The Nationwide Parks of Patagonia – a Detailed Information (2022)

Patagonia is a geographical area on the southern finish of South America and belongs to 2 international locations, Argentina and Chile with the unbelievable Andes Mountains separating them.

The huge tip of the continent, is a playground for a spread of various journey actions being lined in glacier fields, mountains, volcanoes, lakes and fjords. Sure by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans the mountains, lakes, fjord, rainforests, glaciers and deserts are protected by nationwide parks in Argentina and Chile.

We spent 90 days exploring the nationwide parks of this glorious area on our first go to to the world. Patagonia is a dream vacation spot in the event you love the outside with a lot to supply adrenaline junkies. Go paddling by way of fjords, white-water rafting, climb spectacular granite partitions, discover the world well-known glaciers (or go off the crushed observe), go fishing, horseback driving or tenting within the mountains. For us exploring the nationwide parks in Patagonia was all about climbing. The area affords an unparalleled array of climbing trails, there are numerous scenic day hikes in Patagonia in addition to difficult multi day climbing adventures.

Attending to Patagonia and exploring the world will be difficult as a result of it’s distant with little services. Journey round right here by a mix of flights, buses, ferries and we did hitchhike the complete Carretera Austral (Chile’s Route 7) for a month!

The nationwide parks of South America’s most southern area continues to be actually pristine. This space is made distinctive by the big variety of landscapes and distinctive wildlife that may be discovered nowhere else on earth. With nationwide parks encompassing gorgeous glaciers, huge Andean peaks, crystal clear alpine lakes, semi-arid tundra this unspoilt space is a nature lovers paradise.

The logistics of visiting Patagonia is already fairly difficult and making it to the ‘off the crushed observe’ areas is just for hardcore adventurers. Many vacationers to Patagonia go to the three most well-known nationwide parks: Torres del Paine (W-trek), Los Glaciares (Perito Moreno glacier) and Tierra del Fuego (Ushuaia). With good infrastructure they aren’t too tough to succeed in and discover.

On this publish I’ll focus on our favourite nationwide parks in Patagonia and logistics to go to them.

We spent two months climbing and tenting in Patagonia throughout that point we had every kind of climate; from sizzling sunny days to hail and storm wind. See our full packing checklist for tenting and trekking in Patagonia.

Nationwide Parks in Chile Patagonia

• Torres del Paine Nationwide Park
• Pumalin Nationwide Park
• Bernardo O’Higgins Nationwide Park
• Queulat Nationwide Park
• Patagonia Nationwide Park

Torres del Paine Nationwide Park

• Title of Nationwide Park: Torres del Paine Nationwide Park
• Highlights: Mirador Las Torres and Gray Glacier
• Location: Magallanes Area, Chile
• Closest City: Puerto Natales (50 miles/80 km)
• Dimension: 448,284 acres (181414 ha)
• Well-liked Actions: Cruise to Glacier Gray, Mountain climbing, Climbing, Kayaking
• Well-liked Mountain climbing Trails: W-trek, O-circuit, Many Day Hikes

Torres del Paine Nationwide Park might be essentially the most well-known nationwide park in Patagonia and will get its title from three huge granite peaks of the Paine mountain vary, The Torres del Paine (Torres in Spanish imply “towers”). The park is really spectacular and seeing the jaw dropping Mirador Las Torres and Gray Glacier is excessive on my high issues to do in South America.

The distinguished park is thought for its dramatic Patagonian panorama, weird rock formation, huge glacier, and quite a few turquoise lakes. Torres del Paine was established in 1959 and has a complete space of 181 400 ha. About 300 000 individuals go to this standard park yearly.

Torres del Paine is a well-known nationwide park with unbelievable surroundings and wonderful climbing trails. Hundreds of individuals come right here for trekking yearly. The park has good infrastructure; well-marked trails, designated campsites and quite a lot of outlets, eating places and inns.

