W-Trek Day 3: From Paine Grande to Frances

Introduction

With around 22km to cover, today is the longest day of our 5-day trek in the park. The plan is to leave Paine Grande and hike to Italiano, a free camping area (currently closed), where we will drop our bags before heading up to the Britanico viewpoint.

After enjoying the panoramic views at Britanico, we’ll return to Italiano, retrieve our gear, and continue to Frances, where we will stay overnight.

Approximate distances:

Paine Grande to Italiano: 7.5km
Italiano to Britanico: 5.4km
Italiano to Frances: 0.5km

Couple smiling for a selfie in the Británico Valley with towering jagged peaks and glaciers in the background. — selfie in the Británico valley

Read: The Ultimate Torres del Paine hiking guide, 5-day W-Trek

Mapping the W-Trek Day 3

Map of Torres del Paine National Park showing the W Trek route, ranger stations, camping zones, lookouts, lakes, and key trails.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Leaving Paine Grande

We woke up around 7am, had breakfast, and started getting ready for the long trek ahead. As Tina got her period this morning and forgot to bring pads, she headed to the minimarket to buy some while I packed up our gear. We also treated ourselves to two coffees from the store before brushing our teeth, using the WC, and setting off around 8:15am.

Couple standing in front of Refugio Paine Grande, dressed in hiking gear and ready for the day’s trek. — Beginning of the W-Trek Day 3

Paine Grande to Italiano

Trail

According to the map, this section of the trail is 7.5km and estimated to take around 2.5 hours. We left at 8:15am and arrived at Italiano by 10:25am, completing it in 2 hours and 10 minutes. By this time, Tina’s knees were hurting, and mine also started acting up again, even though I had felt fine in the morning.

The trail itself was relatively flat with only a few small ascents and descents. It wasn’t too difficult and was actually quite enjoyable, especially with the stunning views all along the way.

Man and woman smiling together with Cuernos del Paine and its perfect lake reflection in the background in Torres del Paine. — Cuernos del Paine

Here are all your hotel options in Puerto Natales and here in Torres Del Paine

Italiano

Italiano Camp, owned by CONAF, is supposed to be a free camping spot, but it seemed mostly closed, with only a couple of tents set up.

Hiker crossing a wooden suspension bridge surrounded by lush forest and mountain peaks in Torres del Paine. — Alex crossing a wooden suspension bridge

We dropped our main backpacks there and continued with just our 20L daypack. The camp has basic facilities, including toilets and access to fresh water directly from the river.

Group of hikers storing backpacks at Campamento Italiano among trees before continuing the trek in Torres del Paine — Backpack storage at Campamento Italiano

Note: If you see people washing their dishes in the river, remind them that this is meant to be drinkable water, not a cleaning station.

After some bag reorganization, we were ready to go and left Italiano at 10:55am.

Small green park ranger shelter at Camp Italiano with hikers resting outside and backpacks on the ground in Torres del Paine. — Park ranger shelter at Camp Italiano

Tip: Make sure to pack quality waterproof jackets — one for him and one for her — they’ll make all the difference on rainy days.

Trail to Britanico

This section of the trail is the toughest part of the day, leading up to the Britanico viewpoint and back. The hike is 5.4 km one-way and takes approximately 3 hours to reach the top. The trail is steep and rocky, but the breathtaking views make it well worth the effort.

Italiano to Mirador de Frances

Mirador de Frances is a stunning viewpoint along the trail to Britanico, offering breathtaking views of the Frances Glacier. It’s important to note that this is not the same as Frances Shelter or Camping, but rather a scenic stop along the way.

Scenic trail to Mirador Francés with a twisted tree in the foreground and snow-capped peaks rising behind in Torres del Paine. — Scenic trail to Mirador Francés

The first part of the trail follows the river, which is quite demanding due to its rocky terrain. Afterward, the path leads into the forest, providing some shade and a change in landscape.

