Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 4hr one way)
A moderate hike up Río Ascencio to a treeless tarn beneath the eastern
face of the Torres del Paine for the closest view of the towers. The last hour is a knee-
popping scramble up boulders (covered with knee- and waist-high snow in winter).
There are camping and
refugios
at Las Torres and Chileno, with basic camping at Cam-
pamento Torres. In summer stay at Campamento Torres and head up at sunrise to beat the
crowds.
Refugio Las Torres to Los Cuernos
HIKING
( 7hr one way)
Hikers should keep to the lower trail as many get lost on the upper trail
(unmarked on maps). There's camping and a
refugio
. Summer winds can be fierce.
Another option is to hike one hour further to Camping Francés, run by Fantastico Sur.
Los Cuernos/Lago Pehoé to Valle Francés
HIKING
( 5hr one way)
In clear weather, the most beautiful stretch between 3050m Cerro Paine
Grande to the west and the lower, still spectacular, Torres del Paine and Los Cuernos to
the east, with glaciers hugging the trail. Camp at Campamento Italiano and Campamento
Británico, in the heart of the valley, or at the valley entrance at Camping Francés.
Mountain Lodge Paine Grande
to Refugio Grey
HIKING
( 4½hr)
A relatively easy trail with a few challenging downhill scampers. Four hours
one way from Lago Pehoé. The glacier lookout is another half-hour's hike away. With
camping and
refugios
at both ends.
Mountain Lodge Paine Grande to Administración
HIKING
( 5hr)
Up and around the side of Lago Pehoé, then through grassland along Río Grey.
Not really part of the 'W,' but after the hike, cut out to the Administración to avoid back-
tracking to Laguna Amarga. Mountain Lodge Paine Grande can radio in and make sure
that you can get a bus from Administración back to Puerto Natales. You can also enter
the 'W' this way to hike it east to west.
Hiking the Paine Circuit
This loop takes in the 'W' hiking trail, plus the backside between Refugio Grey and
Refugio Las Torres. The landscape is desolate yet beautiful. Paso John Garner (the ex-
treme part of the trek) sometimes has knee-deep mud and snow. There's a basic
refugio
at Los Perros or there's rustic camping.
