Day walks outside Ushuaia

Go walking for a day among the wild mountains and lakes inland from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego. 

Many visitors only set foot on Tierra del Fuego, at South America’s pointy tip, in order to board a cruise ship heading for Antarctica, maybe spending just a day in Ushuaia, with time to explore the duty-free shops and quirky museums of this busy frontier-feel little port, which has a dramatic mountain-foot setting, We think they are missing so much – the island is a superb destination in itself.

So why not spend a few days here to discover the island’s rugged hinterland? You don’t have to go far out of town to be in a virtually untrodden wilderness. The landscape covered by weather-resistant beech forests pitted with sapphire lakes, treacherous peat bogs concealed by tufty grass, deeply embedded streams and moss-mantled fallen trees creates an ambiance of undisturbed nature. Few people live inland; some of the ice-spiked peaks are as yet unclimbed and unnamed; there are few proper trails – hikers follow paths forged by guanacos.

Choose between several guided hikes and canoe rides along the coast or inland to find hidden lagoons. You may spot shy wildlife, but otherwise, in these beautiful unspoilt surroundings you will feel utterly alone and privileged.

Activity Rating: easy