Introduction: W-Trek Day 4
Today’s trek will bring us from Domos Frances to Los Cuernos district where another shelter/Camping is located. From there we will then head on straight to Chileno where we will stay overnight. There will be one intersection not to miss as the road split between Chileno and central.
The trail length is:
- Frances to Los Cuernos: 2km – 2h
- Los Cuernos to Chileno: 13km – 4,5 to 5h
Regarding our knees, this morning we are fine. My knee doesn’t hurt anymore but the question is for how long. The pain comes mainly from the left side of the left knee, it might be a tendon inflammation or something.
Table of Contents
Leaving Frances Domos
This morning we woke with the rain around 8am. We headed to get our breakfast with a lake view, but it was too rainy, and we had to get back in the dome.
Once done, we packed our stuff and headed out. At this time there wasn’t hot water in the shower anymore. So, if you plan on taking a nice and hot morning shower, it might be compromise.
Trail Frances to Los Cuernos
Frances to Los Cuernos
We left at 9:10am and arrived at Los Cuernos by 10:25am. There were a few uphill/downhill but the trek is fine. With the rain over you, anyway you mainly focus on going forward.
A while after we left Frances, we arrived at a rocky beach along the lake, it was beautiful and would have been a great spot with a blue sky!
Trail from Los Cuernos to Chileno
Los Cuernos to Chileno intersection
The road from now on is mostly all along the lake. It goes up and down all along but offers splendid views toward the lake. There are as well many places to make some break and enjoyed.
At this time, the sun came out and the rain stopped. It became super enjoyable. We made some really long break of 30min or so for lunch and another one later to enjoy the view.
We arrived at the intersection by 4:40pm. You can miss the crossroad as there are some signs.
Intersection to Chileno
We must admit that at first, we felt like we were going on the wrong way. There was almost nobody on the trail (a group of 4 Italian and one Korean person). There also were no more sign after the crossroad.
But we kept on anyway and hoped for the best. This part was the hardest, it might be because of our knee that along the way became super painful but there also was a part that was really uphill.
Anyway, it is nothing impossible to do and we made it to Chileno by 5:15pm.
Chileno
Today we will be staying in the camping. As Chileno is between a river and a mountain. The camping area is made on platforms.
This now is the smaller shelter of them all. The tents are OK but much smaller compare to the other camp site.
Also, there you cannot cook at all (cannot use gas stow) but you can ask hot water from the shelter and there is a tap on the side of the shelter for fresh water.
Shower and WC are behind the shelter and have 24h hot water. Check-out is as always by 9:30am.
There is not really a common area, the shelter has some table but for dinner they are almost all taken by them. Tables are available outside but shortly after we arrived rain started again. So, we quickly had diner and went in the tent.
The most complicated here actually is that the camping is on platform and uphill, it is a pain to go to the bathroom.
If you are a river sound lover, you will love it. The river next to it is really big and noisy.
Video
“To travel is to live.” – Hans Christian Andersen
Looking where to Stay before and after?
Unique Stay near the Park
- Lodge: Cabañas Lago Tyndall
- Tiny House: Torres del Paine
- Lodge: Konkashken Lodge
Or in Puerto Natales:
- Budget: Puma House
- Mid-Range: Toore Patagonia
- High-Range: Hostal Boutique Factoria Patagonia
