Hiking In Patagonia: 20 Best Hikes In Patagonia

Hiking in Patagonia is as good as it gets. The quality and variety of the trails, the unique wildlife, the clean air, and – most importantly, the incredible views throughout make it an incredible experience.

One thing you must understand, though, is that Patagonia is huge. It spans the southern regions of Chile and Argentina, where it comprises the provinces of Chubut, Neuquén, Río Negro, Tierra del Fuego, and Santa Cruz.

You cannot tackle all the hikes in Patagonia in one trip—unless that one trip lasts a few months! I have been to Patagonia three times, and each time, I hiked thoroughly in a different region.

So, you may be wondering about the best hikes in Patagonia.

Continue reading this post for a selection of the best Patagonia treks – by region and access point. I will also share a few tips to help you make the most of hiking in Patagonia.

The Best Hikes In Patagonia

El Calafate

El Calafate is one of the best places to go hiking in Patagonia. This small town in the province of Santa Cruz is the best access point to Argentina’s lakes region. Most people go there to visit Los Glaciares National Park, but remain positively surprised by how many more things to do there are.

The good news for hiking lovers is that there are some interesting hikes in this part of Patagonia. Here are the best ones.

Perito Moreno Glacier Trek

• Overall walking distance: varied, depending on whether you go on a big trek or mini trek
• Overall walking time: between 1 and a half hours and 8 hours
• Difficulty level: easy

The classic tours of Perito Moreno Glacier involve walking along the various view points and, at most, a boat ride on Lake Argentino. A more fun way of experiencing Perito Moreno, however, is going on an ice trek.

Hiking expeditions usually start from the southern banks of the lake, with a boat ride to a base camp where you’ll meet local guides who, after a short walk through the forest, will stop by the moraine and help you gear up for the trek, for which you have to wear crampons and gloves.

There are two different itineraries – a longer one, that takes up to 8 hours; and a short one that takes around one hour and a half. The latter one is actually very easy, slow paced and with very little ascent, yet a great way to get to know more about the glacier.

I recommend this Perito Moreno ice trek – it’s one of the best day hikes in Patagonia. You will get a boat tour to the shores of the lake where you will begin to hike.

To find out more about Perito Moreno, check out my post A Complete Guide To Perito Moreno Glacier.

Upsala Glacier viewpoint and Cañadón de los Fósiles

• Overall walking distance: 14 km (8.7 miles)
• Overall walking time: 5 hours, including breaks
• Difficulty level: easy

One of the nicest day trips from El Calafate is to Estancia Cristina, a beautiful farm located on the shores of Lake Argentino, in Los Glaciares National Park. Most people go to Estancia Cristina to spend the day horse riding and join a 4×4 tour of the surroundings.

However, there is a fantastic hike that starts right at the farm and goes to a viewpoint to admire Lake Guillermo, the eastern front of Upsala Glacier and the South Patagonian Continental Ice Field. From there, it goes down to the Cañadón de los Fósiles for a 14 km (8.7 miles) trek, during which you’ll have a chance to admire beautiful marine fossils.

It’s one of the easy hikes in Patagonia – the only issue is the strong wind that regularly blows in this part of the country. It takes between 4 to 5 hours to complete the hike, including a break for lunch.

I recommend this guided hike to Cañadón de los Fósiles that includes transportation from El Calafate.

El Chalten

El Chalten is my favorite place to go hiking in Patagonia. This tiny village has direct access to an infinity of great trails And when you are done hiking, there are plenty of breweries, restaurants and bars to refuel your energy.

Make sure to read my post An Excellent Guide To El Chalten.

El Chalten is where you can enjoy some of the best day hikes in Patagonia.

However, if you are keen on staying completely immersed in the nature, you can combine two or more trails (ie the trail to Laguna Torre and the trail to Laguna de Los Tres) to go on a multi-day hike. In this case, you have to be fully equipped with camping gear and food.

Here are some excellent day hikes in Patagonia that can be easily accessed from El Chalten.

