3 travelers during trekking
couple sitting in trekking
hiker with his back to the valley
lake pehoe torres del paine catamaran
two travelers walking
snow-capped mountain of the French valley
group walking in torres del paine
mountain during french valley
cuernos del paine in torres del paine
entrance to torres del paine national park
paine grande refuge
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French Valley Hike in Torres del Paine

French Valley Hike with professional guide

(2 reviews)

💡 Tour with departure TUESDAY - THURSDAY - SATURDAY💡

Puerto Natales
1 day
English and Spanish
Starts: From your accommodation in Puerto Natales at 5:30 a.m
Ends: To your lodging in Puerto Natales at 21:00
Free cancellation!

Briefing

Hiking, adventure, and a catamaran ride all in one day — discover the French Valley Hike in Torres del Paine!

Kick off your day early in Puerto Natales with a scenic drive to Torres del Paine National Park. From there, board a catamaran across the stunning Lake Pehoé, arriving at the Paine Grande refuge — the starting point of your trek.

The hike takes you deep into the heart of the park, along the central stretch of the iconic W Trek. You’ll follow the trail to the entrance of the French Valley, then climb through dramatic landscapes until you reach the breathtaking French Lookout, offering panoramic views of hanging glaciers and towering peaks.

After soaking it all in, retrace your steps back to the catamaran and then ride back to Puerto Natales by minibus.

Ready to explore one of Patagonia’s most iconic trails? Read on for all the details.

Tour details

Included

  • Certified local guide
  • Transportation
  • Trekking poles

Not included

  • Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park (approx. 35 USD)
  • Pudeto catamaran ticket (approx. $50 USD)
  • Travel insurance
  • Food and beverage

Important information

❌ The minimum age for this tour is 12 years old.

🛥️ The catamaran ticket must be purchased in cash at the dock (credit cards are not accepted).

🎟️ Entrance to Torres del Paine National Park is not included and must be purchased online in advance at: https://pasesparques.cl/

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

If you cancel at least 24 hours before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of no-show, no refunds will be given.

Tour itinerary

French Valley Trek in Torres del Paine

Duration: 12 hours

Distance: 12.5 miles (20 kilometers)

Difficulty: Medium - High

6:00

Pick up and trip to Torres del Paine

We begin our adventure in Puerto Natales, boarding a van bound for Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile. To reach the trailhead, we take a catamaran that crosses the lake and brings us to the Paine Grande refuge.

french valley landscape with paine grande in the background

Hike to the French Valley Viewpoint

From here, it’s time to grab your trekking poles and start hiking along the north shore of Lake Pehoé. With the Cuernos del Paine rising above us, we follow the central stretch of the W Circuit for about 3 hours until we reach the French Valley viewpoint.

Once there, we pause to take in the views, snap some photos, enjoy our lunch, and rest.

lunch at the french valley viewpoint

Return and catamaran ride through Pudeto

After a one-hour break, we begin the return hike through the French Valley in Torres del Paine, retracing our steps to the Paine Grande refuge. From there, we board the catamaran back to Pudeto. After completing our 12.5-mile (20 km) route, we return by van to Puerto Natales, concluding our French Valley Hike.

travelers walking in the French valley

What to bring to French Valley Hike in Torres del Paine tour

  • Trekking clothing
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun protection
  • USD cash
  • Hiking boots
  • Food and drinks

Where does the tour French Valley Hike in Torres del Paine start

The tour begins in Puerto Natales. If you are traveling from Santiago de Chile the best method of arrival is by flying directly to Puerto Natales. The alternative is flying to Punta Arenas and then taking a bus (3:15 hours) to Puerto Natales Bus Station or booking a private transportation service with us.

Direct buses to Puerto Natales are available if traveling from El Calafate (Argentina) with about a 5-hour trip time. For ease, with us, you can book a transfer from El Calafate to Puerto Natales or a direct transfer between El Calafate and Torres del Paine.

Questions & Answers

  • Do you want to take this tour in private?

    This tour offers the possibility of doing it privately for an additional cost, if you are interested please contact us for details.

  • Do I have to carry all my luggage to the trek?

    No, from Howlanders we recommend you to take only what you need for the trek and leave the rest of the luggage in the luggage room of your accommodation in Puerto Natales.

  • Do I need to bring any documents?

    Yes, it is very important that you carry your passport and the migratory card that you are given when you enter Chile.

  • How difficult is the French Valley Torres del Paine Trek?

    The difficulty of this trek is medium - high. We recommend to have experience in mountain trekking and a good physical condition, as some of the routes can be more complicated.

French Valley Hike in Torres del Paine tour reviews with Howlanders

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