Do you love the rush of adrenaline down your spine, then hiking in the beautiful Chilean Patagonia will get your pulse popping. Walking the W Torres del Paine is the hiker’s ultimate gold standard. Located near the bottom of the southernmost region of Chilean Patagonia, the “w” shaped mountains make for the artistic background as you go hiking in the wild. The park area of 700 sq. miles encompasses blue lakes, glaciers, lakes, and rivers.
You will undoubtedly get frustrated on your journey to this park because of seclusion from civilization. However, the conquest will make up for it. The trip to Torres del Paine is quite a long one but has improved in the past half-decade. You can take the 3-hour flight from Santiago de Chile to Punta Arenas, then take a 5-hour drive to reach the Torres del Paine. Another alternative would be flying to Puerto Natales, from which you will need a 2-hour drive to get to the park. However, the latter is only available in peak season where the park receives many tourists, around November to March.
The Torres del Paine is even more remarkable in person than advertised. Arriving at the park in this remote location satisfied my quench for getaways. The stunning landscapes, unique fauna, and warm natives make for great reception after a long journey. Back in December 2019, I hiked the Torres del Paine with a couple of friends, going to the full O circuit. That is when my love for hiking was notarized. Although I have to admit that two of my friends had even a better experience than I did, it is the perfect couple’s getaway.
- Tips to help you hack the hike of Torres del Paine
Hiking in remote destinations can also turn horrific just as quickly. It happens a lot if you don’t make proper preparations. Torres del Paine is a wanderlust for most hiking clubs and certainly one of the best destinations in Patagonia. However, you will need to make proper provisions if this expedition is to prove successful.
- Early Booking
If Torres del Paine is the trail you wish to hike in the next 7 to 8 months, then the best time to book should be now. Its growing popularity has made it a “hard to get in” park. The park now requires reservations for spending a night. You could show up to the gate and lay your camping gear whichever spot appealed most to you in the past. Early reservations are paramount, especially for lodging around the W trek, since these tend to fill up first in the peak season (December to February). If you desire better housing than a tent, Refugio (an in-park hostel with hot showers and bunk rooms), then the bare minimum wait is six months.
- Lighter backpack
If this happens to be your first hike, I would want you to be as comfortable as ever. The best way is to stay at the refugios. The park hostel is a beautiful way to enjoy all the perks of the land without necessarily carrying your households in the backpack. They are a good option if you want to keep good hygiene and still have your way in the wild. You will arrive with your sleeping bag, and you will be taken to a tent already set up for you. The refugios also provide meals if you don’t want to carry food.
- Early shopping
If the need ever arises to quench a craving or sweet tooth, you will have to pay dearly. I remember having to buy a Snickers at Refugio Cuernos at $4. However, early shopping will save you a few bucks while at the park.
- What is the best period of the year to hike the Torres del Paine
The best season to visit the Torres del Paine is tough to define. The region’s weather can change instantly, and each season has its perks and drawbacks. However, the peak season goes from December to February. That is when you are bound to find many tourists on the trail. It is a great time to socialize with longer days (up to 17 hours of daylight in the summer). November and March are also busy and considered high season. Months of September, October, April, and May are low seasons. Late May to August is off-season, grave winter in the park.
- The difficulty level of the Torres del Paine
The W trek isn’t a technical track, and you don’t have to be a significant leagues hiker to navigate it. However, some hiking experiences will have to do. Compared to other hiking tracks in Southern America like the Andes Mountains, Patagonia is of low altitude. The peak point of the W Trek is the Tower’s base viewpoint at 2788ft. However, with some days being longer, there are lots of walking up, especially Tower’s base and the French Valley. The two hikes require about 8 hours walk (round trip); you should be used to day-long hikes. Endurance and stamina are what will get you through the full O Circuit.
- How long it takes to hike W Trek
You should be able to complete the W Trek in 5 days and four nights with a day’s rest. That is because you will cover a total distance of 47 miles. That is the average time most people get the trek done. However, four days and three nights are a much feasible option if you are pressed for time.
- A shorter itinerary to give you the lay of the track
If you choose to stay at the Refugios, your itinerary should look like this
- Day 1-Arrive early morning and hike to the base of Torres (stay overnight near Refugio Centro or Refugio Chileno)
- Day 2-Hike along Lake Nordenskjöld (stay overnight near Refugio Cuernos)
- Day 3-Hike into the French Valley (stay overnight near Refugio Paine Grande)
- Day 4-Hike to Glacier Grey (catch evening catamaran out of the park)
You can stay an extra day if you want to hike past Glacier Grey on the suspension bridge. The Grey Glacier was the highlight of my trip. A full-day hike will take you to a panoramic view of the glacier walls. You can, however, navigate it using a boat to give you better sighting than trekking.
