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Torres del Paine W Trek & Circuit Trek
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Torres del Paine W Trek and Circuit Trek Torres del Paine
The first thing we wish to point out is that we can make reservations in ALL the refugios in Torres del Paine, as well as hotels in Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, El Calafate and elsewhere. Also the bus between El Calafate and TDP, other buses and excursions.
Torres del Paine W Trek Packages Click Here
Torres del Paine W Trek Packages Click Here
Note: Refugio Pehoe is NOW called Refugio Paine Grande.
Fitness
In order to trek the Circuit and “W” people need to be reasonably fit, not necessarily as an athlete, but perfectly able to walk for up to 10hrs a day (in the longest sectors) over rugged terrain, up hill, over streams and rocks, through woods and sometimes in driving rain and strong winds. If you are not able to endure this environment you should seriously consider not trekking in TDP. The routes themselves are sign-posted clearly with orange-painted poles and well-trodden paths and, in the summer season (Dec – Jan – Feb) there will be numerous other hikers about. Nevertheless, this is wilderness country, very remote and subject to sudden changes in weather that can make conditions tough. Do NOT go off the trail because even if you have the slightest incident like a twisted ankle you may find that no one will find you.
It is essential that all walkers have the right clothing and food, and know what to do it they are caught out in extreme, unpredicted bad weather.
Torres del Paine Circuit Route
This is the route that goes in a circle around the back of the Central Massif, but also takes in the “W” route too. You can start this route at either the Refugio Las Torres or Refugio Chileno end, or from Refugio Paine Grande or from Refugio Grey and go clockwise or anticlockwise.
Torres del Paine W Route
The W route is called so because it forms a pattern in the shape of a “W”. It can be started either at the Refugio Las Torres or Refugio Chileno end, or the Refugio Grey end, or even at Refugio Paine Grande, which is almost central in the route.
Torres del Paine RefugiosQuality and Services
The quality of refugio’s varies and not all the camp sites are serviced. Herewith is a brief summary of what is on offer from the refugio’s and serviced camp sites on the “Circuit” and “W” routes:
Refugio & Camping Las Torres NORTE
A decent hostel with camp site. Dorm rooms, bunk beds. Shared, but segregated shower rooms. Food service. Grocery store.
Refugio & Camping Las Torres CENTRAL (only 50mts from Norte).
A modern hostel with camp site. Dorm rooms, bunk beds. Shared, but segregated shower rooms. Dining area. Grocery store. Made-up beds available.
Refugio & Camping Chileno
A basic hostel with camp site. Dorm rooms, bunk beds. Shared, but segregated shower rooms. Dining room. Grocery store.
Refugio & Camping Cuernos
A basic hostel with camp site. Dorm rooms, bunk beds. Shared, but segregated shower rooms. Dining room. Grocery store.
Cabanas Cuernos (close to the refugio)
The cabanas are built for two people, hot tubs for up to 8 people to share. Use of dining room in the refugio. Grocery store at refugio. The cabanas include a made-up bed.
Refugio & Camping & Domos Paine Grande
A modern hostel with camp site. Dorm rooms, bunk beds. Shared, but segregated shower rooms. Dining area. Grocery store. Made-up beds available.
Refugio & Camping Grey
A basic hostel with camp site. Dorm rooms, bunk beds. Shared, but segregated shower rooms. Dining room. Grocery store.
Camping Los Perros (can rent tent, but best to bring own tent)
A serviced camp site. Food service. Grocery store.
Refugio Dickson
A basic hostel with camp site. Dorm rooms, bunk beds. Shared, but segregated shower rooms. Dining room. Grocery store.
Camping Serron (can rent tent, but best to bring your own)
A camp site only.
