Torres del Paine's 250 km of spectacular trails draw hikers from around the world. Most of them hike either the W Trail or the longer more demanding Torres del Paine Circuit.

This brief comparison should help you decide which one to do.

Torres del Paine Circuit Trail
Trail Distance: 150 km (93 miles)
Hiking Hours: About 63
Days: 6 to 11

Circuit Hike Highlights

• Vast meadows of wildflowers
  
• Unforgettable views from the John Gardner Pass over the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
• Close-up views of Grey Glacier
• The Towers - the three granite spikes after which Torres del Paine (Towers of the Paine) is named.
• The French Valley - granite cirque encrusted with hanging glaciers
  
• Mirror-top turquoise lakes - Lago Pehoe, Lago Skottsberg and Lago Nordenskiold.

Circuit Refugio and Campgrounds
If hiking anti-clockwise from Refugio Torres Central or Norte, you will reach camps and refugios as follows:

Camp Séron
9 km, 4 hrs from Torres Central

Camp Coiron
9 km, 3 hrs from Camp Séron

Refuguio and Camp Dickson
10 km, 3 hrs from Camp Coiron

Camp Los Perros
9 km, 4 hrs from Camp Dickson

Camp El Paso
12 km, 6 hrs from Camp Los Perros

Camp Los Guardas
6 km, 3 hrs from Camp El Paso

Refugio Grey
4km, 2 hrs from Los Guardas

Paine Grande Mountain Lodge
11 km, 3.5 hrs from Refugio Grey

From Refugio Paine Grande Mountain Lodge, the Circuit follows the same trail as the W, with the next camp being Camp Italiano (see below).

Torres del Paine W Trail
Trail Distance: 75 km (46.5 miles)
Hiking Hours: 28 hours: 3 to 6 days

W Hike Highlights

• The Towers
• The French Valley
• Lakes

W Refugios and Camps
Refugios and Camp if hiking West to East from Paine Grande Mountain Lodge are as follows:

Camp Italiano
7.6 km, 2.5 hrs from Paine Grande Mountain Lodge
5.5 km, 3 hours from French Valley Mirador

Camp Britannico
1 km, 15 minutes from French Valley Mirador
4.5 km, 2.5 hrs from Camp Italiano

Refugio Los Cuernos
11 km, 2.5 hrs from French Valley Mirador
5.5 km, 1 hr from Campo Italiano

Refugios Torres Central and Norte
11 km, 4 hrs, from Refugio Los Cuernos

Refugio El Chileno
5.5 km, 1.5 hrs from Refugios Torres Central and Norte

Camp Torres
2.5 km, 2 hrs from Refugio El Chileno

Hikers then head back to the Torres Refugios where they can catch a shuttle to the entrance to Torres del Paine.

Hotels in Torres del Paine range from the swanky Hotel Salto Chico to the low-key and friendly Hosteria Pehoe.

Torres del Paine W FAQ

Trekking

Torres del Paine W
A guide to trekking the W

Torres del Paine Circuit
A guide to trekking the Circuit

Torres del Paine Refugios and Camping
Accommodation for Trekkers 

Places

Pehoe Lake
A guide to Torres del Paine's most beautiful lake

Grey Glacier and Lake
What to do, where to stay and other info

Tours

Torres del Paine National Park Tours
Trekking, kayaking, horse riding and other activities.