---
title: "French Valley Trek from Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine"
date: 2026-07-26
canonical: https://torresdelpainetour.com/tours/french-valley-trek/
---
# French Valley Trek from Puerto Natales

- Ticket price: From 160 EUR per person (Prices checked 2026-07-26, prices may vary)
- Duration: Full day (about 13 hours, 5:45am to 6:30pm)
- Best for: Hikers wanting a different valley than Base Torres
- Guided treks
- Check availability: https://www.getyourguide.com/en-us/puerto-natales-l32145/trek-the-french-valley-from-natales-t1094016/?partner_id=D7H7I6M&utm_medium=travel_agent&cmp=torresdelpainetour_com_agent_markdown (GetYourGuide · This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.)

- ★ 27 kilometer round-trip trek to the Mirador del Valle Francés
- ★ Panoramic views of Paine Grande and the Cuernos del Paine
- ★ Catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoé each way
- ★ Certified bilingual guide with wilderness first aid training
- ★ Trekking poles and transport from Puerto Natales included

## Our take
The French Valley lookout is one of the least crowded high-value viewpoints in the park, and the catamaran crossing on both ends adds scenery you do not get on a road-based tour. The catch that trips people up: the Lake Pehoé catamaran ticket is not included in the price and needs to be bought in advance to hold your spot, so budget for that separately before you book. This is also a genuinely demanding 27 kilometer day, so it is not a fit for casual sightseers.

The **French Valley Trek** is a full-day, 27 kilometer round-trip hike to the Mirador del Valle Francés inside Torres del Paine National Park, reached by a catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoé and led by a certified bilingual guide. Prices start at EUR 160 per person, and the day runs from a 5:45am pickup to a return around 6:30pm.

## What Makes the French Valley Trek Worth Doing?

The French Valley sits between two of the park's most recognizable formations, the granite spire of Paine Grande and the black-and-gray horns of the Cuernos del Paine, and the trail climbs straight up the middle of that view. Unlike the Base of the Towers route, this hike starts with a catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoé rather than a road transfer, which means the day begins on the water before it ever hits the trail. The lookout at the top delivers a 360-degree panorama that includes the French Glacier calving into the valley below, a sight many repeat visitors rate above the more famous towers themselves. A WFR-certified guide, trained in wilderness first aid, leads the group and keeps pace with the mandatory return catamaran at 6:00pm.

## What Happens on the French Valley Trek?

The day starts early with a 5:45am pickup in Puerto Natales and a drive to the Pudeto sector of the park. From there you board the first catamaran across Lake Pehoé to Paine Grande Refuge, the starting point for the hike. The trail follows the valley floor through forest and past glacier moraine before climbing steadily to the Mirador del Valle Francés, with views opening up progressively as you gain elevation. After time at the lookout to rest and take photos, the group descends the same trail back to Paine Grande in time to catch the last catamaran of the day back to Pudeto, where transport is waiting for the drive to Puerto Natales.

## Who Should Book This Torres del Paine Hike?

This trek suits experienced hikers who have already done or want to skip the more crowded Base of the Towers trail and are comfortable with a demanding 27 kilometer day. It is not a good fit for anyone unsure about their fitness level, since missing the return catamaran is not really an option. If you would rather hike to the towers themselves, book the [Base of the Towers day hike](https://torresdelpainetour.com/tours/base-of-towers-hike/) instead, or if you want to do both valleys as part of a longer trip, look at the [W Trek Express](https://torresdelpainetour.com/tours/w-trek-express/), which includes the French Valley as one of its stages.

## Prices and What's Included

Prices start from EUR 160 per person, covering a professional driver, a WFR-certified bilingual guide, pickup and drop-off from central Puerto Natales hotels, and trekking poles. Not included: food and drinks for the day, the Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee, and the Lake Pehoé catamaran ticket, which is a separate purchase that the operator recommends securing before booking the trek itself, since sailings can sell out. Prices are scraped from the operator and can shift with the season, so confirm the exact total, including the catamaran ticket, before your trip.

