Over seven days, we hike the full length of the remote Cabo Froward coastal route in Southern Patagonia. This small-group expedition follows empty beaches, hidden bays, and ancient forest—camping each night at wild sites by the Strait of Magellan. The adventure builds each day, leading us to the iconic Cruz de los Mares at the continent's southern tip. Along the way, our local guide brings Patagonia’s history and nature to life. After celebrating at Cabo Froward, we make a scenic boat journey back, catching rare ocean views of the route we've conquered. All logistics, meals, and group equipment are handled—just bring your drive for adventure.
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where your guides meet you at the airport before you settle in at the hotel. In the evening, the group gathers for a welcome dinner—a perfect chance to meet everyone, talk adventure, and review the route. Final gear checks get sorted too. By night, you’ll be ready for the wild days ahead.
Meals: Welcome dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Punta Arenas
After breakfast, we drive about an hour south of Punta Arenas along the Strait of Magellan to the End of the Road, the southernmost point of the American continent you can reach by road. From here, we start walking into Cape Froward National Park. The route passes the historic San Isidro Lighthouse, with views of Mount Tarn, which Charles Darwin climbed during the voyage of the HMS Beagle. Over about five hours, we follow beaches and secluded bays, with the open coast giving way to dense subantarctic forest, until we set up our first camp at the Yumbel River.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Distance: 11.5 km (7.2 mi)
Accommodation: Wilderness camping
We pack up camp and set off on a hike of about four hours. The day starts along a string of beaches before the trail climbs gradually through the subantarctic forest. Emerging from the trees, we reach an open plateau with wide views over the Brunswick Peninsula, its mountains and little-explored valleys stretching to the horizon. From the plateau, we descend back to the shore and follow the coast to the San Nicolás River, where we set up our second wilderness camp.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 mi)
Accommodation: Wilderness camp at the San Nicolas River
After breakfast, our guide checks the river conditions and tide tables to find the safest time to cross the San Nicolás River; we only cross when conditions allow. On the other side, we hike for about four hours along a series of beaches. As we head south, the Strait of Magellan narrows, and the mountains, fjords, and glaciers draw closer with every bend in the coast. From camp, we have an open view of the Darwin Range across the water, with massive glaciers descending toward the fjords.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 10–12 km (6.2–7.5 mi)
Accommodation: Wilderness camping on the beach or in the forest
As with the previous crossing, our guide checks the water level, weather, and tides before choosing the safest time to cross the Nodales River. Today’s route includes stretches of exposed rocky shoreline, where we move carefully over Cretaceous shale and sandstone formations. With every step, the mountains and glaciers seem closer, and it starts to feel like we’re reaching the edge of the continent. After about four hours, we arrive at our forest campsite at the base of Cape Froward, surrounded by subantarctic vegetation, fjords, and mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Wilderness camping at the base of Cape Froward
If conditions allow, we set off early to reach the summit for sunrise. Here stands the Cruz de los Mares, the Cross of the Seas, overlooking the Strait of Magellan, the passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with glaciers sliding down the mountains across the water. Back at camp, we enjoy a well-earned meal before boarding the boat for the one-hour ride back, keeping watch for dolphins and, with luck, whales. Once ashore, we transfer to our hotel in Punta Arenas and celebrate with a final dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Punta Arenas
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Punta Arenas and the wilds of Patagonia. Your adventure comes to an end here, and you’re free to continue your travels or head to the airport for your flight home.
Included:
Not included:
In order to join this Cape Froward trek, excellent fitness is required as well as previous multi-day trekking experience. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 12 km (7.5 mi), carrying a loaded backpack on rugged and variable terrain, including sand, rock, and forest. Weather can shift quickly, so participants must be prepared for challenging conditions and ready to adapt in a true Patagonian wilderness setting.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover our collection of Patagonia hiking tours!
Gear:
Clothing:
Other:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and pricing:
Min. age requirements:
The starting point of your Cape Froward trek is Punta Arenas, Chile. To get there, most people fly into Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Punta Arenas. You will meet your guide at pre-arranged time in Punta Arenas. Exact meeting details will be confirmed after booking.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.