Finding the right trek

We partner with our trekking guides and operators in Torres del Paine to set up and run small group hikes with a maximum of eight people. Whether you are a solo traveller looking to join a group, a couple looking for a private trek, or friends looking for a group trip, ask us how to find the perfect hiking experience. 

  • The iconic W Trek visits each of the park's most famous highlights. At four days long, it's achievable for anyone in good shape with some hiking experience, and you can stay at the refugios along the way.
  • The Full, or O Circuit is ideal for more experienced hikers. On the Circuit you can visit all the main highlights of the park, but also circle around the quieter northern edge of the park, where you'll have the stunning views almost to yourself.
  • Lose the crowds completely by exploring deep into the park's quieter corners. Torres del Paine offers a number of off-the-beaten-track trails for adventurous souls with some hiking experience, which offer a completely different experience of the park.

Where can I trek in Torres del Paine?

Where can I trek in Torres del Paine?

Ways to hike in Torres del Paine

The W Trek

The W trek is Torres del Paine's iconic and most popular trek. Tread a W-shaped pattern on the map, dipping into 3 different valleys on your way:

  • The Ascensio Valley offers you the best views of the mile high granite towers that give the National Park its name. 
  • The French Valley leads you past hanging glaciers and an amphitheatre of pinnacles and peaks.
  • The Grey Valley, dominated by views of Lago Grey and the Grey Glacier. 

Cosy mountain huts nestled into the mountains allow you to complete the trek in four or five days with just a small rucksack. The W trek is great for less experienced trekkers on their first multi-day trek, those who want to see the highlights of the park in a limited amount of time and those on a budget.

The O Circuit trek

For more experienced trekkers, walking a full circuit of the Paine range promises that you see the classic highlights of the park including the towers and hanging glaciers, but also visit the northern part of the park where far fewer visitors venture. Typically it's tackled anti-clockwise, allowing you to take in the awe-inspiring view of the Grey Glacier and Southern Patagonian ice field reaching out to the horizon.

The 65-80 mile (105-130 km) circuit trek can be completed in between 7-9 days. You will need to camp at least 2 nights, but the sheer beauty of the views from the campsites are enough to win over even the most passionate of indoor sleepers.

 Off the beaten track trekking

One hiker on a rocky path overlooking lakes and mountains in Torres del Paine National Park. Torres del Paine hike, Chile

Hiking off the beaten track, Torres del Paine

For adventurous souls who want to avoid the crowds and discover some of the hidden treasures of the park, our remote hikes ensure you'll be exploring where few feet fall. While there are many secluded campsites and estancias to base yourself at, getting off-the-beaten-track doesn't mean having to rough it. Many of the luxury lodges include trips into these more remote corners.

Day hikes from a comfortable base

If you want to see all the highlights of the park but not compromise on accommodation, Torres del Paine's luxury lodges and eco-friendly camps offer some breathtaking spaces to return to after a long day's hiking.

Each day you will travel to the trailhead by vehicle from where you and your guide can hike. Not only will you be guaranteed a hot shower and an excellent meal at the end of each day, but you can also pick the hikes and excursions the night before, using the experience of your guides to make the most out of every day.

Two hikers in Torres del Paine National Park with a turquiose lake and mountains in the background. Torres del Paine hike, Chile
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Harriet says

It was knock-you-down wind, two steps then brace. Below us you could see squalls ripping across Nordenskjold lake. Ahead of me I heard an American guy shout, "This is Patagonia man!". He was right.

Harriet Pike Head of Swoop Patagonia

Torres del Paine Trekking Routes

The O Circuit Trek

The O Circuit Trek

This 7-9 day route adds a northern section on to the park's famous W Trek. It's undoubtedly a tougher trail, marked by the extra distance and absence of refugios on the northern …

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What Our Customers Think of Hiking in Torres del Paine

Hiking in Torres del Paine trips scored 4.3/5 from 197 reviews

I don’t think I can pick just one! We had an awesome guide. The scenery was beautiful and everyone in my group had an amazing time. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Jenna Leblanc - Canada

Lived up to expectations. Great views. Challenging hiking, but worth it throughout. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Josh Wallis - USA

You must be a strong hiker to trek the W Circuit and an even stronger one to do the O Circuit. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Rozini Mohd Amin - Malaysia

The park is beautiful. We went in mid-October and it was not too crowded. The weather was as expected, but we did have some hours of hiking in cold and snow. Read the full review

Travelled: October 2022

Anne France - USA

Hiking in Patagonia... looking up at the base towers with my sons. I knew we had another amazing memory! Great guide... Amazing views! Read the full review

Travelled: July 2022

Linda Rouyer - USA

I saw many trekkers doing the same route unguided but having a guide and an organized trip took a lot of the pressure and stress away, leaving behind a truly enjoyable experience. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Eva McCarthy - USA