Mountain climbing in Torres del Paine Nationwide Park

The W-trek is the largest attraction within the park and takes hikers to all highlights of the Nationwide Park together with the Mirador Las Torres, Gray Glacier, and Pehoé Lake. The trek is a 100 km/62 miles linear trek that takes 4 or 5 days to finish.

The O-circuit trek is a 120 km/74 miles round climbing route across the Cordillera del Paine in Torres del Paine Nationwide Park and require 7 to eight days to finish. The route consists of the W trek and a distant route by way of the bottom of the park. Having to hold all meals and kit for the complete length of the hike is a part of the problem. I cherished this climbing path, undoubtedly one in all our favourite trails on the earth.

In case you choose shorter hikes you possibly can come to the park as a day customer to Torres del Paine.

Pumalin Nationwide Park

• Title of Nationwide Park: Pumalin Nationwide Park
• Highlights:  the Reñihué and Comau Fjords
• Location: Los Lagos Area, Chile
• Closest City: Chaitén
• Dimension: : 161874 acres (400,000 ha)
• Well-liked Actions: Highway journey -Carretera Austral,  kayak journey -Puerto Varas, Cruise the fjords
• Well-liked Mountain climbing Trails: The Cascadas (waterfalls) path from Rio Gonzalo campsite

Pumalin Nationwide Park positioned on the Carretera Austral in northern Patagonia is a spectacular park with a number of climbing trails and in-nature campsites. This nationwide park was a personal reserve, it belonged to the founding father of North Face gear firm Douglas Tompkins. He donated the park to the Chilean state and it grew to become part of the Nationwide park – the most important park in South America with a complete space of 400 000 ha.

Mountain climbing in Pumalin Nationwide Park

The primary actions in Pumalin Nationwide Park are climbing and observing nature. There are a number of day climbing trails various between 3 km and 28 km in size. The paths all begin close to the campsites, simply select which one you wish to hike and arrange camp within the closest tenting. Within the western a part of the park we loved the Cascadas (waterfalls) path from Rio Gonzalo campsite a pleasant 5,6 km return hike, 3 hours. The Volcano Michinmahuida path from Lago Blanco campsite – 24 km return, 8-10 hours. Within the southern a part of the park we favored the Darwin’s frog path from Carlos Cuevas campsite – 2,5 km, 1h30min.

Drive or Hitchhike the Carretera Austral

The Carretera Austral (Chile’s Route 7) is a 1200 km/745 mi. lengthy gravel highway begining in Puerto Montt, a lovely city within the Lake District in southern Chile and ending in Villa O’Higgins, a small city within the Aysen Area of Chilean Patagonia. The highway goes previous a number of nationwide parks and climbing trails which will be carried out on the way in which. Driving or hitchhiking the Carretera Austral is a well-liked journey, exploring Chilean Patagonia on the way in which. We did loads of wonderful multi day treks hitchhiking and tenting on Route 7 for a month.

Queulat Nationwide Park

• Title of Nationwide Park: Queulat Nationwide Park
• Highlights: Mirrador Ventisquero Colgante (hanging glacier)
• Location: Aysen Area, Chile
• Closest City: Puyuhuapi
• Dimension: 370658 acres (150 000 ha)
• Well-liked Actions: Boat journey on the Laguna Tempanos,
• Well-liked Mountain climbing Trails: Ventisquero Colgante path

The Queulat Nationwide Park is positioned within the Aysen Area of Patagonia providing spectacular surroundings, improbable climbing routes, distinctive wildlife and nice campsites. The massive park spans over 1500 km2 of lovely forest. The highlights to see within the park are the hanging glacier on the Alto Nevado peak and the spectacular turquoise Tempanos Lagoon. Queulat Nationwide Park has a lovely panorama with jagged peaks, glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, and high-altitude lakes. The park hosts a temperate rainforest with number of uncommon crops, wildflowers and distinctive animals.

