French Valley Hike Torres del Paine Private Trek Puerto Natales

A full day on foot through Patagonia's granite peaks and turquoise lakes, with a catamaran crossing built in.

This private trek in Torres del Paine National Park starts in Puerto Natales and covers French Valley, Lake Pehoé and Salto Grande waterfall over a full day of hiking and travel. The itinerary includes hotel pickup, a catamaran crossing of the lake, and a packed lunch. A live guide speaks English or Spanish. The hike itself runs 6 to 8 hours and covers roughly 24 kilometers, so it suits travelers with solid fitness and mountain experience.

Step-by-step itinerary

French Valley Hike and Lake Pehoé

• Leave from Puerto Natales
• Stop at Salto Grande waterfall
• Enter Torres del Paine National Park
• Cross Lake Pehoé by catamaran
• Begin trek to French Valley via Italian Camp
• Hike through forests and glaciers
• Enjoy lunch box in nature
• Return hike with views of Lake Pehoé
• Cross Lake Pehoé by catamaran back
• Return to Puerto Natales

The experience

The day leaves Puerto Natales early and makes a stop at Salto Grande waterfall before entering Torres del Paine National Park. From there, you cross Lake Pehoé by catamaran (the turquoise water the Tehuelches called "the hidden lake"), and then begin the trek to French Valley. The route passes through forest and past glacier views on the way to Italian Camp, then continues for several more kilometers into the valley itself. The catamaran crossing is what breaks up the day and gets you across terrain a trail cannot. The hike is the core of the experience.

You'll hike for 6 to 8 hours total, covering about 24 kilometers of mountain terrain. Lunch is included and eaten somewhere in the park, surrounded by the landscape itself. The return follows the same route back to Italian Camp, then down to the lake crossing and the drive back to Puerto Natales. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for centrally located hotels only. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the group throughout, and the private format means the pace and stops are yours to shape within the day's structure.

The National Park entrance fee is paid separately in Chilean pesos at the gate. It is not included in the tour price. Bring layered warm clothes, a hat, gloves, UV-filtered sunglasses, trekking shoes, sunscreen and water. The minimum age is 14, and the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular conditions that would limit sustained hiking at altitude.

What’s included

• Full-day private trek with a live guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located hotels.
• catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoé.
• packed lunch eaten during the hike.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:45

AgesAdult (14 to 65 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 65

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?A full day of hiking and travel, roughly 12 hours total, means this trek fills the entire day and leaves little room for other activities. Choose it if you want to commit a full day to one immersive experience in the park. If you prefer to split your time between multiple sites or shorter walks, a half-day tour or a mix of shorter hikes would suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is the Salto Grande waterfall and where does it fit in the day?

Salto Grande is a waterfall in the Torres del Paine area where the tour makes its first stop after leaving Puerto Natales, before entering the National Park and heading to the lake crossing.

Do I hike the whole time, or is there a break built into the day?

The catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoé breaks up the hiking. You hike to the lake, cross it by boat, then hike into French Valley and back out the same way, with lunch eaten during the trek.

What does the private format mean for how the day runs?

A private trek means your group hikes together with a single guide who can adjust the pace and stops to suit your fitness and interests, rather than moving with a larger shared group on a fixed schedule.

Is the National Park entrance fee included in the tour price?

No. The National Park entrance is paid separately in Chilean pesos at the gate when you arrive. It is not part of the tour cost.

How much hiking experience do I need for this trek?

The tour requires a high level of physical fitness and mountain hiking experience. The hike covers roughly 24 kilometers over 6 to 8 hours at altitude, so it suits experienced trekkers rather than casual walkers.