Torres del Paine in Winter – Guided W Trek Tour

Hiking Torres del Paine in winter is a truly unique experience: snow-covered peaks, quiet trails, and a sense of untouched wilderness that’s hard to find at any other time of year.

At Howlanders, we offer several guided winter programs available from May through September. All tours start and end in Puerto Natales and are designed to accommodate different hiking paces and travel preferences. The exact route and daily distances vary depending on the program selected.

Below is the detailed itinerary for the 6-day version👇, which includes two nights of accommodation in Puerto Natales, two nights at Paine Grande Lodge, and one night at Grey Lodge.

If you're looking for a shorter or longer version of the W Trek winter experience — or would like to customize your itinerary — contact us and we’ll help you choose the option that best fits your travel plans this season.

Arrival in Puerto Natales

Upon arrival in Puerto Natales, you’ll check in at your accommodation and have time to settle in before your winter trekking adventure begins.

Pre-Trek Briefing

At the scheduled time, you’ll attend a mandatory briefing at our local office with your guide. During this meeting, we’ll review the full itinerary for the upcoming days, discuss winter trail conditions, weather expectations, park logistics, and essential safety recommendations.

This is also the perfect moment to ask questions and make sure you’re fully prepared for hiking Torres del Paine in winter.

The rest of the day is free to relax, explore the waterfront, or enjoy a quiet evening in town. We recommend getting a good night’s rest — tomorrow your W Trek winter adventure begins.

Departure from Puerto Natales

After breakfast at your accommodation, you’ll depart early in a private minibus with your guide toward Torres del Paine National Park. The scenic two-hour drive introduces you to Patagonia’s vast landscapes before reaching the park.

You’ll enter through Laguna Amarga Gate, one of the main access points, where — weather permitting — you’ll enjoy a distant view of the iconic Towers. After completing park entry procedures, you’ll continue to the trailhead.

Before starting the hike, your guide will provide a technical briefing, review equipment, and distribute any necessary gear based on trail conditions (trekking poles, crampons, or gaiters if snow is present).

Base Torres Hike

The hike begins with a steady uphill climb through the Ascencio Valley, offering wide-open views as you gain elevation. Cerro Almirante Nieto dominates the skyline as the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic.

You’ll continue through lenga forest alongside the Ascencio River toward the Chileno sector, where you’ll take a short break before tackling the final ascent. The last section is the most demanding — a rocky climb that may be partially snow-covered during winter.

At the summit viewpoint, standing before the iconic Central, Monzino, and Dagostini Towers, you’ll witness one of Patagonia’s most legendary landscapes. Weather permitting, you’ll have time to rest, take photos, and fully absorb the moment.

Return to Puerto Natales

After enjoying the viewpoint, you’ll descend along the same trail back to the starting point. Your private transfer will then take you back to Puerto Natales.

You’ll arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon, completing an intense and unforgettable day — and your first major milestone hiking Torres del Paine in winter.

Departure from Puerto Natales & Park Entrance

After breakfast at your accommodation, you’ll depart by private transfer with your guide to Torres del Paine National Park.

You’ll enter through the CONAF Administration sector, where the Las Carretas Trail begins. After a short briefing and final preparations, you’ll start hiking toward Paine Grande.

Las Carretas Trail

This wide, gently rolling trail crosses open Patagonian steppe landscapes with gradual elevation gain. Along the way, you’ll enjoy expansive views of the Paine Massif, the Cuernos, and Lake Pehoé.

It’s a steady and scenic stage that allows you to move deeper into the park at a comfortable pace. In winter, the combination of open terrain, snow-dusted ground, and dramatic skies creates a quiet and immersive atmosphere.

During the final stretch, the trail descends gently toward the shores of Lake Pehoé, where Paine Grande Lodge is located.

Arrival at Paine Grande Lodge

Upon arrival, you’ll check in and have time to rest after the hike.

In the afternoon, enjoy the lakeside setting before dinner at the lodge. Tomorrow, you’ll head into one of the most impressive sections of the trek.

