What to do at Tierra del Fuego National Park

What to do at Tierra del Fuego National Park

If you have come this far, you don’t want to miss visiting Tierra del Fuego National Park, just about 20 km away from the city center of Ushuaia. Although the most common way to get there is by taking a half-day guided tour, you have the possibility of visiting it on your own by taking a shuttle bus or renting a car. This will give you more time to explore the beauty of this park as well as to enjoy some of its trails.

When you enter the park you will be given a map of the different trails. All trails have signposts and it is not necessary to hire a guide as they can be done independently. If you want to spend some days exploring the trails, you have the option to camp inside the national park.

Here is a list of the most popular trekking trails. Notice that depending on the season, some of them might be closed.

• Pampa Alta Trail

You can start this trek from Bahia Ensenada camping or directly through route #3. When you enter the national park you will find a crossroad where you can either go to Bahia Ensenada, Cañadón del Toro or continue Route 3 to reach Lago Acigami or Bahia Lapatahia. Once you pass that crossroad you have another___ kms until you see the Pampa Alta Trail Sign on your right. This trail ends in on the way to Río Pipo. You’ll get a nice panoramic view of Río Pipo Valley.

Difficulty: Medium

Distance: 3.7- 4.9km depending on where you start!

Approximate Time: 2 hours

• Senda Costera

If you are in Bahia Ensenada Zaratiegui, you will find the trailhead on your right side. This trail borders the coastline and is has no significant slope. Beware of the trees’ roots and wet rocks!

Difficulty: Medium

Distance: 8 kms

Approximate Time: 2 hours

 

• Cerro Guanaco Trail

This is an intense trek as it has a significant and continuous slope during most of the trail. You will enjoy a fantastic view of the Fuegian Mountain Range from the top of Cerro Guanaco.

Difficulty: Hard

Distance: 8 kms

Approximate Time: 4 hours from the trailhead to the summit

• Hito XXIV

This is an easy coastal trek with no significant slope. Once you arrive to Lago Acigami (or Roca) you will find the trailhead on the right side of it. During the first meters this trail is the same you will take to go to Cerro Guanaco. You will find a sign that indicates Hito XXIV trail continues to your left.

Difficulty: easy

Distance: 3.5kms

Approximate Time: 1.5 hours

Notice that the approximate time expressed is for the one-way trek.

Inside the national park you can find Centro de Visitantes Alakush (Visitors Center) which has a restaurant, restrooms and a museum where you can find out more information about the history and culture of the ancestors who once inhabited this land.

Alternative Activities

• Rent a bike

There are no rent-a-bike inside the park, so you will have to rent in at the city centre. Bear in mind that the entrance is about 20 km away from the center and from there you have about 20 more, so if you are not an eager cyclist or are not used to it, take into consideration the amount of kilometres and the time you start you journey so you are back in the city with sunlight.

• Canoeing/ Kayak

Some agencies offer travelers the opportunity to kayak or canoe in Lago Acigami (or Lago Roca). If you like adventure activities, this is a great option for you. Bear in mind that you should contact the agency in advance and reserve your spot.

• Camping

Once you pay the entrance fee you are allowed to camp inside the permitted camping areas up to 48 hours. Remember to bring your camping stove/burner and food, as there are no kiosks or minimarkets inside the park.

Entrance Fees [updated May 2018]:

From May 1^st until September 30^th, 2018 – Free of charge for ALL visitors

From October 1st, 2018

General Entrance AR$420

National Residents AR$140

Children

• 6 -12 years old AR$70
• 0 -5 years old AR $0