Torres del Paine Hikes - The Circuit and The 'W' Trail

Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine National Park

How to Book Refugios and Campsites

You can book accommodation in Torres del Paine direct (contact Vertice Patagonia, FántasticoSur etc).

Torres del Paine in Patagonia has some of the world's most spectacular and challenging trails. Most people hike either the Torres del Paine W or the longer more demanding Torres del Paine Circuit.

This brief comparison should help you decide which one to do.

Torres del Paine Circuit Trail

Trail Distance: 150 km (93 miles)
Hiking Hours: About 63
Days: 6 to 11

Circuit Hike Highlights

Vast meadows of wildflowers
Unforgettable views from the John Gardner Pass over the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
Close-up views of Grey Glacier
The Towers - the three granite spikes after which Torres del Paine (Towers of the Paine) is named.
The French Valley - granite cirque encrusted with hanging glaciers
Mirror-top turquoise lakes - Lago Pehoe, Lago Skottsberg and Lago Nordenskiold.

Circuit Refugio and Campgrounds

If hiking anti-clockwise from Refugio Torres Central or Norte, you will reach camps and refugios as follows:

Camp Séron
9 km, 4 hrs from Torres Central

Camp Coiron
9 km, 3 hrs from Camp Séron

Refuguio and Camp Dickson
10 km, 3 hrs from Camp Coiron

Camp Los Perros
9 km, 4 hrs from Camp Dickson

Camp El Paso
12 km, 6 hrs from Camp Los Perros

Camp Los Guardas
6 km, 3 hrs from Camp El Paso

Refugio Grey
4km, 2 hrs from Los Guardas

Paine Grande Mountain Lodge
11 km, 3.5 hrs from Refugio Grey

From Refugio Paine Grande Mountain Lodge, the Paine Circuit follows the same trail as the W, with the next camp being Camp Italiano (see below).

Torres del Paine W Trail

Trail Distance: 75 km (46.5 miles)
Hiking Hours: 28 hours: 3 to 6 days

W Hike Highlights

The Towers
The French Valley
Lakes

W Refugios and Camps

Refugios and Camp if hiking West to East from Paine Grande Mountain Lodge are as follows:

Camp Italiano
7.6 km, 2.5 hrs from Paine Grande Mountain Lodge
5.5 km, 3 hours from French Valley Mirador

Camp Britannico
1 km, 15 minutes from French Valley Mirador
4.5 km, 2.5 hrs from Camp Italiano

Refugio Los Cuernos
11 km, 2.5 hrs from French Valley Mirador
5.5 km, 1 hr from Campo Italiano

Refugios Torres Central and Norte
11 km, 4 hrs, from Refugio Los Cuernos

Refugio El Chileno
5.5 km, 1.5 hrs from Refugios Torres Central and Norte

Camp Torres
2.5 km, 2 hrs from Refugio El Chileno

Hikers then head back to the Torres Refugios where they can catch a shuttle to the entrance to Torres del Paine.