By Claudia Squadrito, trekking guide and former park ranger in the Magallanes Region.

Quick answer: Trekking poles are not required for the W Trek, but they are highly recommended for long hiking days, downhill sections, muddy trails, and uneven terrain. In September and October, melting snow and ice can also make microspikes necessary. Both can be rented in Puerto Natales before entering the park.

Overview: The Quick Answer

Trekking poles are not required for the W Trek, but they are highly recommended for long hiking days, downhill sections, muddy trails, and uneven terrain. During September and October, you may also encounter melting snow, ice, and slippery sections, so microspikes may be necessary depending on the trail conditions.

Every season, I meet travellers who arrive in Puerto Natales convinced they will not need trekking poles in Torres del Paine. Some say they are in great shape, others have never used poles before, and many simply think they will be annoying to carry.

Then they hike to Base Torres, spend several hours coming back down, and change their minds.

It Is Not Just About the Climb

But very often, it is the downhill sections that really take their toll.

After several hours of hiking, your legs are already tired, and every step downhill adds more impact to your knees. Trekking poles help distribute some of that effort between your arms and legs, especially when the trail is wet, loose, or uneven.

They will not take away the tiredness, but they can make a big difference at the end of the day.

They also give you extra stability on muddy trails, loose rocks, and windy sections. And if you know Torres del Paine, you know the wind is never a small detail.

“I’ve Never Used Trekking Poles”

This is probably one of the things I hear most often.

And that is completely fine. Nobody is born knowing how to use them.

At first, they may feel a little strange, as though you are carrying something extra that keeps getting in the way. But after a while, you find your rhythm and begin using them naturally.

You do not need to put all your weight on them or walk as if you were skiing. Simply let them move with you and use them whenever the terrain calls for extra support.

On easier sections, you can fold them or attach them to your backpack. On the downhill sections, however, you will probably be very glad you brought them.

That is why I always say the same thing: it is better to carry them and not need them the whole time than to suddenly need them when you are already inside the park without them.

September and October Are Different

September and October mark the end of winter in Patagonia. The days begin to get longer and the snow starts to melt, but that does not mean the trails are completely dry.

Depending on the weather, you may find sections with mud, water, or leftover snow on higher parts of the trail.

During these months, trekking poles become even more useful because they provide extra points of support. This is also when many people ask us about renting microspikes.

Microspikes are not always required, but they can make a real difference on icy or compacted snow sections, especially early in the morning when the ground is still frozen.

When conditions require them, they give you much better grip and confidence with every step.

On ice or hard-packed snow, microspikes provide traction that regular hiking soles simply cannot offer.

Are Trekking Poles Required for the W Trek?

No, trekking poles are not required.

You can complete the W Trek without them, and many people do. But that does not mean they will not make a difference in how your body feels along the way.

For me, trekking poles are one of those simple pieces of equipment that quietly do their job without you noticing, until the moment you do not have them.

I especially recommend them if you are not used to walking long distances, if you have any knee sensitivity, or if you are travelling during September or October, when trail conditions are less predictable.

Even experienced hikers can benefit from them.

I have seen very fit, well-prepared hikers finish a long descent wishing they had brought a pair.

My Recommendation

You do not need to buy trekking poles just for this trip or carry them all the way from home if you are unlikely to use them again.

You can rent them in Puerto Natales, along with microspikes if you are travelling during a season when they may be useful.

At Natales Outdoor, we rent both trekking poles and microspikes, already checked and ready to use before you start your trek.

Not because we want to fill your backpack with extra gear.

But because after years of working in Torres del Paine, I know that knees that do not hurt today are still worth looking after.