Hiking Patagonia's Torres del Paine - The W Circuit - Alumni

Photo by: Libby Poston

Beyond the famed trails of Torres del Paine National Park lies a Patagonia most hikers never see. This trip will bring you to remote valleys and secret viewpoints that reveal jaw-dropping perspectives of Los Cuernos, Cerro Escudo, Almirante Nieto towers and countless other legendary peaks. The “W” Circuit blends iconic highlights with off-the-beaten-path exploration, delivering an unforgettable trekking experience.

Photo by: Libby Poston

Before Torres del Paine National Park was established in 1959, about 80 years after the first foreign explorers discovered the area, indigenous populations inhabited it for millennia. Originally named Grey Lake National Tourism Park, the park was given its present name in 1970. In 1978 UNESCO designated Torres del Paine as a World Biosphere Reserve in order to understand and manage changes and interactions between social and ecological systems. 

Photo by: Felipe Voullieme

Over the course of this trek, you’ll hike about 56 miles (90 km) and gain 13,100 feet (4,000 meters) of elevation across rugged trails and alpine environments. Daily hikes range from 6-14 miles, offering rewarding physical challenges paired with spectacular scenery. Some days push your limits and others allow you to savor the landscape, but every day delivers the raw beauty Patagonia is famous for.

Photo by: Meena Nagarajan

To lighten the load and deepen our connection to the region, local porters will assist by carrying group gear, allowing you to focus primarily on your personal gear. These porters are an integral part of Patagonia’s culture and you’ll share stories, laughter, and maté as they offer a glimpse into life in this remarkable landscape. You should expect to carry a 25-30 pound backpack during this trip.

Photo by: Emily Chiu

Patagonia’s weather is legendary, and you’ll likely encounter it all: wind, sun, rain, sleet, and maybe even snow. In November, Torres del Paine typically sees lows in the 30s and highs in the 60s. Since November is Spring in the southern hemisphere, expect to see baby guanacos during birthing season and spring flora blooming.These ever-changing conditions shape the land and the people who thrive here, adding to the sense of adventure and accomplishment that defines this journey.

Photo by: Pedro Binfa

Evenings are spent at established camps within the park, designed to protect the pristine environment while offering welcome comforts. You’ll sleep in tents but enjoy amenities such as food concessions, hot showers at many camps, and meals prepared by camp staff. Hikers find that these luxuries elevate the experience without sacrificing its wild spirit. Two nights of the trip will be spent at a backcountry camp rather than the standard refugios. 

Photo by: Meena Nagarajan

What is the difference between this trip: the ‘W’ & Hidden Valley Circuit and the “O” Circuit?

The O Circuit forms a full loop around the park, while the W Trek makes a “W” shape to the south of the park. The O Circuit includes the W Trek, which makes up the southern portion of the circuit. The “O” is longer -127 kilometers- and the “W” is about 90 kilometers. Both the O and W circuit trips with NOLS alumni trips are the same number of days and nights. What this means for folks hiking the W Circuit is that you will stay at some campsites more than one night and take day hikes to go up the secluded valleys that deviate from the standard trails. Because the W Circuit trip includes more day hikes, we have some flexibility in regard to layover day difficulty depending on the group’s goals.

What is special about the Hidden Valleys?

The Hidden Valleys are side trails that are not maintained like the standard O and W Circuit trails. These areas require permits and guides, therefore offering less crowded trails than the traditional routes. 

The Valle del Silencio and Valle Bader offer unique views of the Cerro Escudo, Los Cuernos, and Almirante Nieto towers among many other amazing peaks. The French Valley (Valle Francés) lies at the heart of the Paine Massif and is widely regarded as one of the most scenic valleys in Torres del Paine National Park.

Photo by: Felipe Voullieme

Valle del Silencio (Silent Valley) offers a challenging, permit-only trek into Torres del Paine’s less-traveled backside. This valley provides a unique perspective of the Towers and a glimpse into early mountaineering history far from the usual crowds. 

On the southeastern side of the park, Valle Bader (Vader Valley) is a wild, lesser-known side valley defined by sheer granite walls, glacier vistas, and raw terrain. With no maintained trails and strict permit and guide requirements, it’s a demanding route best suited for serious hikers and climbers looking to escape the crowds of the W Trek.

Valle Francés (French Valley) is a striking glacial valley framed by the sheer granite walls of the Cuernos and Bader peaks to the east, while the massive bulk of Cerro Paine Grande dominates the western skyline.The trail up the valley winds through forests and alpine terrain before reaching the high point at Mirador Británico, which marks both the end of the valley and the midpoint of the “W.”

Photo by: Meena Nagarajan