Punta Arenas
Cabo Froward
Brunswick península
- Extension
52 miles. - Elevation
At the sea level. - Available from
October to April. - Duration
5 days. - Required
personal trekking gear + sleeping bag. - Important
Recommended travel insurance.
Overview
¡This is a hike designed for true adventurers! Cabo Froward is the southernmost point of the continental part of America and getting there is not easy. This expedition will take us through tangled forests, along rocky coastlines, crossing bogs and rivers, in a journey as demanding physically as it is mentally. During the trek, we will constantly climb and descend, get wet and stay wet, facing Patagonia in its purest state.
Beyond the challenges, this excursion is deeply rewarding. The hike progresses along the Strait of Magellan to the south, venturing into one of the most remote areas where it is possible to experience true southern Patagonia. Along the way, there are impressive views towards Tierra del Fuego and Isla Dawson. At times, the experience may be accompanied by dolphins, whales, penguins, sea lions, and a variety of native birds.
Book your expedition to Cabo Froward and experience one of the most extreme and authentic adventures in southern Chile.
Itinerary
Day 1: Begin your hike along the shores of the Magellan Strait.
Puerto Natales – Rio Yumbel
After an early breakfast you will depart with your guide by bus from Puerto Natales to the neighboring city of Punta Arenas, about a 3-hour bus ride. Once you arrive you will meet your transfer which will take you to the trailhead about an hour south of city. Today’s hike starts with a stretch along the rocky shores of the Magellan Strait. After about 1.5 hours of hiking you’ll reach the former maritime museum and San Isidro Lighthouse. After a short break you will continue hiking for about 2.5 hours, winding in and out of the Austral forest and the rocky beach until you reach the first night’s camp at Rio Yumbel. Here you’ll find an old abandoned house, once a settler’s home is now a shelter to adventurers from all over the world.
*In case you want to start the trip from Punta Arenas we can also organize it.
Day 2: Challenge yourself in difficult terrain.
Rio Yumbel – Rio Nodales
Today will be a day of challenges! After breakfast and packing up camp you will begin your hike. Because you will be crossing a major river today, your start time will vary depending on the day’s tide schedule, ideally hitting the river at low tide. You begin the day by hiking through Patagonia’s only Cyprus forest. At the top you may take a rest with views of the Nassau Islands as well as the Dawson and Darwin mountain ranges. Continuing on you move forward into the turba or peat bog, a most challenging type of terrain for hiking. Hiking though the turba is wet, mushy, and takes a lot of energy! After a stop for lunch you will prepare for the most exciting part of the day, a river crossing. Depending on the tide you may need to walk with your bag over your head, or you may need to swim! Regardless of the tide, the unpredictability of the Patagonian weather, and it’s strong winds, are sure to make this part of the day an adventure. After crossing the river and drying off you’ll move forward for another few hours along the beach, climbing over rocks and boulders to reach your camp, where you will stay for the next two nights.
Day 3: Hike to the famous Southern Cross!
Cabo Froward
Today’s adventure will be an attempt to reach the Southernmost point on mainland America. You will leave your camp behind for the day and hike with only daypacks, but not without first tying up all your belongings in the trees! Foxes are known to come by looking for leftover food if you aren’t careful. You start today with yet another river crossing and a lengthy hike across the rocky coast, at times winding in through the forest where the tide has taken over the coastline. Along the way you will get your first views of the metal cross, Cruz de los Mares, or cross of the seas. The final ascent to the cross is a grueling 45 minutes of uphill hiking, the final portion along a steep set of metal stairs. At the top you will see where the seas meet, Atlantic and Pacific unite. After taking in the breathtaking views, you will take your great feeling of accomplishment back to camp, returning the same way that you came.
Day 4: Backtrack along the Magellan Strait
Rio Nodales – Rio Yumbel
Today after breaking down camp you will return along the trail that brought you here, either staying in Rio Yumbel or another location, depending on the weather, the tide, the group and your guide. You will backtrack through the obstacles, climbing rock faces, crossing rivers, and traversing the turba.
Day 5: Return to Puerto Natales
After a few hours hike out of the winding forests and long rocky beaches you will find yourself amazed and what you have accomplished and happy to be welcomed back into the warmth of society. Once you emerge from the trailhead your transfer will be waiting to take you back to Punta Arenas where you will catch a bus back to Puerto Natales.
Included
- 5 Guided days of hiking to Cabo Froward.
- Porter(s) for 5 days of hiking (carry food, cooking gear and camping gear).
- Shared tent (2 per tent).
- Sleeping mat.
- Trip briefing with guide day before trip starts (18:00).
- Breakfast on days 2-5.
- Lunch on days 1-5.
- Dinner on days 1-4.
- Bus to and from Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.
- Transfer to and from Punta Arenas and Cabo Froward trailhead.
FAQs
Includes specialized guide, porters for equipment and food transport, shared tent, sleeping pad, full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to itinerary), pre-trekking briefing, transfers from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas and to the start of the trek, and return at the end.
This trekking is of high difficulty and is recommended for people with good physical condition and previous experience in demanding hikes. It is necessary to bring trekking equipment and a sleeping bag.
The trek is available from October to April, when the weather conditions are more favorable in southern Patagonia.
The expedition can start from Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas. Once you book, we will coordinate with you the exact meeting point and the transfer to the start of the route.
The tour offers views of the Strait of Magellan, Dawson Island, and Tierra del Fuego. It is possible to observe dolphins, whales, penguins, sea lions, and Patagonian birds, as well as cross forests, rocky beaches, peat bogs, and rivers.
Yes, we highly recommend hiring a travel insurance that covers trekking activities, as the route presents physical challenges and changing weather conditions.
You can book directly on our website. After confirming your reservation, we will contact you to define logistical details such as the starting point and personalized recommendations according to your level of experience.
Starting place
This excursion can depart from Puerto Natales, as indicated in the itinerary, or from Punta Arenas. Once the purchase of the tour is made, we will contact you to define the departure of the transfer that takes us to the beginning of the trail.
Excursion also known by the following names
- • Trekking to Cabo Froward, the southernmost point of South America.
- • Several days excursion through Cabo Froward in Chilean Patagonia.
- • Guided journey to Cape Froward overlooking the Strait of Magellan.
- • Adventure tour to Cabo Froward with forest and beach landscapes.
- • Expedition hike to Cabo Froward from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales.
- • Trekking route to the end of the continent at Cape Froward.
- • Natural expedition to Cape Froward with Patagonian fauna.
- • Hiking tour along the remote coast of Cape Froward.
- • Multiday adventure in Cabo Froward among forests and peat bogs.
- • Expeditionary hike to the southern tip of South America at Cape Froward.
Policies
Read our Terms and conditions where our cancellation and changes policies are defined. Always remember to plan your trips in advance.