A Guide to Hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park
Our favorite activity in Ushuaia was hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Here is our travel guide on the best hikes in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Includes top trails, how to get there, where to stay, and what to pack.
Tierra del Fuego National Park near Ushuaia in Argentina features some of the best hikes in this remote part of the world, and the unspoiled beauty is the reason why all travelers to Patagonia should have this place high on the list of must-visit places.
Tierra del Fuego alias the Land of Fire, is one of the southernmost national parks in the world.
Its pristine nature, towering mountains, fantastic views, splendid lakes, thick forests, and informative boards of indigenous people's way of life are the main reasons to visit this destination in Argentinian Patagonia.
The best way to explore this part of Patagonia is for sure by hiking, and the good news is that it is not hard to get to Tierra del Fuego National Park from Ushuaia and choose one of its many walking paths and hiking trails.
There are quite many hikes to choose from for every type of traveler.
The most avid hikers can even spend a night in the park to go deeper and get an even more authentic experience not many visitors get.
There are certainly many things to do in Tierra del Fuego National Park, but as hiking is one of our favorite ways how to get around, in this travel guide, we would like to inspire you to explore at least one of its trails.
We know that creating a perfect Patagonia itinerary is not easy because of the distances and winding roads (and also many top attractions).
But believe us, it is worth it to include Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego in your plans, especially if you want to avoid crowds on your trip.
It is definitely worth it, and what's more important, every type of traveler can find the alternative that suits him best in terms of difficulty and experience requirements.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
The national park itself and overall Ushuaia, (the End of the World area as Ushuaia is often called for marketing purposes), is outstanding because of the superb nature and activities and the captivating stories about the native people.
It is hard to imagine people were able to live (not only survive but thrive) in such a sublime but harsh and hostile environment.
We visited Tierra del Fuego during summertime in January, and it was pretty challenging to hike in the park when the strong and cold winds blew.
The native inhabitants were well-acclimatized for the cold weather, and they knew how to use the fire well.
This is also why Tierra del Fuego got its name, which means Land of Fire. Because explorers passing by on a boat around the continent's southernmost tip saw so many fires.
We could go on and on about the toughness of the Yaghan tribe, but this post is about the hiking options in the national park.
Tierra del Fuego is the land of extremes, so come well-prepared, and you will enjoy one of the most intense days in your life.
How to Get to Tierra del Fuego From Ushuaia
Tierra del Fuego is only 20 minutes drive from Ushuaia, and it is pretty easy to get there, even when you do not have your own car.
This is definitely an advantage when we compare the transport situation for independent travelers with other places in Patagonia.
Although Ushuaia is not a similarly popular tourist destination like, for example, El Chalten, which is known as Argentina's hiking capital, the location is a starting point for visitors traveling to Antarctica.
And the destination management tries to offer the best services to everyone who has traveled so far south, and we must give them a credit they are very good at it.
There are three main ways of getting from Ushuaia to Tierra del Fuego National Park when we do not count taking a taxi, which is certainly possible but not very economical.
Car
Have you road-tripped through Patagonia, all the way from Carretera Austral to Ushuaia? Awesome.
Keep your car for a bit longer, and drive to Tierra del Fuego.
There are several parking lots where you can leave your car, depending on which trail you'll decide to take.
It is also possible to rental car in Ushuaia only for a day, if you want to be absolutely independent, or if you know exploring the park will take you longer, and you won't make it on time for the last shuttle bus.
On the other hand, traveling to Tierra del Fuego by public transport is pretty straightforward, and from our point of view, renting a car for a day if you plan on hiking does not make much sense.
Shuttle Bus
There are frequent shuttle buses between Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego National Park, approximately every hour or every two hours, depending on the season (check out the current schedule in the information center).
It is not possible to book the shuttle in advance, but we caught the first bus at 8 AM and did not have the slightest problem to get a seat.
The round ticket cost 550 ARS per person.
There is only one place where it is possible to catch the shuttle - head to Ushuaia's main bus station, on the corner of Avenida Maipu and Juana Genoveva Fadul Sur.
Here you will see a large parking lot, and at the far end of the lot, you will see parked white vans.
Wait here until the driver shows up. There are three official stops in the park, get off on the stop which is the closest to your selected trail.
Always ask the driver what time he will be waiting on the stop to get back to Ushuaia.
Tierra del Fuego Tours
If you are not much of an independent traveler or simply want to visit the park without gathering any information, you can take a guided Tierra del Fuego Hike and Canoe Tour.
The tour includes transport, and you will walk some of the pre-selected hiking trails.
This is actually an advantage of this park, which is situated so close to Ushuaia, which is the tourist center of the area and offers all the necessary infrastructure.
Tierra del Fuego and Train Ride Tour is another popular way to see the national park.
Entrance Fee
The economy in Argentina is at the moment very unstable, and prices change periodically depending largely on the current inflation.
That's why we advise you always check up-to-date prices.
The most important information is that you need to pay an entrance fee to enter Tierra del Fuego National Park; it is not free.
Even though we are budget travelers, we did not mind paying for visiting national parks in Patagonia at all because they are stunning.
What we did not like, though, or what we did not find fair, was the big difference between entry fees for locals and foreigners, but that's a common thing in South America.
At the time of our visit, we paid the entrance fee to Tierra del Fuego National Park 560 ARS per person which was equivalent to almost $7.
The ticket is valid for two days, but as we had only one day before our flight to Buenos Aires, we could not use the ticket for two consecutive days.
We listed the hike we did among one of the best day hikes in Patagonia we’ve experienced, so the money was well spent.
Best Hikes in Tierra del Fuego National Park
There are several top hiking trails available within Tierra del Fuego National Park. It is only up to you, your itinerary and fitness level, which one you will decide to choose.