Condor Lookout

• Overall walking distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)
• Overall walking time: 1 hour
• Difficulty level: easy

This short hike is actually very rewarding. It starts in El Chalten and, with a gradual but steady ascent, takes you to a lookout point from where you can admire the mountains with the backdrop of Lake Viedma.

The best time to do it is sunrise, when (provided the skies are clear) you’ll get that perfect pink glow over the peaks of Patagonia. You don’t have to wake up too early for it, as it’s truly a short walk. You go back the same way you walked in.

Laguna Torre

• Overall walking distance: between 21km (13 miles) and 24 km (15 miles), there and back, depending on whether you walk to Mirador Maestri or not.
• Overall walking time: between 5 and 7 hours.
• Difficulty level: moderate

This moderate trek takes you to the base of Cerro Torre, for spectacular views of one of the most beautiful peaks in the world. The trail starts at the northern side of El Chalten, and after a steep 2 km (1.2 miles) it becomes more moderate, taking you through beautiful meadows with uninterrupted views of Cerro Torre.

Once you get to the lagoon, you have the option to continue walking to Mirador Maestri. This is the only difficult part of the trail, but it’s worth the challenge for breathtaking glacier and mountain views.

You’ll have to walk back along the same trail.

The hike to Laguna Torre can be done independently, but if you’d rather join a guided expedition, there are various that depart from town every day. For example you could consider this guided hike of Laguna Torre that includes transportation from El Calafate.

I have a full guide on hiking to Laguna Torre that will help you plan your hike.

Laguna de Los Tres

• Overall walking distance: between 24 and 26 km (between 15 and 16 miles), depending on where you start.
• Overall walking time: 8 hours
• Difficulty level: moderate to hard

Of all the hikes in Patagonia, this is the most rewarding one in terms of views: you’ll get a first sight of the mighty Cerro Fitz Roy from Mirador Piedras Blancas; gorgeous views from Laguna Capri; and you take a short detour to go to Chorrillo del Salto, a lovely waterfall at km 5 of the trail.

You can start hiking either on the northern side of El Chalten, or at El Pilar.

The trail is easy for the most part, but around 1 km (0.6 miles) after Campamento Poincenot, a sign warns you that you should only continue hiking if you are really fit. The trail that goes to Laguna de Los Tres is seriously challenging – a one km (0.6 miles) uphill walk with a steady 40% incline on uneven rocks.

You’ll have to walk back down on the same trail.

The hike to Laguna de Los Tres can be done independently – the trail is well marked and easy to follow. Guided hikes depart from El Chalten. You can also go on a multi-day hike to hit both Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre for a full adventure.

My post A Useful Guide To The Laguna De Los Tres Hike explains all the challenges of this trek.

Huemul Circuit

• Overall walking distance: 64 km (39.7 miles)
• Overall walking time: 4 days
• Difficulty level: strenuous

This is one of the lesser known multi-day hikes in Patagonia. The challenge keeps the crowds away. This is the kind of hike where you’ll have to cross rivers and climb to Paso del Viento and Paso Huemul to be rewarded with incredible views of of Viedma Lake and Viedma Glacier – it’s one of the few hikes in Patagonia where you get to see the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.

You have to walk back to El Chalten following the same trail.

Contrary to most of the hikes in this post, this one can’t be done independently (and by all means don’t do it solo). You are better off hiring a local guide that knows how to navigate the trail and which will have all the necessary equipment to move around. Make sure to enquire locally to find a suitable guide.

El Bolson

El Bolson is the unsung hiking capital of Argentina, it may not have the imposing peaks of El Chalten but it IS home to the largest interconnected hut system in South America – meaning you can hike from one hut to another.

Cajon del Azul

*Contributed by Erin Mushaway, Sol Salute

• Overall walking distance: 16 km (10 miles)
• Overall walking time: 6-7 hours
• Difficulty level: moderate

The hike to El Cajon del Azul is easily the most popular refugio (that means hut in Spanish) hike in El Bolson. This is a moderate hike culminating in a portion of the Rio Azul that is boxed in by boulders and cliffs creating a natural swimming hole.

