Torres del Paine W Trek 3-Day Tour (Partial Trail)

Welcome W Trek in 3 Days

We know a 3-day mountain route needs good planning, that's why a briefing is planned (in person or online). 

A few days before you arrive to Puerto Natales you’ll receive an email with instructions to pick up your welcome kit (which includes tickets, a map, metal bottle...) and resolve any last-minute doubts you may have.

Access to Torres del Paine National Park

The first day of the 3-day W Torres del Paine trek starts early. You’ll be departing from the bus station in Puerto Natales, at 07:00 am.

The bus will take you to the Laguna Amarga welcome center where you’ll register as a visitor and enter the park.

Torres del Paine Base Trekking

Once inside the park, take a shuttle bus to the Welcome Center. This is the starting point of your exciting Base Torres del Paine trek.

The first day’s route is divided into 3 parts: initial slope, descent, and final ascent. 

The trail will start flat for 1.24 mi (2 km). After crossing the Ascencio Valley you’ll reach the first steep stretch. This is followed by a 1.86-mile (3 km) trail leading to the Paso de Los Vientos.

Lenga Forest - La Morrena - Base Torres Viewpoint

Continue along a flat stretch of 2.48 mi (4 km.) that passes through the Chileno Sector. You’ll be in an entirely different ecosystem when the trail crosses the Lenga Forest, this ends at the beginning of the third section. We recommend stopping here to refill your water before facing the final stretch.

For almost 1.25 mi (2 km) your path snakes between big rocks. The slope is difficult but the reward is even better: the Base Torres del Paine viewpoint.

Torres del Paine Base Viewpoint

From this viewpoint, enjoy the sparkling Torres del Paine Lake and the famous granite towers that give the national park its name.

Central Sector

After the break, start your return on the same trail ending at the Central Sector, where you’ll check in with the refuge’s reception. This is where they’ll assign your dinnertime and breakfast the next day. Afterward, take time to rest, shower, have a drink at the bar, and eat dinner.

Breakfast Central Sector

If you’re staying at CAMPING or REFUGIO, breakfast will be at Refugio Central at your assigned time (between 7:30 am and 8:30 am). When you’re done, don’t forget to pick up your lunch box!

After breakfast, start the second day's trek. Today is the least demanding of the 3-day W circuit.

Lake Nordenskjöld

After breakfast, day two of the express Torres del Paine W trek begins. This will be the least demanding day. The trek will feature very little elevation and the trail is in very good condition. Walk along the Nordenskjöld Lake, cross a small river, and enjoy the stretches of landscape along the beaches that form next to the lake.

Almirante Nieto Mountain - Cuernos del Paine

For most of the day, the scenery will be the stunning Cerro Almirante Nieto and the Cuernos del Paine.

Francés Sector in Torres del Paine

You’ll find yourself in one of the most welcoming camps of the W route (that cuts through Chilean Patagonia) when arriving at the Francés Sector of Torres del Paine National Park.

The Torres del Paine W Circuit 3-Day Tour includes lodging in the French Sector on the second night. When the French Sector is full and has no availability, the Cuernos Sector will be assigned for that night. If you have a preference for one of these two sectors, please contact us or let us know in the reservation form.

On the third and last day of the 3-Day W Trek, you’ll choose between one of the two treks proposed below. Because this tour is a shortened version of the W route, it’s not possible to reach both viewpoints due to lack of time.

OPTION 1: Starting from the Francés Sector, this is the French Valley Trek to the British Viewpoint. From here, you’ll descend to Paine Grande where a boat (catamaran) will take you to Pudeto.

OPTION 2: You’ll leave the Francés Sector, and pass through Paine Grande, to reach the first viewpoint of the Grey Glacier, then you’ll return to Paine Grande to take the catamaran.

⭐ If you really want to do both treks to see both viewpoints, it’s necessary to take a longer tour. Here you can see all the available options.

Italian Camp → British Lookout

After breakfast, the day begins with a gentle hike from the Francés Sector to the Italian Camp. From the Francés Sector, you will take a 0.87 mi (1.4 km.) trail that leads you to the intersection where the trail splits: one trail ascends to the French and British viewpoint with the other continuing to Paine Grande. 

The ascent to the viewpoints is 0.62 miles (1 km.) to the "Campamento Italiano". This camp is for the exclusive use of CONAF park rangers and offers a "nursery" service, where many travelers can leave their large backpacks. 

From there, the hike to the French lookout begins, a 1.55 mi (2.5 km) walk with 984 ft (300 m) of elevation gain.

Torres del Paine British Lookout

After reaching the French viewpoint continue to the scenic British viewpoint. The route is 1.86 mi (3 km) long with 920 ft (280 m) of elevation gain. When you reach the viewpoint, don’t be afraid to find a rocky area to climb and take the best picture of the British viewpoint. Enjoy the breathtaking views.

Skottsberg Lake

To finish the route this day of the circuit, you’ll return via the same path and pick up your backpack from the "nursery". Afterward, continue down the remaining 6.6 miles (9 km) to the Paine Grande refuge. This path has a slight negative slope that your legs will appreciate. Next, you’ll cross a sector that suffered a fire a few years ago, here the tree trunks create a somewhat gloomy landscape.

Paine Grande Refuge

Skirt the lake until you finally reach the Paine Grande Sector.

Paine Grande 🚢 Pudeto 🚌 Puerto Natales

Once in Paine Grande head to the pier to board the catamaran that will take you to Pudeto (the boat ticket is included in the tour price). In Pudeto, you’ll catch the bus that will take you back to Puerto Natales, where you should arrive at about 9:30 pm.

🚨It is important to accurately calculate your walking time so that you can arrive at the pier at least 20 minutes before the departure. The exact departure time will be confirmed at the briefing.

Francés Sector → Paine Grande Sector

After eating breakfast in the dining room of the Refugio Francés, don’t forget to pick up your lunch box! Now, you’ll start the route along the Skottsberg Lake that leads to the Paine Grande Sector.

This first stretch will be calm, due to very little slope. The real challenge will begin upon arrival at the Paine Grande Refuge: climbing up to the first Grey Glacier viewpoint.

1st Grey Viewpoint

Walk around Cerro Paine Grande, enjoying the spectacular hanging glaciers. Then stroll among Nirres, Coigües and Notros. When you leave the grove, you’ll be close to your destination: the first viewpoint over Grey Lake. From here, admire the magnitude of this glacier and see its ice floes floating about Lake Grey.

Take advantage of this idyllic location and enjoy your lunch box, and after the break, start your way back to Paine Grande.

Paine Grande 🚢 Pudeto 🚌 Puerto Natales

Once in Paine Grande, head to the pier and board the catamaran that will take you to Pudeto (the catamaran ticket is included in the tour price). In Pudeto, catch the bus that will take you back to Puerto Natales, where you will arrive at 9:30 pm.

🚨It’s important to accurately calculate your walking time so that you arrive at the pier at least 20 minutes before the departure of the catamaran.