How to experience the W Trek in comfort
The W Trek is one of the world’s most well-known hiking trails, leading adventurers through Torres del Paine National Park - climbing up mountains, through valleys, and alongside icy blue glaciers and lakes. While the trail is well-marked and maintained, not everyone is intrigued by long hiking days. If you’re more interested in balancing adventure with the finer things in life, here’s how you can experience the W Trek in comfort.
Where to stay
Hotel Las Torres is the best accommodation for those keen on hiking the W Trek without having to camp because of its privileged location within the Torres del Paine National Park, close to key sites and at the trailhead for the Las Torres Viewpoint hike.
The hotel began as a family-owned estancia, a South American estate for raising cattle or sheep. The wide, open steppes of Patagonia made the area an ideal location for agriculture and the Kusanovic family at one point had more than 600 cows grazing the land.
As word began to spread about the jaw-dropping beauty of the landscape, the Kusanovic family opened up their estancia to travelers, offering them room and board. By 2013, the family decided to embrace sustainable tourism, so they removed all the livestock and upgraded the estate into a luxury hotel that captures the authentic culture and heritage of Patagonia.
Nowadays, the hotel has 74 rooms which are simple but comfortable with outstanding views of the mountains. In honor of its beginnings as an estancia, you’ll still see horses grazing outside your window and you can explore the kitchen gardens, which grow organic fruits and vegetables served at the on-site restaurant.
The hotel offers transport from Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales. From Punta Arenas, the journey is a bit of a long one - more than 4 hours - but there’s a lovely stop at the hotel’s sister ranch, where you can enjoy a rhubarb pisco sour, traditional lamb meal, and watch a sheep shearing demonstration.
The W Trek in Comfort
Experience the best of the W Trek while returning home each evening to the comfort of your cozy Las Torres accommodations. From Las Torres you can experience the following W trek highlights:
Mirador Las Torres
On this challenging 7-9hr hike, enjoy gorgeous valley landscapes, river-crossed forests and rock boulder climbs until you reach the iconic Las Torres viewpoint where a tranquil turquoise lake sits at the foot of three jagged granite peaks.
French Valley
After a short transfer and catamaran ride, you will disembark in French Valley for a more moderate hike compared to Las Torres for 6-7hr through forests and streams walking along Lake Pehoe until you reach a gorgeous view of Frances Glacier at the base of Mount Paine Grande.
Glacier Gray
Take a catnap on a 2hr morning transfer to the Grey Sector where you’ll walk across the beach to board your cruise for a 2hr navigation to enjoy spectacular views of breathtaking floating icebergs and the most impressive glacier in Torres del Paine National Park, Glacier Grey.
Food and drinks
Traditional dishes and signature cocktails can be found on-site at the Coiron Restaurant and Pionero Bar (included in all-inclusive packages), which are a perfect way to relax following a full day of trekking. Each area is beautifully designed with sweeping views of the mountains and kitchen garden.
If you didn’t get the chance to sample the traditional lamb dish during the transport stop from Punta Arenas, then you have another opportunity here, where it is served every day at Coiron Restaurant from 7:30pm to 11:30pm and is a highlight of every guest’s experience. If you’re vegetarian, don’t worry! There are lots of meal options for you too.
During the day, there are also packed lunches available for when you head out on your excursions. Each sandwich is huge, about the size of your forearm, so you won’t go hungry while hiking.
Throughout the evenings, the bar is lively and a great place to meet other guests and make new friends. The rhubarb pisco sours are a favorite cocktail and the Chilean wine list is extensive.
Extended Stay Excursions
If you decide to extend your stay or wish to change out one of the W Trek highlight excursions mentioned above, Las Torres lodge provides a variety of alternative excursions to choose from.
The hotel offers excursions to all the highlights along the W Trek, including Mirador Las Torres, Los Cuernos, French Valley and Grey Glacier, and even a few other destinations off-the-beaten track. They include expert guides and transportation for the destinations that are further away from the hotel.
These excursions, which are a part of the all-inclusive packages, can be customized to all schedules and fitness levels. You have your choice of doing full or half day hikes, as well as horseback riding (again for all levels) and even rock climbing for the truly intrepid.
Each excursion includes a guide with expert knowledge of the flora, fauna, and natural history of the park. If you’re lucky, they’ll also be able to point out pumas, condors, and other rare wildlife animals to you! You’ll also get a boxed lunch and transport to and from the hotel.
Overall, it’s a truly unique experience that will leave you feeling connected to the culture, people, and landscapes.
Want to take on the W Circuit with a cozy hotel stay every night? Our W Trek in Comfort expedition is just for you! We also offer the option to camp the W if preferred. If you want to go beyond Torres del Paine, explore all our Patagonia tours here.
About the author: Julia Guerra Slater has traveled extensively throughout the world and claims the W Trek to be one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world.