Hiking Tierra del Fuego National Park (Don’t Forget Nomad Insurance!)

Argentine Tierra del Fuego Province Is A Beautiful Spot For A Hike

On a recent stop in Ushuaia, Argentina, I had the opportunity to hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park. An ever present backdrop, the city sits in the foothills of the Martial Mountains that rise around 4,300 feet above sea level. The discernable tree line and glacier covered peaks are pleasant to hike in South America’s summer months (December-February).

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Hiking In The Southernmost City

Ushuaia sits at the southernmost tip of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. It is a popular jumping off point for Antarctic expeditions — I’ll be posting about that part of the trip very soon! The scenery from even a moderate hike puts you above the tree line in this sub antarctic climate.

If you decide to head into the mountains, it is advisable to go with a local guide. Well marked trails dot the Tierra del Fuego area, but the exposed southern tundra borders can easily wipe out a trail sign or two. There are plenty of tour companies that will guide you through these mountains. I used Canal Fun & Nature Tours, there were wonderful.

Be sure to dress warmly as the tree cover extends only so far and once you pass the tree line, it gest chilly in the wind exposed areas. The cool summers allow for some exploration in this mostly polar climate region.

We were treated to a bumpy outback 4×4 adventure that took us to our trailhead. After we were treaded to a short 45 minute moderate hike that offered stunning mountain views as our reward. Then ended our adventure at a rustic resort where we dined on hearty cusine, enjoyed some local wine, and visited their team of sled dogs.

It was a glorious day in Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego National Park is where the Andes Mountains meet the Beagle Channel – Where the Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans connect. The thick layer of peat adds a bouncy step to your hiking below the tree line, but be prepared to climb up, up, up. The park is composed of a combination of Andean forest, Magellanic forest, and pre-Antarctic forest. Soaring trees create a shaded canopy and a low growing vegetation forest floor. The trees are mostly Lenga, the Ñirre, Magellanic Coihue and Canelo. It is a magnificent forest to explore.

Hike Safely

There are many things to consider when you are hiking — it doesn’t matter if you are on a familiar route or exploring a new-to-you hiking adventure. My list of must haves for out-of-the-country outdoor activities include excellent hiking shoes. I love my Keen Hiking boots for sure footedness, they are worth their weight in my luggage. Another travel must is trekking poles — I just bought a new pair of lightweight collapsable walking sticks and I used them on this hike — they were great.

I always, always have nomadic insurance — you can read why here! I encourage you explore Safety Wing as an option for your travel insurance. Whether you are an outdoor adventure seeker or a museum stroller, you can get injured anywhere, at any time. Travelers sometimes get injured and think their personal policies are going to cover them — often that is not the case. Prepare for the worst and be safe in your adventures.

Tierra del Fuego National Park

We loved hiking Tierra del Fuego National Park. The joy of getting outdoors and moving in the clean air with a crisp breeze simply makes me smile.

Happy Travels,

Sandi

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PS

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Travel health insurance when you are heading out of the country is an important consideration. Many policies don’t fully cover you outside of the US. I use Safety Wing for my international travels. I use the one-time coverage option for individual trips – luckily I haven’t had to use it, but it’s comforting to know I have it in place. If you travel in a country that may require you to be airlifted for proper medical attention, Medjet is the best option for evac insurance. 

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