The trail itself weaves along the Rio Azul before reaching this particular pool, switching from steep inclines and declines throughout. Most views are within the forest with occasional breathtaking views along the river.

About thirty minutes out from the cajon the trail passes another refugio, La Playita. Hikers should stop here to rest their feet on the rocky beach, it is stunning.

Hikers should pack a picnic and snacks but in a pinch, the refugio does have food like fried pastry (torta frita), sodas, hot water for yerba mate, and even pizzas. Pack your hiking poles as the many ups and downs of this trail do wear on the knees. J

anuary and February are the busiest months with large (and loud) crowds on the trail. Hike in shoulder season (Spring or Fall) to enjoy the trail in peace.

Bariloche

Bariloche is in the northernmost reaches of Patagonia, nestled among Argentina’s beautiful lake district. This scenic lakeside city stands on the doorstep of Nahuel Huapi National Park, full of stunning trails along forest paths, mountain slopes and waterways.

Cerro Llao Llao

*Contributed by Alex Trembath, Career Gappers

• Overall walking distance: around 15 km (9.3 miles) (there are also shorter routes)
• Overall walking time: around 4 hours
• Difficulty level: easy to moderate

One of the most breathtaking viewpoints within the park is at the peak of Cerro Llao Llao, which looks out upon a landscape of deep blue lakes and snow-capped mountains stretching into the distance.

There are various routes by which you can hike to Cerro Llao Llao, and one of the most rewarding is to combine it with a walk through the forests of Sendero de los Arrayanes. The full distance of this circuit is around 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), and you can reach the trailhead easily from Bariloche by taking the 20 bus Puerto Pañuelo.

The trail is mostly gentle except for the section where you ascend to the hilltop, which takes about 30 minutes up a series of switchbacks. Along the remainder of the route you will also pass some lovely lakeside beaches with peaceful views from the water’s edge.

Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially birds – if you are lucky you might see some Andean condors or Magellanic woodpeckers.

If you’d rather join a guided hike, you can consider this Cerro Llao Llao guided hike from Bariloche which includes transportation from your hotel and a guide at all times.

Ushuaia

Most people travel to Ushuaia to go on a Beagle Channel cruise and admire the local wildlife. They also go on a classic tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park and use it as a base to depart for their Antarctica cruise.

Hiking junkies will be thrilled to know that Ushuaia is home to some of the best day hikes in Patagonia, with trails that, though moderate, are incredibly rewarding. Besides, there is something special in hiking at the “Fin del Mundo” (end of the world).

The following is a selection of my favorite hikes in Patagonia that can be accessed from Ushuaia.

Check out my post Everything You Need To Know About Ushuaia, Patagonia for more activities and attractions in the area.

Laguna Esmeralda

• Overall walking distance: 9.6 km (6 miles)
• Overall walking time: 4 hours
• Difficulty level: easy to moderate

The hike to Laguna Esmeralda is one of the easy hikes in Patagonia. It takes you to a beautiful emerald lagoon at the base of Glacier Albino.

The starting point of the hike to Laguna Esmeralda is in Valle de Los Lobos, about 17 Km (10.5 miles) east of Ushuaia, along Ruta 3. You can easily reach it via a public shuttle that departs regularly from Ushuaia.

From there, you’ll walk through a beautiful lenga forest, observing the massive beaver dams and enjoying gorgeous mountain views.

As it rains a lot in Tierra del Fuego, the only real challenge during this hike is mud, which makes the trail slippery, and the massive peat moss you’ll have to cross to get to the lagoon. Make sure to keep it moving, or else you risk finding yourself blocked up to your knees in the moss!

You’ll have to walk back along the same trail.

The hike to Laguna Esmeralda can be done independently. The trail is easy to follow and there are no major challenges. However, if you’d rather join a group, several excursions depart from Ushuaia.

You can book your guided hike to Laguna Esmeralda too. It will include transportation from the city.

Read my post A Complete Guide To Hiking Laguna Esmeralda for more information on how to tackle this hike.

