Lagunas & Glaciers in Ushuaia
5 days at Fin del Mundo (End of the World) and we left yearning for more. Mountains and glaciers every direction you look with lagunas nestled in between. The hiking options are endless. Mostly though, I was just stoked to dust off the tent I’ve been lugging around and put it to use!
We started off with Martial Glacier, the closest track to town and walkable from our AirBnb. A pleasant track up though lacking a glacier.
On day 2 we set out for Senda Costera to soon discover it was only accessible with a 40,000ARS (70NZD) Tierra del Fuego National Park entry pass. Not for our shoestring budget.
With half the day gone, Kenzie set about the city for the afternoon while I set off on an alternate coastal track to Estancia Túnel (free), walking past the city on route to the start.
The track starts near Playa Larga (Long Beach) just beyond the industrial area of Ushuaia, and follows the coast for 4km.
A somewhat last minute decision saw us heading for Laguna del Caminante the following day with sleeping mats and a tent in our packs.
On arrival we sat down for our afternoon coffee to realise we didn’t have a lighter! Luckily another couple appeared at the campsite in time for dinner who spared us a spark and allowed us a warm meal. Note to self: get a lighter.
It was a cold night and early start (by Argentinian standards) the next day over the pass before following the side of the valley back down to Ushuaia. A small detour would have taken us to Cañadon de la Oveja Cave Entrance if we hadn’t missed the turn off! Guess we’ll have to come back.
Laguna Esmeralda was our target on Day 5 at the Fin del Mundo. We hitch-hiked out with an Italian couple discussing their thoughts on Argentinian pizza and pasta (they didn’t come for the food).
Another hitch-hike and a shower later we were eating choripans for dinner (again), off early the next morning on a 12hr bus to Punta Arenas. Puerto Natales in our sights, our gateway to Torres del Paine.
Links & Lessons Learned
Ushuaia
- Hard to get a Sube card here, grab one in Buenos Aires if you can. I think you can get them at the Municipalidad though.
- Tierra del Fuego National Park is located west of the city and costs 45000ARS per person for a days entry. Everywhere else is free!
[ Patagonia ]
[ Argentina ]
Featured Tracks
