- 7 mins
Calling all adventurers! If you’re looking for an epic challenge, the W Circuit in the Torres del Paine National Park is your ultimate destination.
This isn't just a simple hike; it's an expedition through glacial valleys, ancient forests and mountains with geological formations thousands of years old that you won't want to miss. Along this "W," you'll come face-to-face with the untamed force of nature.
Are you ready to leave your mark at the end of the world and experience the adventure of a lifetime?
Here are our top five places on the W Circuit. Every step on this trail is a victory, an encounter with the majesty of the earth. From the awe-inspiring Grey Glacier to the imposing view of the Base Torres Viewpoint, we guarantee that every landscape will take your breath away and leave an unforgettable memory.
We're more than just a place to stay; we're your allies on this grand adventure. We provide safety, the best location and support, so you can focus on the only thing that matters: enjoying the experience! Our mission is to equip you to become a true Patagonian hiker.
Are you ready to write the most exciting chapter of your life? Continue reading.
Base Torres: The Symbol of Patagonia
Reaching the Base Torres Viewpoint is, for many, the most anticipated moment of the W Circuit. The imposing granite columns rise elegantly towards the Patagonian sky, reflected in the tranquil glacial lagoon that accompanies them. A perfect end to a challenging hike.
The final ascent represents a huge test. It includes the famous section of rocks and steep slopes. But upon arrival, an unforgettable postcard unfolds before your eyes: the three granite towers that give the park its name. This place not only offers an imposing visual spectacle, but also a deep emotional reward for those who manage to reach it. Here, hikers gather to take the photo they will surely share with their friends and family.
The trail to the viewpoint winds through forests, valleys and rivers, offering panoramic views throughout the entire journey and allowing you to enjoy every step of the hike. Pay close attention to the skies, because you might see condors soaring overhead and a small bird or two searching for food among the trees.
The hike is demanding, but every step is rewarded with landscapes that only a few places in the world can offer.
Many travelers choose to start the W Circuit with this hike, as it marks an epic beginning to the journey, while others prefer to save it for their last day, making it the crowning achievement of their adventure. With Las Torres Patagonia, it's possible to start early in the morning, avoiding crowds and enjoying a less walked trail. It is a landscape that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.
Francés Valley: The Green Heart of the W Circuit
Exploring the Francés Valley means delving into the heart of the W Circuit, as it is located right in the middle of your adventure. Its amphitheater-like geography allows for a 360° view of the entire valley, letting you lose yourself in everything that surrounds you: the forests, mountains, hanging glaciers, clouds dancing in the sky, all accompanied by the sounds of ice cracking from above.
To reach this place, your excursion begins from Italiano Camping, following the Francés River, where you'll gradually gain altitude and get a better panoramic view along the trail.
The Francés Valley is, without doubt, one of the most impressive natural spectacles you'll see on the W Circuit. Its connection with nature is a breath of fresh air that will make you one with the landscape. Take your time when you arrive at the valley, and don't miss any of the details that nature offers.
With Las Torres Patagonia, you can easily access the valley as part of the circuit’s middle stage, ideal for those seeking a deep immersion experience in the mountains. We have mountain stays and camping areas in the sector, where you can spend an unforgettable night in this incredible place.
Grey Glacier: Patagonia's Imposing Ice Tongue
Welcome to the ice kingdom of Patagonia! Grey Glacier, located at the western end of the W Circuit, is one of the most breathtaking spectacles of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Its immensity, the deep blue of its ice and the enormous icebergs floating in Lake Grey create an impressive contrast with the open sky and surrounding mountains. From wherever you observe it, you cannot grasp the magnitude of this frozen colossus that majestically advances among the Patagonian peaks.
To reach this glacier, your journey begins in the Paine Grande Sector, skirting the lake along a scenic and undulating trail. During the journey, you can stop at the many natural viewpoints along the route, where you can contemplate the extent of the glacier between the peaks. You may witness a powerful scene as ice detachments occur, plunging into the water in a fascinating natural spectacle.
This experience can become even more unforgettable with a boat trip on Lake Grey, allowing you to observe the ice up close, where its immensity will embrace you firsthand.
Those who complete their circuit with Las Torres Patagonia can coordinate this activity to conclude their circuit on a high. Remember that the boat trip will depend on the weather conditions that day.
Los Cuernos: Guardians of Lake Nordenskjöld
Los Cuernos are one of the most emblematic formations in the park. Their imposing silhouette, reflected in the waters of Lake Nordenskjöld, has been immortalized in countless photographs and represents, for many, their first visual encounter with the majesty of Patagonia.
These mountains, famous for their unique coloration, a product of layers of granite and dark sediment, rise imposingly over the lake and offer one of the most impressive landscapes in the park. The mystique of being before these colossal formations can be enhanced if their viewing combines with the reddish orange light that only dawn and dusk can offer.
During the stretch between the Francés and Cuernos sectors, you can enjoy a less difficult but scenically beautiful route. One of the great advantages of this area is that the sectors are extremely close, both bathed by the waters of Lake Nordenskjöld and the impressive sounds of the hanging glaciers at the opposite end.
Spending the night in the Cuernos Sector is a highly recommended experience. Here, Las Torres Patagonia offers three types of accommodation, designed for the type of adventure you desire. You can stay in one of our mountain cabins, which offer a more intimate way to spend the night in this sector. With a capacity for two people, the cabins provide the perfect way to end the day.
Another option is the mountain stay, where you will share a room with other adventurers, enjoying a moment of camaraderie with people from different parts of the world.
Our last option is for those who want to remain in direct contact with nature, even at night. The fully equipped campsite is the ideal option to spend the night in an intimate experience with nature. On opening your tent in the morning, you will be greeted by the comfortable sensation that only camping in a national park can provide.
Lake Nordenskjöld: The Turquoise Mirror of the W Circuit
In addition to the sense of adventure that follows you with every step, if there's one thing that will almost always be with you during your journey, it's Lake Nordenskjöld, a large turquoise body of water that bathes the base of the Paine Massif.
This lake was named in honor of Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskjöld, one of the great early explorers of Torres del Paine, who ventured into this landscape to map its extension, understand its flora and fauna and identify the composition of its rock formations.
The lake will be a silent protagonist throughout your journey. As you advance westward, it will always be there to your left, adorning the horizon with its presence. Its color and serenity provide a backdrop to your every step on the route.
The route that borders the lake is one of the most pleasant on the circuit. Among gentle hills, Patagonian scrub and the area’s characteristic wind, hikers enjoy wide views and the possibility of spotting wildlife such as foxes, guanacos and condors. Although it has sometimes steep slopes, the terrain is comfortable and suitable for all types of hikers.
If you wish, you can stop to rest on the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld, taking a perfect break to contemplate the landscape and connect with the environment. Before reaching the Cuernos Sector, there are several rock viewpoints that will allow you to see the entire extension of the lake from above. A perfect place to eat a snack or chat with other adventurers.
There are, of course, more than five incredible places on the W Circuit, and we could make a long list describing all you can appreciate during your adventure. But we’ll leave that work to you, and invite you to be one of the great adventurers who have explored one of the most famous circuits in the world.
Don't forget, we are your allies on this adventure. We offer everything you need to discover Torres del Paine: mountain stays and fully-equipped campsites for resting; coffee shops for recharging energy, stopping to reflect and share with friends or family; and much more. Don't settle for looking at the photos; go and take your own. The story of the W Circuit has been written by thousands of adventurers. Are you ready to leave your footprint?
