with some steep ups and downs and by the time we arrived at Cuernos (after a little under 2 hours, at 6ish) our knees and ankles were wrecked! Despite that it was probably my favourite part of the scenery so far, though.
Days 4: Cuernos - Chileno (12km)
Today’s hike is 12km straight to Chileno camp. We set off at about 9:50am since the shorter walk meant we didn’t need a super early start. Today, the full hike was with our big bags which meant a slower pace. But it was a good reason to slow down and take in the scenery without rushing.
The all takes you along the lake, through meadows, and finally up and into the mountains. It took about 4.5 hours with stops to cover the 12km at a steady pace with uphill areas taking longer. There were some wet and muddy patches along the walk but nothing particularly difficult or strenuous and for me it was the easiest (or least difficult) day so far and I arrived at Chileno camp without the aches and pains of the days before!
Day 5: Chileno - Torres del Paine - Torres Central (14km)
To see the sunrise over Torres del Paine, we were up at 4:30am and left camp about 5:30am. From Chileno it’s just over 4km up to Torres del Paine which took us 1 hour 45 minutes. We spent a little over an hour up there, watching the colours change over the towers. It was absolutely freezing and even snowed while we were up there but the view is worth all the effort of the past five days.
It took us about 1 hour 50 minutes back down to Chileno where we stopped for a coffee and empanada and to pick up our packed lunches and bags for the final stretch of the trek.
From Chileno it’s then 6km down to Torres Central. It took us 2 hours at a relaxed pace and arrived at the welcome centre at 1:30pm. In total the day’s hikes took us 8 hours with under 6 hours of moving time. Just don’t be fooled by the black roofs that you’re approaching for a lot of this hike… that isn’t Central! Once you’re there, the walk to the end is flat and easy, though.
We caught the 2pm shuttle then the 3pm bus back to Puerto Natales and arrived at the bus station at
Our luggage had been left with Wild Hostel while we were hiking and we spent the next two nights relaxing in Puerto Natales before moving onto El Calafate for the next stop of our Patagonia adventure.
Find out more about our five day hike in Patagonia including a packing list here.