All I can say is O.M.G! If you ever thought hiking was redundant, do this trek! Every day brought something completely different from hiking up to peaks, through the forest, following the valley, along watersides, you name it - it was on this circuit. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Amy Hoffmann - USA

I always thought hiking could be a bit redundant. This trek changed my mind completely. Every day brought something special and really kept my mind at peace and my heart full. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Amy Hoffmann - USA

While the W Trek can be accomplished unguided, we felt like we got great value with our guide. He was very familiar with the trail, the geology, and the flora and fauna. For example, on our windy and rainy day (can't have the true Patagonia experience without one of those) he had us stop for a break before cresting a hill because he said "we would be very exposed there and it is better to break now." Indeed, winds were crazy strong over the hill. He also had friends in every refugio, so knew the inside track on the fun stuff. For example: at Lago Grey, we had whisky on the rocks using glacier ice. How cool is that?! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Scott Nutter - USA

After walking to the campamento Británico in the snowstorm with no visibility at all, we decided to wait a while and have our lunch. At that moment the view opened up and we could see the whole cirque, Paine grande and los Cuernos. Stunning! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Erwin Vroenhoven - Netherlands

It surpassed most of my expectations! It’s just one of those magical places on the planet. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Matthew Orozco - USA

Hiking into the French Valley all alone surrounded by mountain peaks. But every day was the most memorable moment because every day was fantastic. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2021

Jeff Lambert - USA

There were so many highlights but I found the hike on Day 3, through the French Valley to be out of this world. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2021

Sean Johnston - USA

What was really impressive was what our guides could carry including the tents and so many treats for us like pesto sauce, real coffee and chocolate. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2021

Sean Johnston - USA

The whole park was a memorable moment! So many to choose from, but I think the tent set up on the platforms in the trees at Refugio Chileno was my favorite memory. Sleeping out there was pretty awesome! Read the full review

Travelled: March 2020

Rebecca Alegria - United States Of America

Amazing! It's a land of immense beauty, I've seen nothing like this. We saw Fitz Roy in the best weather possible and it takes your breath away. Grueling hike to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine brings a magical moment of first seeing them in the clearing in the clouds and staying in full view. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2019

Elen Ace - Canada

Every 5 minutes we had a completely different view. There could be gale force winds hitting a mountain top from one side, but clear blue skies on the other. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2019

Rory Dormer - United Kingdom

The impressive glaciers, stunning mountains, wildlife and birds, also as it was spring colourful flowers. People were very friendly and helpful. It was all magical especially in the quiet, first thing in the morning. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2018

Alex Campbell - United Kingdom

Some of the biggest highlights were the Towers, Mirador Britannico in the French Valley, Perito Moreno glacier, and the hike to Laguno de los Tres in Los Glaciares. Oh, and how could I forget the Zodiac boat ride and "glamping" at the Serrano campsite. We had some fantastic guides, and the landscapes were grander than I thought. More glaciers than I could have imagined! Read the full review

Travelled: November 2018

CJ Newendorp - United States Of America

Magical moment – again at Dickson campsite, by the lake, there was this small bank on the lake with perfectly still water and I caught a photo with the mountain and glacier in the back with PERFECT reflection. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2018

Christian Barrera - United States Of America

Bring layers, the weather changes very quickly by KM and hour. You can leave extra gear or things you no longer want with the trekking company, they can find various ways to reuse gear you might consider "worn-out". Read the full review

Travelled: September 2018

Tracie Wingo - United States Of America

Our trip was amazing! The Torres Del Paine National Park is absolutely stunning. The rockfaces, glaciers, blue green lakes, waterfalls and whitecapped mountains everywhere you look is just picture perfect, even with the rain and hail in early March. Our guide really made it a great experience for all of us! Read the full review

Travelled: March 2018

Terri Ellis - Canada

Torres del Paine is incredible. It is one of the most spectacular places on the planet, without a doubt. Breathtaking mountain vistas, serene glacial lakeside hikes, it is a dreamlike setting. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2017

Craig Hobin - Brazil

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I'm not sure I could have booked all this without you guys; it was a wonderful trip – challenging, adventurous and fun! Each of my three treks was quite different, but all with interesting and well informed guides and outstanding landscapes.

Travelled: February 2016

Louise -

What a wonderful, mind-blowing, refreshing experience. There are simply not enough positive adjectives to describe our time in Torres del Paine. Thank you for helping me plan one of the best experiences I've had!

Travelled: January 2016

Lydia -

Review:

Multi-Activity in Torres del Paine

Do you want to finish off your trek by kayaking the length of the Serrano river, biking into the Baguales range in search of fossils or horse riding from Estancia to Estancia across the Patagonian Steppe. Why not link a multi-day kayaking, horse riding or biking trip with a trekking trip?

Hiking in Torres del Paine

View from behind of a kayaker in a bobble hat looking at a glacier in Torres del Paine National Park. Torres del Paine hike, Chile

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