Couple taking a selfie on the trail to Mirador Francés with sweeping views of valleys, lakes, and distant mountains in Torres del Paine. — Selfie at Mirador de Frances

We took a lunch break around 12:00 pm, just before reaching the Frances Lookout, on a large rock filled with beautiful colors. The view was incredible, and we could even witness avalanches crashing down from the Frances Glacier, making this stop even more memorable.

Hiker sitting on a rock admiring the dramatic glacier-covered peaks of Mirador Francés in Torres del Paine National Park. — Mirador Francés in Torres del Paine National Park.

Read: All our gears and equipments for hiking, blogging, vlogging and so much more…

Mirador Frances to Britanico

Britanico consists of two main points:

Britanico itself – a stunning rocky area in the middle of the forest, surrounded by majestic mountain peaks.
Britanico Viewpoint – located slightly further and higher, offering a panoramic 360° view of the surrounding valleys and peaks.

Narrow dirt trail through a dense forest leading from Mirador Francés toward Mirador Británico in Torres del Paine.

The trail to Britanico becomes longer but more enjoyable, as it gradually shifts into dense forest. Unlike the earlier rocky sections, this part of the trek is more shaded, making it a bit easier despite the increasing distance.

Panoramic view of jagged peaks and glaciers surrounding the Mirador Británico in Torres del Paine National Park.

Interestingly, Britanico has disappeared from some maps, but it remains one of the most rewarding viewpoints in Torres del Paine, offering breathtaking landscapes that make the effort completely worth it

Tip: We hike with Osprey backpacks and can’t recommend them enough — the Talon 44 and Tempest 40 are comfortable, durable, and great for any adventure.

Britanico to Britanico lookout

The final stretch to Britanico Viewpoint is a steady climb over large boulders, leading to a small viewpoint perched on another massive rock. Though this section isn’t too long, it requires some effort due to the steep incline.

Smiling hiker on the rocky trail to Mirador Británico with rugged snow-covered peaks towering in the background. — Rocky trail to Mirador Británico with rugged snow-covered peaks towering in the background.

In the end, we left Frances Viewpoint at 12:25pm and arrived at Britanico at 2:05pm, completing the ascent in 3 hours and 10 minutes—despite dealing with knee pain along the way.

Panoramic view of the Británico Valley in Torres del Paine with dramatic mountain peaks under a partly cloudy sky.

Once at the top, the reward is incredible: a breathtaking 360° panoramic view over the mountains, valleys, and glaciers of Torres del Paine. This is truly one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the entire park.

Here are all your hotel options in Puerto Natales and here in Torres Del Paine

Return to Italiano

The last stretch of the day was a short but rewarding 2km trail, which took us around 30 minutes. The path started with a main uphill section, followed by a downhill descent toward Frances shelter and camping.

Couple taking a selfie with a sweeping view of green valleys, lakes, and distant snow-covered mountains in Torres del Paine. — Selfie before heading back to italiano

At the highest point, we took a brief stop to admire the stunning lake view stretching out in front of us—a well-earned moment of peace after a long day on the trail.

By 6:10pm, we arrived at Frances’ shelter, ready to rest, refuel, and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Wide view of a hiker resting at a scenic lookout with sweeping vistas of lakes, valleys, and mountains in Torres del Paine. — Tina sitting on a rock overlooking lakes on the W Trek in Torres del Paine.

Trail to Frances

Last trail of the day. 2km, 30min. There is a main uphill and then downhill. On the top, we made a stop to admire the lake in front of us. We arrived there at 6:10pm.

Golden granite peaks rising above dense green forest under a vibrant blue sky with scattered clouds.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Domos Frances

Unlike traditional shelters, Domos Frances offers shared bunk beds inside geodesic domes, creating a unique and cozy atmosphere. Located between Italiano and Los Cuernos, it provides stunning lake views and a different experience compared to other accommodations in the park.

After a long day on the trail, we headed straight for check-in, dropped our bags, and took a much-needed hot shower. With aching knees, especially after the challenging hike beyond Italiano, the day had taken its toll. To reward ourselves, we grabbed two cold beers and some crispy rolls, a small but satisfying treat to end the day.