Mountain climbing in Queulat Nationwide Park

There are 4 climbing trails in Queulat Nationwide Park starting from a 20 minute stroll to a difficult 5 hour hike. Don’t miss the Ventisquero Colgante path. The path begins on the automotive park of the Ventisquero entrance of Queulat Nationwide Park and finishes on the spectacular Mirrador Ventisquero Colgante viewpoint, a panoramic view of the attractive hanging glacier. It’s a comparatively straightforward 5.6 km hike taking to 2h30 min to three hours to finish the hike.

Patagonia Nationwide Park (Parque Patagonia)

• Title of Nationwide Park: Patagonia Nationwide Park
• Location: Chile, Aysén area
• Closest City: Cochrane
• Dimension: 441577 acres (178700 ha)
• Well-liked Mountain climbing Trails: Lagunas Altas “Excessive Lagoons” path

For a brand new nationwide park to open these days is a uncommon factor. The model new Patagonia Nationwide Park, in southern Chile’s Aysen area, opened in 2018. Kristine Tompkins, American conservationist and president of Tompkins Conservation purchased and donated land to ascertain this park to the Chilean authorities. Kristine is widow of Douglas Tompkins founding father of ‘The North Face’ out of doors model, in addition they donated the land to ascertain Pumalin Nationwide Park.

Parque Patagonia (over 700,000 acres) is positioned on the foot of the Andes mountains, across the Chacabuco River Valley. The spectacular park affords a singular mixture of plains, wetlands and mountains, with loads of water coming from glacier fed streams and huge lakes. Internet hosting an enormous number of wildlife together with; guanaco, the uncommon huemul deer, puma (cougars), Andean condors and a big number of birds the park is a bucket checklist merchandise for nature lovers.

Mountain climbing in Patagonia Nationwide Park

With quite a lot of stunning landscapes and wealthy variety in wildlife this huge park is stuffed with wonderful climbing trails starting from quick walks to multi-day treks.

The preferred path within the park is the 23 km Lagunas Altas “Excessive Lagoons” path with expansive views of the Chacabuco Valley, Jeinemeni, and the northern Patagonian ice area. Put together for an 8 hour hike beginning on the trailhead on the Westwind Tenting web site (close to the customer heart). For a difficult multi day hike in Parque Patagonia attempt the 96 km (60 miles) Avilés to Jeinemeni trek. Beginning on the Casa Piedra Campground this path from Chacabuco Valley to Jeinemeni Nationwide Reserve is a real remoted journey by way of spectacular landscapes.

Nationwide Parks in Argentina Patagonia

• Los Glaciares Nationwide Park (El Chalten and Perito Moreno)
• Tierra del Fuigo
• Nahuel Huapi Nationwide Park, San Carlos de Bariloche

Los Glaciares Nationwide Park

Perito Moreno and El Chalten are two wonderful locations to go to, each positioned in Los Glaciares Nationwide Park

• Title of Nationwide Park: Los Glaciares Nationwide Park
• Highlights: viewpoint of Mount Fitz Roy, Perito Moreno Glacier
• Location: Santa Cruz, Argentina
• Closest City: El Chalten, El Calafate (Perito Moreno)
• Dimension: 1796275 acres (726 927 ha)
• Well-liked Actions: Glacier hike Perito Moreno, hike and camp in El Chalten
• Well-liked Mountain climbing Trails: Laguna De los Tres (Fitz Roy path, boardwalks Perito Moreno)

El Chalten (Los Glaciares Nationwide Park)

El Chalten is a village positioned in Los Glaciares Nationwide Park in Argentina. The settlement could be very standard for strolling and climbing and lots of lengthy distance cyclists and overlanders keep right here. Known as the trekking capital of Argentina Patagonia there are spectacular climbing trails for all health ranges. There are lots of campsites in El Chalten that’s standard to remain and an ideal place to fulfill different vacationers and out of doors lovers.

