Tierra del Fuego National Park Ushuaia
Introduction
Ushuaia offers visitors a chance to enter the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Options in the park include trekking, canoeing and a ride aboard the “End of the World” train. Information about these activities is further below.
If you have some time on your hands then a visit here is one option to see nature at the end of the Southern continent.
This National Park is located about 12km west from Ushuaia city centre at the end of the ruta 3 and the southernmost park in all of Argentina. Created in 1960, it is the only National Park in Argentina that contains within its boundaries a marine element, with views of the Beagle Channel; coastal forests (of Antarctic Beech, Lenga Beech and Coihue) lakes, lagoons, peat bogs and mountainous landscape. It covers just short of 70,000 hectares, within which there are numerous types of flora and fauna. It is encircled to the west by the Andes and Chilean border, to the north by Lake Fagnano, to the south by the Beagle Channel – and to the east is the city of Ushuaia.
Among the fauna are guanacos, foxes, beavers (which are not native to the area and were introduced), rabbits, and muskrat. There is also a variety of bird life including kelp goose, torrent duck, black-browned albatrosses, the steamer duck, oystercatchers and seagulls at the coastal area and in the forest, there are austral parakeets, woodpeckers and the austral thrush. High above there is often the Andean condor.
Visitor Centre
At the visitor centre there is a good view of the lake Acigami as well as the source of the river Lapataia, Salmon Island and the “Cerro” Condor (Condor Summit), which is the point that divides Chile and Argentina in this area. There is also a café, snack bar and WC’s as well as a souvenir store and cultural exhibitions.
Scenery
The Tierra del Fuego National Park comprises some wonderful, natural scenery including waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and woodland.
Getting to the Park
Ideally you will book a tour to the park with us, however, if not you can board a minibus at the junction of Maipu Avenue and Juana Fadul street, take a taxi or go in your own rent a car. Do NOT cycle because you are not permitted to ride bikes in the park.
Cost of Entry
Between 01 May to 30 September each year entry is free of charge. From 01 October to the end of February there is a cost, always in Argentine pesos (which changes frequently) and this can be paid in cash, or a well-known debit or credit card.
Where to stay
Most visitors to Tierra del Fuego National Park only spend a day or less.
However, there are four designated camping areas within the park at Río Pipo, Ensenada and Laguna Verde, Cauquenes and Laguna del Caminante on the Andorra-Oveja trek.
The first three have chemical toilets, available from November to April.
Best of all, the camp sites are completely free. If you don’t have a camper van, you can rent camping essentials in Ushuaia for a budget-friendly trip.
End of the World Train
There is a steam train ride that is aptly named “the end of the world train” that offers visitors an opportunity to be transported through scenic sectors of the park without having to move. The train was at one time used to transport prisoners in Ushuaia. However, in 1994 it was refurbished and established as a heritage project. A new steam engine was imported from England in 1995, and another two diesel engines were brought in from somewhere else in Argentina to provide three engines to drive the train around the park. The train station is located 8km west of Ushuaia, which is 3km before the official park entry point, and operates over a distance of 5km, which it covers in about 50 minutes, one way.
Canoeing / Kayaking
This is an alternative way to navigate rivers, lakes and lagoons; even to defy the strength of the Beagle Channel. It also possible to combine off road tours, trekking, bird sighting.
Hiking (Trekking) from Ushuaia, Patagonia
The park offers hikers a number of well-marked trails to explore ranging from easy to moderate, to more difficult.
The more popular treks are around Zaratiegui Bay, Acigami Lake, which is where the visitors centre is located, and Lapatia Bay. The coastal path connects Enseñada Bay with Lapataia Bay on Lake Roca.
Below is brief information on the more popular treks.
Other Treks
Trek Pampa Alta trail
- Operational: October – April
- Difficulty: Medium.
- Distance: 10km return.
- Time: 3 hrs return.
Brief Description
The initial part of this trail follows the shore of the Beagle Channel. In total, the distance is about 10 km and takes about 3 hrs there and back, passing through Nothofagus forest, between Rio Pipo’s valley to the Enseñada inlet Aratiegui.
From Aratiegui you have a panoramic view over the Beagle Channel and its surroundings.
Trek Paseo de la Isla
- Operational: October – April
- Difficulty: Low.
- Time: Approximately 20 minutes.
Brief Description
This trail crosses the Cormoranes Archipelago along the banks of the Lapataia and Ovando Rivers. Good opportunity for watching aquatic birds.
Trek Laguna Negra
- Operational: All Year.
- Difficulty: Low.
- Duration: Approximately 20 minutes.
Brief Description
This is a walk through the forest to reach a peat bog. Good place to explain the peat bogs, peat bogs’ origin and species that live there.
Del Turba
- Operational: All Year.
- Difficulty: Low.
- Distance: 2km.
Brief Description
This is an alternative trail to reach Lapataia Bay. You can see an uninhabited beaver dam, walk besides a peat bog and, at the end, walk through the forest. There is an important panoramic viewpoint from where you can appreciate Lapataia Bay. The path finishes at the Lapataia, panoramic viewpoint: however, if you like, you can continue combining on the the Senda de la Baliza trail (see below).