## How Do You Get to the French Valley Trailhead?

Puerto Natales is the departure point, with transport included to the Pudeto sector of the park, roughly a two-hour drive. From Pudeto the catamaran handles the crossing to the trailhead at Paine Grande, so no additional transport arrangements are needed once you are on the tour. If you are flying in, Punta Arenas has the region's main airport and is a three-hour bus ride from Puerto Natales.

## Insider Tips for the French Valley Trek

Buy your Lake Pehoé catamaran ticket as early as possible. It is genuinely not included in the tour price, and sailings during the December to February high season can sell out days in advance, which would strand you on the wrong side of the lake. Pack layers and a wind shell, since the valley funnels wind from the glacier and temperatures drop noticeably at the higher sections of the trail. Bring more food and water than you think you need for a full day of hiking, and start the descent with plenty of buffer time, since missing the last catamaran means an unplanned night at Paine Grande.

## How Does This Compare to Other Torres del Paine Tours?

Within the wider set of [Torres del Paine tours](https://torresdelpainetour.com/), this is the trek for hikers who want a quieter alternative to the Base of the Towers route without giving up dramatic mountain views. For a boat-based day that does not involve strenuous hiking, look at the [Grey Glacier boat tour](https://torresdelpainetour.com/tours/grey-glacier-boat-tour/) instead, which uses a similar catamaran but ends at the glacier rather than a mountain lookout.

## What's included
- ✓ Professional driver for pickup and drop-off
- ✓ WFR-certified bilingual trekking guide (Spanish and English)
- ✓ Pickup and drop-off from central hotels in Puerto Natales
- ✓ Trekking poles
- ✗ Food and drinks
- ✗ Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee
- ✗ Lake Pehoé catamaran ticket (must be purchased in advance to secure the trip)

## Route and itinerary
1. **Hotel Pickup in Puerto Natales**: A vehicle picks you up from your accommodation in Puerto Natales at 5:45am and drives you to the Pudeto sector of the park in time for the first catamaran crossing.
2. **Catamaran Crossing at Pudeto**: You board the first catamaran of the day at Pudeto and cross Lake Pehoé to the Paine Grande Refuge, with the Cuernos del Paine visible across the water for most of the short crossing.
3. **Trek to the French Valley Trailhead**: From Paine Grande the trail heads toward the mouth of the French Valley, following the river through forest and past glacier moraines before the climb into the valley proper begins.
4. **Hike to the Mirador del Valle Francés**: The trail climbs steadily through the valley to the Mirador del Valle Francés, with 360-degree views of Paine Grande, the French Glacier and the Cuernos del Paine at the top.
5. **Descent Back to Paine Grande**: After time at the lookout, the group retraces the trail back down to Paine Grande Refuge, timed to make the last catamaran of the day.
6. **Return Catamaran and Drive to Puerto Natales**: You catch the 6:00pm catamaran back across Lake Pehoé to Pudeto, where your vehicle is waiting for the drive back to Puerto Natales.

## FAQs
### Is the Lake Pehoé catamaran ticket included in the price?
No. The catamaran ticket is a separate purchase that you need to buy in advance to secure your spot on the crossing.

### How difficult is the French Valley trek?
It is a medium-to-high difficulty hike covering 27 kilometers round trip, so a reasonable level of hiking fitness is required.

### What time does the tour start and end?
Pickup from Puerto Natales is at 5:45am, and the group returns to town around 6:30pm after catching the last catamaran of the day.

### Is the park entrance fee included?
No. The Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee is paid separately, along with the catamaran ticket.

### What happens if I miss the last catamaran back?
The itinerary is timed to make the 6:00pm catamaran, so the guide keeps the group on schedule. Missing it would mean an unplanned overnight at Paine Grande, which is why fitness and pace matter on this trek.

### Is this the same as the Base of the Towers hike?
No, it is a different trail leading to the French Valley rather than the towers themselves. Book the Base of the Towers hike separately if that is your goal.