Torres del Paine W Trek

EcoCamp operates a unique version of the world-famous W trek, with trekkers staying at EcoCamp Patagonia the majority of nights. Mountain huts provide comfortable beds and plentiful meals the other nights. Specialist guides takes groups on an unforgettable experience along this classic trekking route lasting 7 days and covering 76km/46mi of Torres del Paine terrain or the short version lasting 5 days and covering 60km/37mi of terrain.

The first day is spent travelling from Punta Arenas to EcoCamp Patagonia, via Puerto Natales, arriving in time to enjoy dinner and wine with the other new group members in EcoCamp’s Community Domes. You then experience your first night sleeping in an EcoCamp dome, listening to the wind rage outside as you fall asleep looking up at the starry night sky through ceiling windows. The following days are spent hiking along Torres del Paine in a W shape from west to east, following trails lined with exceptional mountain views, lakes, glaciers and wildlife.

Los Cuernos Trail

Trekkers begin the day at EcoCamp heading a couple of kms south to join the Los Cuernos trail heading east. The path has a wonderful variety of flora and fauna, with many guanacos playfully bounding around in groups. The view of lake Nordenskjold’s milky blue waters on the left is surpassed only by the view of the towering massif to the right, with the Horns (Los Cuernos) displaying their multi-coloured spires. The trail ends at Refugio Los Cuernos on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold.  

Valle Frances Trail
Starting off from Refugio Los Cuernos in the morning, trekkers enter French Valley and follow a steep trail heading into the heart of the Paine massif. At the South-Eastern face of the Massif lies the hanging bridge over the French river, with an amazing view of the massif. In the upper section of the valley all of the different peaks can be admired:

• Cerro Fortaleza (Fort Hill) 3,000m
• Cerro Catedral (Cathedral Hill) 2,220m
• La Espada (The Sword) 2,050m
• La Hoja (Blade) 1,950m
• La Mascara (The mask) 1,850m
• Aleta del tiburon (Shark’s fin) 1,850m

A walk further north to Mirador Britanico (British Viewpoint) provides an excellent view from the very heart of the Paine massif. The return route is the same, descending through the valley to the shores of Lake Pehoe where the night is spent in Refugio Paine Grande.

Mirador Grey Trail
Leaving Paine Grande Refugio in the morning, groups head along the shores of Lake Pehoe and along the western shore of Grey Lake up to the glacier at the lake’s northern end. The views of the piercing blue glacier are spectacular and on the boat ride back to Grey Lake’s southern end there’s time to appreciate the numerous ice burgs floating on the lake. From the lake’s dock groups are driven back to EcoCamp.

Las Torres Trail
The trail to Las Torres viewpoint is probably the most famous trek in Torres del Paine. Starting from EcoCamp in the morning, the trail goes past neighbouring hotel Las Torres and joins the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. The big challenge comes at the end, climbing the steep moraine of boulders leading towards one of the world's most famous views overlooking the Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2,900 m/ 9,400 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.