If you’re like me, mountaineering round Patagonia has been in your bucket listing for some time nevertheless it’s a LOT of (very excessive!) floor to cowl. How are you aware the place to start out? I definitely solely had Puerto Natales in thoughts for the famed W and O Treks, however my analysis turned up a lot extra choices. In Argentina alone, 4 major locations saved popping up: Bariloche, El Calafate, El Chaltén and Ushuaia. To assist plan your trek, right here’s my tackle who they go well with, what they provide, and issues to bear in mind.
San Carlos de Bariloche
If you wish to fly to northern Patagonia, you’ll most probably land in San Carlos de Bariloche, which everybody shortens to Bariloche. It’s a serious vacation spot for individuals who wish to ski within the Patagonian mountains. The slopes are plenty of enjoyable with views that I’d say are too distracting to ski safely, however then I’m simply distracted. The ski season ends across the starting of October, relying on climate, after which us hikers reign till May. But for those who actually like winter mountaineering, there are some trails open 12 months spherical, so go for it!
Since Bariloche is within the Lake District, many hikers look ahead to the a number of glacial lakes within the space, equivalent to Lago Nahuel Huapi. They are all so crisp, clear, and reflective that you just may end up caught in place observing all of them day (okay, perhaps that’s simply me). But add within the recent forest air and beautiful snow-peaked mountains, and also you’ll be able to arrange camp on any path you are taking. I imply, we’re speaking about Bob Ross work in actual life right here. Another bonus? Bariloche is legendary for its chocolate, so you should definitely get some for snacking.
Pro tip: Lago Perito Moreno is right here too however don’t be fooled. If you wish to see Glaciar Perito Moreno then it’s important to head to El Calafate. (Wow! What a segue.)
El Calafate
Located at a halfway level alongside the Patagonia vary (and often the flight stopover to Ushuaia) is El Calafate. Admittedly, there isn’t a lot to do right here nevertheless it’s near Glaciar Perito Moreno, one of the essential glaciers in Argentine Patagonia. The glacier is huge and seeing its colors in particular person doesn’t evaluate to pictures. Why is it so essential? Well, it’s essentially the most accessible for drinkable water, analysis, and tourism.
Inside Parque Nacional Los Glaciares there are three major exercise choices: a glacier trek, boat tour, and boardwalk exploration. On the primary, you traverse the glacier itself, uncover its nooks and crannies, and even strive the ice in a drink! I wished to do that one nevertheless it was full for the subsequent two weeks so you should definitely ebook prematurely. On the second, you board a snug catamaran to cruise alongside the ice wall. I took this one and actually loved it. You don’t get to be on the ice itself however you do get shut sufficient to totally respect the enormity of this pure magnificence. And the third is what comes with the park entrance charge. Boardwalks run alongside the cliffs throughout from the glacier, so you possibly can see the Perito Moreno Glacier in all of its blue and white splendour. If you’re actually fortunate, you may hear it crack and perhaps even calve and break into icebergs.
Back in El Calafate, you possibly can stroll alongside the promenade that traces a lot of Lago Argentina (the most important freshwater lake in Argentina), which is only some blocks off the principle road. It’s stunning to look out and see a scattering of icebergs and the mountains within the distance. If it’s an particularly clear day you possibly can even see a number of the Chilean mountain peaks.
If you observe the boardwalk to the east, you’ll finally attain Reserva Laguna Nimez the place you possibly can stroll round a marsh-like space to identify birds. As summer season approaches you possibly can see Chilean Flamingos, in addition to Southern Lapwings, Austral Negritos, Chimangos, and over 40 extra hen varieties. You’ll additionally discover tons of Upland Geese making the funniest sounds! You’ll hear them earlier than you see them up within the timber alongside the principle road. Honestly, you’ll suppose somebody’s blowing a noisemaker.
Got your coronary heart set on free hikes? You’re nonetheless in the correct spot as most individuals use El Calafate because the transit metropolis to get to El Chaltén.
El Chaltén
Welcome to hiker’s heaven with quite a few treks you possibly can take from city with out park entrance charges. If you look on an app like AllTrails you’ll discover about seventeen. Book a taxi to only exterior of city and your choices get even better. Of course, one of many large highlights right here is mountaineering to view Monte Fitz Roy together with the gorgeous Laguna de los Tres. You might expertise all 4 seasons on the trek however each step is price it.