Trekking in El Chalten

The highlights of climbing in El Chalten are the wonderful views of the 2 most outstanding peaks, Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre

The Fitz Roy path (Laguna De los Tres) is the most well-liked day hike you are able to do from El Chalten and is an iconic hike in Patagonia. This 21 kilometer path to the point of view of Mount Fitz Roy towering above the glacial lakes will be carried out over two days with campsites alongside the way in which within the park.

Perito Moreno (Los Glaciares Nationwide Park)

Perito Moreno is the largest glacier on the earth accessible by land and probably the most spectacular websites in South America. Visiting Perito Moreno might be the the closest you’re going to get to a glacier in Patagonia.

A collection of boardwalks carry you inside just a few hundred meters of this unbelievable glacier. One of many highlights is to see big chunks break off the face of the glacier and falling into the water with an unbelievable splash. The best option to go to this pure marvel is to take a Perito Moreno Tour from El Calafate.

Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park

• Title of Nationwide Park: Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park
• Location: Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina
• Closest City: Ushuaia
• Dimension: acres 155676 acres (63 000 ha)
• Well-liked Actions: climbing, snowboarding, and crusing
• Well-liked Mountain climbing Trails: Laguna Esmeralda

Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park (Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego) is the southernmost nationwide park in Argentina. The park is thought for subantarctic forest and coastal surroundings. It’s positioned close to essentially the most southern metropolis on the earth, Ushuaia.

Tierra del Fuego interprets to Land of Hearth and is also referred to as ‘The Finish of the World. Shared by Argentina and Chile, that is an archipelago comprising a number of islands and covers an space of about 70,000 sq. kilometers. The archipelago affords improbable climbing, snowboarding, and crusing.

Mountain climbing in Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park

Mountain climbing within the subantarctic forest of the rugged Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park there are a number of trails, quick day hikes to difficult multi day treks, with views over snowcapped mountains, forests, lakes, lagoons and seashores. Laguna Esmeralda might be the most well-liked of the day hikes in Ushuaia. It takes 4 to five hours to finish this 9 km hike. For a multi day hike think about the Torres del Río Chico Basecamp Trek, a difficult 3-day trek from sea-level close to Ushuaia as much as a excessive Andean plateau.

Nahuel Huapi Nationwide Park

Title of Nationwide Park: Nahuel Huapi Nationwide Park
Location: Lake District Argentina
Closest City: Bariloche
Dimension: 1759999 acres
Well-liked Actions: Mountain climbing, swimming, kayak, standup paddleboard, canoe, fly fishing
Well-liked Mountain climbing Trails: Refugion Frey

Positioned close to the town of Bariloche in Argentina’s Lake District, Nahuel Huapi was established in 1934 and is the oldest and second-largest nationwide park in Argentina. The park is 1759999 acres (712246 ha) and is roofed in lakes and forest. Water actions like swimming, kayak, standup paddleboard, canoe, fly fishing and crusing could be very standard in Nahuel Huapi with greater than 60 lakes and lagoons. 

Mountain climbing in Nahuel Huapi Nationwide Park

There are many day hikes in Nahuel Huapi Nationwide Park. Two climbing routes to Refugio Frey are standard day hikes, each rated as tough hikes.  The trailheads for Refugio Frey are Cerro Cathedral 11.6 miles (19 km) a technique or Villa Los Coihues 7.3 miles (12 km) a technique.

Most of the huts in Nahuel Huapi Nationwide park are related by a collection of trails making it doable to do multi day hikes and keep over within the huts. Mountain climbing first to Refugion Frey after which proceed to different huts a number of hut to hut climbing choices are doable.

The sturdy half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that might be completely happy to spend all his life within the water diving, browsing and spearfishing however typically has to compromise with Alya and go climbing as a substitute. Campbell is chargeable for all our marine adventures and following them with write-ups. He loves touring, braai (BBQ in South Africa), purple wine and spending the day in a wetsuit.