Departure from Paine Grande Lodge

The day begins early at Paine Grande Lodge. After breakfast, you’ll collect your packed lunch and prepare for one of the most spectacular stages of the trek.

The trail starts by following the turquoise waters of Lake Skottsberg, offering open views of the Paine Massif. It’s a gradual start that allows you to warm up before heading deeper into the valley.

Ascent into French Valley

After approximately 2–3 hours of hiking, you’ll reach the Italiano sector, where the ascent into French Valley begins. From here, the terrain becomes more demanding, with rocky sections and forested trails typical of Patagonia.

As you gain elevation, the scenery grows increasingly dramatic. Your goal is the French Valley viewpoint, where panoramic views reveal Los Cuernos del Paine, glacier-fed lakes, and massive hanging glaciers descending from the eastern face of Paine Grande.

At the viewpoint, you’ll enjoy your packed lunch surrounded by one of the park’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Return to Paine Grande Lodge

After taking time to rest and enjoy the scenery, you’ll retrace your steps back to the Italiano sector and continue toward Paine Grande Lodge.

You’ll arrive in the afternoon, having completed one of the most iconic and visually striking stages of the winter W Trek.

Departure from Paine Grande Lodge

After breakfast at Paine Grande Lodge, you’ll begin hiking toward the Grey sector. The trail enters a narrow, winding valley surrounded by mountains and low vegetation typical of this part of the park.

As you move forward, the landscape gradually opens up near Laguna Los Patos, revealing broader views and a more dramatic setting.

Toward Grey Glacier

Continuing along the trail, you’ll catch your first views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and Lake Grey, known for its floating blue icebergs.

The route crosses a windswept viewpoint before descending through mountain forest toward Grey Lodge.

If weather conditions are favorable and the group maintains a steady pace, you may continue a bit farther to the main Grey Glacier viewpoint. From here, you’ll enjoy a direct view of one of the glacier’s massive fronts — a powerful arm of the Southern Ice Field and one of the most striking highlights of the trek.

Arrival at Grey Lodge

Upon arrival at Grey Lodge, you’ll check in and settle into your room. After a rewarding day on the trail, you’ll have time to rest and recharge.

The day concludes with dinner at the lodge, set along the shores of Lake Grey — a spectacular setting for your final night inside the park.

Morning at Grey Lodge

The day begins with breakfast at Grey Lodge. Before departure, you’ll collect your packed lunch and have a few moments to take in the lakeside setting and say goodbye to one of the park’s most dramatic areas.

At the scheduled time, you’ll board the Grey III boat (included) to sail across Lake Grey toward Grey Beach.

Grey Lake Navigation

During the crossing, you’ll sail directly in front of the massive Grey Glacier, one of the main outlets of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. From the boat, you’ll witness deep blue ice walls, floating icebergs, and the vast scale of the surrounding landscape framed by the Paine Massif.

This navigation offers a completely different perspective of the glacier — a memorable finale to your trek.

Return to Puerto Natales

Upon arrival at Grey Beach, you’ll disembark and walk approximately 20–30 minutes along a marked trail to the Pingo sector, where your return transfer will be waiting.

From there, you’ll travel back by road to Puerto Natales, arriving in the afternoon.

With this final stretch, your winter journey through the W Trek comes to an end — having explored some of Patagonia’s most spectacular and remote landscapes.

Grey Glacier Suspension Bridges

If weather conditions and the group’s pace allow, your guide may offer an optional hike to the famous Grey Glacier suspension bridges (either on Day 5 in the afternoon or Day 6 in the morning). The final decision will always be based on safety and your guide’s professional assessment.

This additional round-trip hike begins at Grey Lodge and leads to one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the glacier.

The trail winds through mountain forest and elevated terrain with panoramic views of Lake Grey, floating icebergs, and the massive glacier front. From the suspension bridges, the perspective is completely different — you can clearly see the depth of the crevasses, the intense blue tones of the ice, and the true scale of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

It’s a physically demanding extension, but highly recommended for travelers who want an even more complete experience in the Grey sector.