Paine Grande to Grey

The hike from Paine Grande to Grey Glacier is a popular section of the famous W-Trek. This leg of the trek showcases the park's diverse landscapes, including lush forests, turquoise lakes, and dramatic mountain backdrops, culminating in the impressive Grey Glacier, which forms part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

The trail from Paine Grande to Grey covers a distance of approximately 7 miles one way and takes roughly 4 to 5 hours to complete, depending on your pace and the time spent admiring the scenery. As you hike along the shores of Lake Grey, you'll be treated to stunning views of the glacier and the surrounding mountains. The trail ends at the Refugio Grey or the Mirador Grey, where you can marvel at the glacier's immense scale and its characteristic blue ice formations, with massive icebergs floating in the lake.

We recommend this hike as the first day of your W-trek, starting with the scenic catamaran ride through lake Pehoe that gets you to Paine Grande, and checking in to Refugio Grey after the hike. And then finishing your day with a spectacular kayaking trip among Grey Glacier's icebergs – another once-in-a-lifetime experience.