Introduction

This morning, we’ll start by visiting the Grey Glacier viewpoint to take in the breathtaking views of the massive ice formations. From there, we’ll head to a secluded beach near the ranger station, a quiet spot to relax before continuing our adventure.

Next, we’ll hike to the suspended bridges, located at the end of the O-Trek, where we’ll get an incredible panoramic view over Grey Glacier. After exploring, we’ll return to Grey Shelter for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll begin our 11km hike back to Paine Grande, following the same trail as yesterday but with a different perspective on the stunning landscapes. This guide will detail the W-Trek Day 2. If you are looking for other stages, we’ve got you covered:

• W-Trek Day 1: From Puerto Natales to Grey Glacier
• W-Trek Day 3: From Paine Grande to Frances
• W-Trek Day 4: From Frances to Chileno
• W-Trek Day 5: From Chileno to Central
• Torres del Paine Guide: The Best 5-day W-Trek

Trail Stats at a Glance

Today, we follow the W-Trek from Grey to Glacier Lookout to Suspended Bridge back to Grey to Paine Grande:

• Distance: 11 km (+400m, -370m) plus:
  • Refugio Grey to Ranger Station: +850m, +50m (one way)
  • Refugio Grey to 1st suspension bridge: 2km, +150m (one way)
  • 1st to 2nd suspension bridge: 1.5km, +150m (one way)
  • 2nd to 3rd suspension bridge: 1.7km, +170m (one way)
• Highest Point: 411m
• Lowest Point: 40m
• Estimated Time: 6-8 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Required Booking: Room or camping spot at Paine Grande
• Best Time to Start: between 7 am and 8 am.

If you didn’t do it the night before, drop your bags at Grey Shelter/Camping and hike a bit further to the Grey Glacier lookout. This short detour offers stunning panoramic views of the massive glacier, floating icebergs, and the surrounding mountains.

If you’re looking for a peaceful moment, trail down to the ranger station for a quiet break away from the crowds.

Mapping the W-Trek Day 2

Departure from Grey shelter

The morning was peaceful as we quietly gathered our breakfast and headed to the bar area, making sure not to disturb the other couple in our room. We asked for a cup at the counter to prepare our coffee, enjoying the warmth of the hot water available at the shelter.

After finishing breakfast, we packed our bags, left them at the entrance of the shelter for safekeeping, and stepped outside at 9:16 am, ready for the day’s adventure.

North of Grey shelter

Glacier viewpoint

We first passed through the camping area and followed the trail for about 15 minutes to reach the Grey Glacier viewpoint. Once there, we took another short walk, around 5 minutes, to explore the area and get a broader perspective of the glacier.

The view of the glacier itself was stunning, but what stood out most were the vibrant shades of blue in the nearby icebergs. Their colors contrasted beautifully with the grey skies, creating a mesmerizing landscape.

Secluded beach

We then headed back and, upon reaching the junction, decided to take the path down to the ranger station to see what was there. It seemed like a rarely visited spot, as we found ourselves completely alone. The peacefulness was incredible.

At the station, there was a small secluded beach with a breathtaking view of the lake. The calm waters and the surrounding mountains made for a stunning, tranquil setting. We took our time relaxing by the shore, enjoying the solitude and scenery before making our way back up and continuing our trek.

Suspended bridges

We hadn’t initially planned to go, but after meeting hikers coming from the O-Trek, we changed our minds. They told us that the supposedly 5-hour trek from Paso to Grey had taken them only about 2 hours and 30 minutes, even with all their gear, and that the views from the suspended bridges were absolutely worth the detour.

There are three suspension bridges in total, but they recommend going at least to the second one, as it already offers stunning views of the glaciers.

So, we went for it. We started the trail around 10:35 am and arrived at the first bridge by 11:05 am. The second one took a bit longer, and we reached it at 11:40 am. The trail itself was a mix of ups and downs, but was overall enjoyable.

Crossing the first suspended bridge was an adventure in itself, as we had to climb a ladder to get onto it. Both bridges offered incredible landscapes, making the detour completely worth it. After taking in the views, we turned back, arriving at the first bridge again by 12:10 pm and making it back to Grey Shelter by 12:45 pm.

Along the way, we spotted some woodpeckers, mostly hearing them before actually seeing them. It was a great little side trip before continuing the main trek back to Paine Grande.