Unlike our previous accommodation reviews in Torres del Paine, we will only be covering the domes here, as the camping area was located uphill and separate from the domes.

Wooden building entrance at Frances campsite surrounded by trees, overlooking a lake in Torres del Paine National Park. — Wooden building entrance at Frances campsite

General information

There are a total of four domes for accommodation, plus one dining/reception dome. Compared to other shelters in Torres del Paine, this was the smallest one we stayed in, offering a more intimate and quiet atmosphere.

Cluster of green-domed eco-cabins with wooden exteriors at Domos Frances under a partly cloudy sky.

Tip: Make sure to pack quality waterproof jackets — one for him and one for her — they’ll make all the difference on rainy days.

The Dome’s room

Each dome can accommodate up to 8 people, arranged in double bunk beds, but with partitions separating each bunk to create some privacy in a shared space.

Green-domed eco-accommodation with wooden exterior walls and stairs leading to the entrance at Domos Frances.

The ceiling and roof are made of plastic, which can make the interior warm on hot days. However, when we visited in March, the temperature inside was comfortable. There are windows at the rear of the domes, but they cannot be opened.

At the back of the domes, there is a shared bench for four beds, while the other side features small chairs for additional seating.

Hiker sitting on a bench inside a geodesic dome with backpacks and trekking gear in the background. — Inside a geodesic dome at Frances

Each bed is equipped with its own light and USB port for charging devices. The bedding includes a pillow and a sleeping bag, providing warmth and comfort for the night.

Compact bunk bed setup inside a geodesic dome accommodation at Frances campsite on the W Trek.

Bathroom

Each dome has one WC for men and one for women, as well as separate showers. The showers are equipped with soap and shampoo, providing basic toiletries for guests.

Shared toilet facilities at Frances domes with two stalls, white tiled walls, and small windows for natural light

Shared area

There is a small minimarket near the reception, though it is much smaller compared to Grey or Paine Grande. While the selection is limited, you can still find beers, food, snacks, and basic emergency supplies.

Small wooden store at Frances campsite selling snacks, drinks, and hiking essentials with staff assisting trekkers. — Small wooden store at Frances campsite

The common area is located inside the dining dome, but it is only accessible after the dinner service at 7pm and 8pm, meaning it opens around 9:30pm. If needed, you can ask for cups at the reception.

Cozy wooden dining area at Frances campsite with communal tables set for meals and a large window overlooking the landscape. — Cozy wooden dining area at Frances campsite

There is no dedicated kitchen for cooking with a gas stove, but you are allowed to cook on the tables around the site. However, seating is limited, so securing a spot early is a good idea.

Couple enjoying bottled beers at an outdoor wooden table with lake and mountain views in Torres del Paine. — Cheers!

For drinkable water, both hot and cold water are available near the reception.

Exterior of Domos Frances with a sign for the minimarket and UV index chart next to a water dispenser. — Water point at Domos Frances

Read: The Ultimate Torres del Paine hiking guide, 5-day W-Trek

About the authors

We are Alex and Tina, a French-Serbian couple who met in China back in 2014. We spent three incredible years there before making France our home. Our shared passion for travel has been the heartbeat of our relationship for over 12 years, taking us across 44 countries and counting.

We launched TheDailyPackers in 2019 as a way to document our adventures. In 2026, we reached a major milestone by officially turning our blog into our full-time job. While we are still growing toward financial independence through this platform, every article we write is fueled by our mission to make your voyages easier through in-depth guides, honest advice, and the lessons we’ve learned from our own mistakes.

Our journey has not been without its storms. In 2023, our world changed forever when our first son, Poppy, was stillborn on November 25th. It was, and remains, the hardest chapter of our lives. In 2025, we were blessed with our second little boy, Milo. He has since joined our traveling tribe, and you’ll be seeing him—and the reality of traveling with a little one-on the blog more and more.

We hope to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity and resilience. Thank you for being part of our story.