We opted for Cerro Guanaco Trail, which is one of the more challenging ones, but you do not need to climb hills to be rewarded by stunning scenery.
Make sure that before you set off, you read our Patagonia packing list because the weather in the park can be rough and changes literally within seconds.
Cerro Guanaco Hike
We believe that Cerro Guanaco is the best day hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park.
The hike we chose for our last day in Patagonia started near the restaurant and the main information center in the park.
The shuttle bus from Ushuaia dropped us off there, and the driver also told us what time he would arrive on the parking lot again.
We signed-in in the information center for our safety and started the hike.
The trail at the beginning leads around Roca Lake, and then it turns to the forest and climbs uphill pretty steeply without any extensive views.
Later we reached a viewpoint, and from there, it was not far to an open meadow.
From this point, we could see the rocky trail climbing steeply ahead of us.
This part of the hike is quite challenging as some sections ascend really steeply.
We went slowly and steadily, and in approximately an hour, we reached the top, from where we had outstanding views of the mountains, Beagle Channel, and the sea.
Cerro Guanaco is an out and back, so we had to return the same way.
Overall, the hike took us four hours as we wanted to catch the first bus to Ushuaia, but be ready to spend approximately six hours on the trail if you prefer to hike at a more leisurely pace.
Pampa Alta Trail
Pretty easy, five kilometers long trail leads first in the woods alongside Rio Pipo and several waterfalls and later offers spectacular views of Beagle Channel.
This is a great alternative for those of you who want to get a glimpse of the stunning scenery but do not want to push hard.
Coastal Trail
Costera Hike is also not very demanding, and it is a great option for every traveler looking for a peaceful time spent in nature.
The hike is flat almost all the time and leads around Ensenada Bay and Lapataia Bay.
Except for exceptional views of the water surface, you will have a chance to closely explore different trees and bushes native to this part of Argentinian Patagonia.
Hito XXIV
The medium-difficult trail will take you to the borders with Chile. The borderline is marked with a small monument. You don't need to bring your passport when doing this walk.
The hike leads around Lake Roca and in the forest for quite a large part of the hike.
Hikes in Lapataia Sector
The area near Lapataia Bay and Lapataia River is home to some shorter but no less beautiful hikes.
As all the trails naturally lead around the water, you can spot many birds here. It is possible to walk more trails in the sector and extend your time in the park.
The most popular trails in Lapataia Sector are Paseo de la Isla, Laguna Negra, Lapataia Mirador, Del Turbal, La Baliza Trail or Castorera.
These trails are suitable for elderly visitors and families with kids.
Vinciguerra Glacier
If you want to spice up your time in Ushuaia and do ice trekking, you must head a bit outside Tierra del Fuego Park to Cerro Vinciguerra.
The trail is not well-marked, and it is not advised to attempt the ascend independently unless you have the required experience.
It is possible to reserve a guided Vinciguerra Glacier Tour.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Where to Stay in Ushuaia
There is no accommodation in Tierra del Fuego National Park, so you need to stay in Ushuaia.
Hotels and hostels in Ushuaia are a bit more expensive than other accommodations in Argentina, but it is simply the toll of being at the end of the world.
Ushuaia is a great place to base yourself before hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park and also for restocking supplies.
During summer, the capacity fills up quickly, so make your reservation well ahead.
Here's a list of the best hotels in Ushuaia.
Budget | Oshovia Hostel - Well-run hostel which offers both dormitories and private rooms, is newly renovated and has awesome wifi and breakfast.
Mid-range | Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel - Located a bit outside of Ushuaia, Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel is perfect for travelers looking for serenity and amazing views over Beagle Channel. Free parking is included.
Luxury | Arakur Ushuaia Resort and Spa - The most special hotel in Ushuaia has an impressive outside spa, well-appointed rooms, and although the hotel is a bit out of the city center, it is not a disadvantage as they run a free shuttle to Ushuaia.
How to Get to Ushuaia
There are several ways to get to Ushuaia.
Car
In case you travel by car from Torres del Paine, you should easily make it to Ushuaia in only one day, the same goes when you travel by public transport.
Bus
Buses are pretty comfortable, but you can expect winding roads, and you will have to switch to a ferry one time, which will take you across the water.
We traveled by bus from Puerto Natales, a base for visiting Torres Del Paine National Park, but the buses also frequently leave Punta Arenas.
Plane
Ushuaia also has an airport, for all of you short on time. We traveled from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires by plane and were able to find pretty cheap tickets last minute.
We stayed on the outskirt of the city, so we were able to walk to the airport, but you can reserve a Ushuaia Airport Transfer in advance.
When to Go
The weather in Patagonia can be pretty harsh, no matter what time in the year you decide on visiting.
Generally, the best time to travel to Tierra del Fuego (and Ushuaia in general) is between November and March when the temperatures are higher, and trails are free of snow.
Be prepared that it can rain almost anytime and don't get us to talk about the never-ceasing strong winds.
What to Pack
It is essential to come well-prepared and pack quality gear for even a short, half-day hike, and it is a no-brainer in case you want to spend in the park longer time.
Here are five must-have items in your backpack for a day hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Hiking Boots | A good and broken in hiking boots are must-have as trails in the park can be often uneven or muddy.
Daypack | Patagonia can show you all four seasons in only one day - do not underestimate it. A comfortable daypack where you can keep all your essential items is a must-have.
Rain Jacket | We were really surprised how the wind is strong in this part of the world. Windproof rain jacket is definitely another must-have item on your list.
Sunscreen | Even when it is cloudy, the strong sun is still up there.
Down Jacket | We found down jacket essential on every hike in Patagonia. Always when we took a break, we put on down jacket not to get cold so easily.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