Trail to Paine Grande

Grey shelter

As it was 12:45 pm, we picked up our bags and had lunch in front of the shelter. Then, we asked for a water refill of our bottle and water bladder, used the toilet one last time, and left around 1:25 pm.

Trail back

At 12:45 pm, we grabbed our bags and settled down in front of the shelter for lunch. It was a nice break before heading back on the trail.

After eating, we refilled our water bottles and hydration bladders at the shelter, made a quick stop at the restroom, and by 1:25 pm, we were ready to hit the trail back to Paine Grande.

Paine Grande

Paine Grande shelter and camping is located in the southeast part of the park. From here, you can access or leave the park via a regular ferry to and from Pudeto. The location is stunning, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, and the campsite itself is quite spacious on a flat area.

For this night, we stayed in a tent. We checked in at the camping reception, waited a bit, and received our tent with sleeping bags. The tent (The North Face Summit Series, likely a three-person model) was spacious but visibly used.

Once settled, we went for a shower—only to be greeted with freezing water. Later, we heard that the showers were actually hot, so either there was a temporary issue, or the hot water is only available later in the evening. The camping showers are more basic than those in the shelter, but they were sufficient.

After freshening up, we explored the camping and shelter area. There’s a minimarket for supplies and a bar on the first floor of the shelter. When we stopped by, it was packed, which made it feel quite small given the number of people there. Paine Grande itself looked older than Grey Shelter, but its surroundings were even more impressive.

Later, we headed to the kitchen and dining area for campers, prepared our dinner, and then went to rest for the night.

Camping Paine Grande

Camping area

The camping area is set on a flat open space, bordered by a mountain on one side and a lake on the other, offering breathtaking views. Designated tent spots are available, but most are preset because they are rented year-round.

The provided tents are The North Face Summit Series, seemingly designed for three people, making them quite spacious if you’re sharing with just one other person.

The sleeping bags are high-quality, rated for temperatures as low as -17°C, ensuring warmth even in cold conditions. However, no pillows are provided, so bringing a small travel pillow or using a bundled-up jacket for support is recommended.

Bathroom

The campsite has separate bathrooms for men and women. During peak hours, an additional set of bathrooms is opened to accommodate more guests.

When I took a shower, there was no hot water, and it was quite cold. However, later on, we overheard people saying they had hot water, so it seems the availability fluctuates.

The showers themselves are individual, but the changing area is shared and quite small. It tends to get wet quickly, but overall, it’s manageable for a short stay.

Kitchen

The kitchen area is a designated space where you can use a gas stove for cooking. Next to it, there is a large seating area with plenty of tables, making it a great spot to prepare and enjoy meals.

Additionally, drinkable water is available directly from the kitchen area, ensuring easy access for cooking and refilling bottles.

Shelter/Refugio

General information

When we arrived, we took some time to explore the shelter and see what it had to offer.

Check-in is available from 1 pm, and check-out must be done by 9:30 am the next day. Electricity and hot water are available until midnight, making it convenient to charge devices and take a warm shower after a long hike.

Rooms

We didn’t get the chance to see the rooms because access beyond the reception desk is restricted to guests staying at the shelter. However, from what we heard, the rooms are similar to those in other refuges, offering basic but comfortable accommodations for hikers.

Dining area

The dining area at Paine Grande operates as a buffet-style cafeteria and is conveniently located on the right as you enter the shelter. It provides meals for guests who have booked food packages, offering a variety of hearty options to refuel after a long day of hiking.

Bar

The bar, located on the first floor of Paine Grande shelter, near the dining area, serves both drinks and food. When we stopped by, it was packed, likely because the space isn’t very large. The menu appeared to be the same as what we had seen at Grey Shelter, offering a selection of snacks, sandwiches, and beverages to enjoy after a long day on the trail.

Shop

A minimarket is also present in Paine Grande, next to the kitchen, in case you need or forgot something:

• Waters
• Beers
• Sodas
• Cookies
• Biscuits
• Nutella
• DDL
• Chocolate
• Chips
• Dry soups
• Pasta and sauce
• Wraps
• Cheeses
• Eggs
• Breads
• And so on…

If you need to use the internet, there are some computers available.

Conclusion

Now that we know the park better, we would have started our W-Trek Day 2 earlier than 9:16 am. Leaving sooner would have given us more time to explore the end of the O-Trek and fully enjoy the stunning views from the suspended bridges without feeling rushed.