Cape Froward Trek: Backpacking Expedition

A one-hour drive will takes us to Punta Árbol, where the road ends and the unknown begins. This marks the start of our trek to Cape Froward, the southernmost point of the continent.

We’ll follow a rugged, rocky coastline along the Strait of Magellan, passing through dense forest, peat bogs, and windswept beaches. We’ll immerse ourselves in a primitive ecosystem, home to Magellanic coigüe, canelo, chaura and calafate.

We’ll pass historic landmarks like the solitary San Isidro Lighthouse and Bahía del Águila, where remnants of the old whaling station remain. 

We’ll set up our first wild camp at Río Yumbel and enjoy dinner beneath the southern sky.

We’ll wake up to the cold Patagonian air and begin our journey through protected bays and mixed forest, a blend of young regrowth and ancient remnants. 

Along the way, the only sounds will be rustling leaves or birdsong breaking the silence.

We’ll reach San Nicolás river and set up our camp. A warm meal and well-deserved rest after another day of adventures.

Today the challenge begins: 3 km of peat bogs. Look closely and you might spot Guaitecas cyprus roots and small carnivorous plants thriving in this extreme habitat.

Seabirds, sea lions, fish, and mollusks will accompany us along the Strait.

We’ll end the day at Río Nodales with a final test: a waist-deep river crossing. On the other side, our camp awaits along with a hot meal and a well-earned rest.

Today we’ll dive deep into the wild. Every kilometer brings us closer to the continent’s end. The terrain shifts as we go: coarse sand beaches, forests with towering cypress and twisted canelo trees, deep mud patches, fallen logs, and slippery rocks.

We´ll pass open areas where strong winds lash the land and encounter hardy low vegetation. Along the trail, we’ll pass “Piedra de la Momia”, a dramatic rock spire that emerges from the mist and wind like a sentinel at the end of the world.

We’ll finish the day at our base camp beneath the iconic “Cruz de los Mares” (Cross of the Seas) , a monument marking the southernmost point of South America. Here, the horizon turns to sea, wind, and sky.

This is our last wild camp, knowing we are somewhere very few have ever reached.

We’ll start early for the much-anticipated ascent to the Cross of the Seas: a symbolic landmark marking the end of the Andes and the southernmost edge of continental South America.

Although short, the climb is tough: deep mud, wet peat, slippery metal stairs, and strong gusts of wind make this a real challenge. But the view is worth every step.

From the top, the landscape unfolds like a map: the Strait of Magellan, Dawson Island, Capitán Aracena, and even the majestic Mount Sarmiento on the horizon.

After descending, we’ll wrap up our trek with a scenic boat ride from our camp to Punta Carreras. Seeing Cape Froward from the sea offers a whole new perspective. If the weather allows, we may spot sea lions, petrels, or albatrosses. During our navigation back, we will make a stop to visit the San Isidro Lighthouse Museum, where we can learn about the rich history and maritime heritage of this remote area.

Back on land, a well-deserved treat awaits: delicious centolla (king crab) empanadas (a taste of local Patagonian cuisine) before our final drive back to your accommodation in Punta Arenas. 

We’ll bid farewell to this journey to the end of the world, bringing home new friendships and unforgettable memories.