5 Reasons Why the W-Trek is the Perfect Multi-day Hike for Beginners
Are you making the leap between day hikes to multi-day, backpacking hikes? It can be quite intimidating. There’s more gear involved, more training, and more overall planning. Do I have the right gear? Where will I find water, and how do I purify it? Can my body handle days on the trail carrying a heavy pack?
All of this is quite overwhelming to the beginner backpacker. If you love the outdoors but are unsure of a multi-day hike, the W-Trek in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is the perfect option for beginners.
1. Extra days to acclimate to elevation is not needed
People automatically assume that hiking in the mountains equates to high elevation. This isn’t the case in Torres del Paine National Park. Most of the park remains at sea level with the highest point on the trek at 1100 meters (3680 ft) in the French Valley. If you live at lower elevation, traveling to other parts of the world for long hikes requires a few days to acclimate. We love that you can start enjoying the trail as soon as you arrive in the region.
2. Refugios offer many comforts while on the trail
Wild camping is prohibited in the national park, and for good reason. It’s important to protect the delicate flora and prevent fires. Refugios are spaced out along the trail and offer a limited number of pre-reserved campsites or shared dorm options. The camping facilities are minimal with access to clean bathrooms and hot showers. Inside the refugios you’ll find a restaurant serving hot meals and a fully stocked bar. Craving a candy bar? You can buy one in the refugio.
3. Navigation skills are not required
The trail is well-maintained and easy to find. Sections of the trail are maintained by different groups, so you’ll see signage changing. When you enter the park, the rangers will give you a map with accurate distances and estimated time between refugios. Unlike other hikes in the region, navigation skills are not required. Save your compass skills you learned in summer camp for another trail and just enjoy the scenery without the stress of figuring out if you’re going in the right direction.
4. Forget the bears
Torres del Paine has a plethora of wildlife. Condors, guanacos, and other creatures can be found in the region. Unlike the wilderness of North America and parts of Europe, bears and all of the precautions of trekking through bear country is not a concern. Bears are not native to the region (possibly the continent). You don’t have to worry about hanging your food at night or the extra weight and space of carrying a bear canister.
5. Water is everywhere
Cool and refreshing crisp glacier water abounds along the W-Trek. Unlike the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park that are parched and bone dry, there’s an abundance of safe drinking water along the trail. Desert hiking requires you to carry days worth of water, not only for drinking but also meal preparation and personal hygiene. It adds weight to your pack, which translates to sore muscles or the potential of miscalculating the amount of water needed. On the W-Trek, rivers and waterfalls can easily be found along the trail. You can refill often, which means you can carry a smaller water bottle or fill up less often without compromising your hydration.
The beauty of Torres del Paine is unmatched. At every lookout point, you’ll question whether you’ve been plucked out of your life and dropped into a real-life postcard. Although there are many advantages to trekking the W-Trek, the weather changes at the drop of a hat and all precautions must be taken seriously. Logistics and planning are not the most straight-forward, even for the seasoned traveler. Some people travel thousands of miles only to realize they made a mistake and cannot hike the full W-Trek as intended due to poor planning.
Join Zealous Travel Co. on an adventure of a lifetime. We do all of the planning for you and work out the logistics, so you don’t have to. Our trip specialists support you leading up to the trip to ensure you are fully prepared for W-Trek to enjoy it to its fullest. Check out our 9-day itinerary, and get ready to be awestruck by the beauty of Patagonia.