W Trek (Circuito W)

The Circuito W is a point-to-point, multi-day trek of about 47 miles (76 km) across the south side of the Paine massif. This westbound version starts at Hotel Las Torres, walks the Base Torres arm out and back, continues west through Los Cuernos to Italiano, climbs the French Valley to Británico and returns to Italiano, then reaches Paine Grande. From there, the Grey arm is an out-and-back, ending back at Paine Grande. Allow about five days and 31.5 hours of walking for this full version; the catamaran across Lago Pehoé to Pudeto is separate from the trail distance. Some compressed four-day itineraries turn at the first Grey viewpoint, so confirm your Grey turnaround and booked nights. If you have only a day, Base Torres can be walked on its own, but you will miss the French Valley and Grey.

From Hotel Las Torres, the route climbs 5 km to Refugio Chileno, continues 3 km to Guardería Torres, then gains the last 1.4 km to the viewpoint. The full arm is 18.8 km return and about nine hours. The final stretch is the most demanding: it crosses glacial moraine, where the loose uneven ground can injure legs and joints. Stay on the marked path. At the viewpoint, the granite towers rise beyond a pale glacial lake; include the basin below them in a photo to give the peaks scale.

The main traverse from Hotel Las Torres to Los Cuernos is listed at 11.6 km and 4.5 hours. From Los Cuernos, it is 5 km and 2.5 hours to Italiano, then 7.5 km and 2.5 hours to Paine Grande. These are long sections between overnight stops, so keep the ranger station closing times in mind. Parts of the marked route cross Estancia Cerro Paine; follow the authorized trail rather than cutting across private land.

At Italiano, the French Valley branch climbs 5.4 km to Mirador Británico, about three hours each way. The full return detour adds 10.8 km and roughly six hours, and is rated demanding. From Británico, the Cuernos, Espada, Hoja and Máscara peaks sit to the west; Glaciar Francés cuts into Paine Grande to the east, with Fortaleza and Aleta de Tiburón to the north. The valley's Nothofagus woodland gives way to the open mountain view. For a photo, keep the forested valley in the foreground so the granite walls do not lose their scale.

The marked route from Paine Grande to Guardería Grey is 11 km and about 3.5 hours one way; retracing it makes the full Grey arm 22 km and about seven hours. The final destination is the Grey sector and its glacier views, not a through-route to the O Circuit. The glacier flows from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and sheds ice into Lago Grey. The boat crossing from Paine Grande to Pudeto is the west-end exit, so check the operator's sailing plan and leave enough time to reach the landing.

Overnight stays at the in-park refuges or campsites must be reserved for the W mountain zone; a park ticket is also required in advance. Day hikers, including people doing Base Torres only, are exempt from the overnight-reservation rule. Walk only marked trails, stay within daylight and sector closing times, and register at ranger stations. Dogs are prohibited. From May through September, snow is a risk and guides are required on some W sections, so verify the current winter protocol before choosing dates. Mountain areas have basic toilets but no treated water, and there is no cell signal in the park. Concessioned refuges and camps sell groceries, but what is available varies; do not plan around a particular item.

The Paine peaks have sedimentary rock above a granite base, shaped by glaciation over more than 12 million years. The French Valley passes through Nothofagus woodland, including lenga, within a park that records more than 274 plant species. Guanacos, foxes, ñandú and condors are among the park's wildlife, but sightings are never assured; watch from the trail and leave animals room.