The subsequent standard free trek is to Laguna Torre and the view of its corresponding Cerro Torre. Both of those treks are situated throughout the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Yes, the identical one I discussed for El Calafate, this park is gigantic, we’re speaking 600,000 hectares. My recommendation: watch out for robust winds. You may get your hat blown off whereas admiring the views.
A beauty of the hikes round El Chaltén is that irrespective of your mountaineering degree, there are trails for you. Some will be multi-day treks for these adventurers outfitted with well-oiled joints, and others are simpler day treks for chill surroundings buffs. Whatever your degree of expertise, you’ll get to absorb unforgettable views of Patagonia.
Ushuaia
And that brings us to Ushuaia, dubbed the “End of the World”. Disclaimer right here: I fell in love with this city so my descriptions could also be a bit extra vibrant than the others. Wherever you look, there are beautiful mountain views plus town sits proper on the Beagle Channel. “But Dina,” you say, “the other cities also have mountains and water.” They do nevertheless it’s all SO a lot nearer in Ushuaia. You really feel such as you’re within the mountain vary whereas nonetheless within the metropolis.
There are a number of hikes close to city or you possibly can take an area bus (or tour) to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Lots of people choose to stroll to the top of Highway 3 to say they went to the very finish of South America because it’s the southernmost level by highway on the continent. It’s very flat and do-able by all mobility ranges. One factor to notice: when selecting your hikes, first test that they’re open. I needed to forgo a more difficult trek after it closed for climate and as a substitute hiked to the border of Argentina and Chile.
In normal, Argentina is an effective price range nation to go to however as a result of it’s remoted Ushuaia is a bit costly. I’d return in a heartbeat so it’s price each peso. On one hike it began snowing on my approach up and it was so quiet and magical. Another bonus, many Antarctica excursions launch from right here (together with G Adventures) so after mountaineering your coronary heart out, you possibly can hop on a ship to discover the land of ice and penguins.
Puerto Natales, Chile
And final however not least, Chile! I can’t omit the one metropolis each Patagonian hiker is aware of. Pretty a lot everybody in Puerto Natales is right here for the W or O Trek in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine. These treks take wherever from three to eight days relying on how a lot you wish to deal with in a day. But if that’s not your factor, there’s a ton of day treks like the favored Base of Torres del Paine, which is part of the W circuit.
Although Puerto Natales isn’t the closest metropolis to the park, the lodging are less expensive so it’s the place you’ll discover price range hikers like myself. I’m very happy to take an area bus to the park entrance. (One notice: make sure that to have money available in Patagonia for entrance charges as not all take playing cards.) Puerto Natales can be proper on the Seno Última Esperanza so you possibly can benefit from the sound of water whereas searching on the mountains. The metropolis may be very peaceable however the winds are robust so, as soon as once more, maintain onto your hat!
Of all of the mountaineering hubs, Puerto Natales leans towards extra succesful hikers as there are only a few straightforward paths. The terrain doesn’t lend itself to all mobility ranges however there are nonetheless non-hiking choices, like a bus across the park or a ship tour to see glaciers. You may even ebook a ferry that sails for 5 days alongside the fjords of Patagonia between Puerto Natales and Puerto Montt. But for hikers, you gained’t be upset so long as you put together to have your socks blown off on the high. Have I discussed the wind but? On one hike it was like I used to be standing in entrance of an enormous hair dryer for hours!
Overall, for those who actually wish to go off the crushed monitor you possibly can try a number of the smaller cities, however in a spot as large as Patagonia typically it’s simpler to stay with what’s well-known and works. My favorite was Ushuaia however you possibly can’t actually go mistaken so get on the market, hike to your coronary heart’s content material, and benefit from the mountain-and-lake-filled views.
Getting there
Ready to succeed in new heights in Patagonia like Dina? We’ve bought a couple of advisable excursions the place the logistics, lodging, and trekking enjoyable is already deliberate out for you.
Hike Patagonia in Depth
Torres del Paine – Full Circuit Trek
Patagonia Hiking