Torres del Paine Circuit and “W” Trekking Routes
Quick Reference Distances & Approx Hiking Times
To go from Refugio / Cabanas Los Cuernos to Refugio Paine Grande (or in reverse) via the French Valley you need to allow for up to 10hrs including making to the end of the French Valley. Of course you can cut this short and then the time will be less. Cutting out the French Valley totally, makes the trek between Cuernos and Paine Grande only 4.5hrs.
| Experiencechile.Org | ||||
| Approx Distances and Walking Times for the W & Circuit Treks in Torres del Paine | ||||
| *We accept no responsibility for the absolute accuracy of this information. | ||||
| DEPART | ARRIVE | Approx | Average | |
| From | Distance | Time | ||
| W OR FULL CIRCUIT | ||||
| Hosteria Las Torres W | to | Ref Chileno W | 5.5km | 2hrs |
| Ref Las Torres W | to | Ref Chileno W | 5.5km | 2hrs |
| Ref Chileno W | to | Base Las Torres W | 3.2km | 1hr / 30min |
| Base Las Torres W | to | Mirador Torres W | 0.8km | 45min |
| Ref Chileno W | to | Mirador Torres W | 4km | 2hrs / 15min |
| *Remember the return time and allow an hour to rest and see the view | ||||
| Ref Las Torres W | to | Mirador Torres W | 9.5km | 4hrs / 15min |
| *Remember the return time and allow an hour to rest and see the view | ||||
| Hosteria Las Torres W | to | Mirador Torres W | 9.5km | 4hrs / 15min |
| *Remember the return time and allow an hour to rest and see the view | ||||
| DEPART | ARRIVE | Approx | Average | |
| BACK SECTOR PART OF THE CIRCUIT | ||||
| Hosteria Las Torres W | to | Camping Serron (Circuit) | 8.9km | 4hrs |
| Ref Las Torres W | to | Camping Serron (Circuit) | 8.9km | 4hrs |
| Camping Serron (Circuit) | to | Ref Dickson (Circuit) | 18.5km | 6hrs |
| Ref Dickson (Circuit) | to | Camping Perros (Circuit) | 8.7km | 4.5hrs |
| Camping Perros (Circuit) | to | Camping Paso (Circuit) | 12km | 5.5hrs |
| *No food serice at Perros | No services at all here | |||
| *Difficult sector up hill | ||||
| Camping Paso (Circuit) | to | Camping Los Guardas (Circuit) | 6km | 2.5hrs |
| No services at all here | No services at all here | |||
| Camping Los Guardas (Circuit) | to | Ref Grey W | 4km | 1.5hrs |
| No services at all here | ||||
| * Most people go straight from Perros to Grey. | ||||
| DEPART | ARRIVE | Approx | Average | |
| W OR FULL CIRCUIT | ||||
| Ref Grey W | to | Ref Paine Grande W | 11km | 3.5hrs |
| Ref Paine Grande W | to | Camping Italiano (French Valley) W | 7.6km | 2.5hrs |
| No services at all here | ||||
| Camping Italiano (French Valley) W | to | Camping Britanico (French Valley) W | 5.5km | 2.5hrs |
| No services at all here | No services at all here | |||
| Camping Italiano (French Valley) W | to | Ref Los Cuernos W | 5.5km | 2.5hrs |
| No services at all here | ||||
| * Most people go straight from P Grande via the French Valley to Cuernos. | ||||
| Ref Los Cuernos W | to | Ref Las Torres W | 11km | 4.5hrs |
| Ref Los Cuernos W | to | Hosteria Las Torres W | 10km | 4.5hrs |
To go from Refugio / Cabanas Los Cuernos to Refugio Paine Grande (or in reverse) via the French Valley you need to allow for up to 10hrs including making to the end of the French Valley. Of course you can cut this short and then the time will be less. Cutting out the French Valley totally, makes the trek between Cuernos and Paine Grande only 4.5hrs.
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Chile: phone + 56 (0) 2 570 9436 - UK: phone + 44 (0) 20 8133 6057 - fax: + 44 (0) 1494 400 114 - USA: phone + 1 (0) 203 599 1680 - Email: request@experiencechile.org
Chile: phone + 56 (0) 2 570 9436 - UK: phone + 44 (0) 20 8133 6057 - fax: + 44 (0) 1494 400 114 - USA: phone + 1 (0) 203 599 1680 - Email: request@experiencechile.org
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