Laguna Turquesa

• Overall walking distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)
• Overall walking time: 3.5 hours
• Difficulty level: moderate

On the other side of the trail that goes to Laguna Esmeralda is the trail that takes you to Laguna Turquesa.

The initial part of the trail is quite steep and goes through the beautiful lenga forest. After that, it opens into a gorgeous green valley that leads to one of the most impressive, clear lakes you’ll get to see.

You can take a detour and climb up a steep slope, from which you’ll enjoy incredible views of Laguna Turquesa and the Carbajal valley.

You walk back along the same trail.

Río Larsifashaj waterfall

• Overall walking distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
• Overall walking time: 2 hours
• Difficulty level: easy

One of the nicest, lesser-known easy hikes in Patagonia is to Río Larsifashaj waterfall. This walk has very little incline and takes 2 hours overall. During it, you will walk through the fields and forests that are Estancia Haberton’s private land, along a river, and to an incredibly scenic waterfall.

The starting point of this trail is practically hidden, and the trail is on private land. This means that you won’t really meet other people while walking, but you will also need special permission from Estancia Haberton to trespass on their territory.

The only company in Ushuaia that has an agreement to cross this part of the estancia is Tierra Turismo. It’s worth every penny!

Senda Costera

• Overall walking distance: 8 km (about 5 miles)
• Overall walking time: 3 to 4 hours, depending on the number of stops.
• Difficulty level: easy

The Senda Costera (coastal trail) can be accessed at Ensenada Zaratiegui and goes all the way to Acigami Lake.

Throughout the hike, you get to see the incredible views of the national park, the surrounding mountains reflecting in the lake, and even some conchales, piles of seashells left by the Yámana, the indigenous peoples of Tierra del Fuego, and which have high archeological value.

If you are lucky, you may even get to see some wildlife, including red foxes and wood peckers.

The trail ends by a restaurant where you’ll find buses going back to Ushuaia at regular times.

Senda del Torbal

• Overall walking distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)
• Overall walking time: 1 hour
• Difficulty level: very easy

This is one of the easiest hikes in Patagonia. It takes an overall hour to go through the peat bogs and you’ll have beautiful views throughout.

Cerro Guanaco

• Overall walking distance: 8 km (about 5 miles)
• Overall walking time: 4 hours
• Difficulty level: moderate to hard

This is one of the hardest hikes in Tierra del Fuego National Park: it is a steady uphill walk. You will be walking for 4 km (2.5 miles) to get to an incredible viewpoint from where you will be able to admire the surrounding mountains and the peat bogs that are so common in Tierra del Fuego.

The main access point is from Senda Hito XXIV, another trail that goes along Acigami Lake until the border with Chile. You walk back along the same trail.

Glacier Vinciguerra

• Overall walking distance: 8 km (about 5 miles)
• Overall walking time: 6 to 7 hours
• Difficulty level: moderate

The views on the hike to Glacier Vinciguerra make it one of the best Patagonia treks. The trail, which is free to access, starts in Barrio Andorra, on the north-eastern side of Ushuaia. It goes through peat moss, a forest, and a valley until it reaches the glacier.

You walk back along the same trail.

If you are keen on walking on the glacier, you can join a guided tour so that you will have the crampons and other necessary equipment.

Martial Glacier

• Overall walking distance: 6.5 km (4 miles)
• Overall walking time: 3 to 4 hours
• Difficulty level: moderate

Accessing the trail to Martial Glacier is fairly easy, as it starts at a straightforward 40-minute walk from the center of Ushuaia (you can also go there by taxi or bus).

The hike is steep and steady, but once you get to the top, you will have incredible views of the city, the surrounding mountains, and even Beagle Channel.

You can walk back on the same trail or follow an alternate one that takes you to a nice café where you can get a steaming hot cup of coffee before heading back to town.

Torres del Paine National Park

You can’t really say you have been hiking in Patagonia if you haven’t been to Torres del Paine National Park. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Chile, and for a good reason: it’s simply magnificent.

Unfortunately, my experience in Torres del Paine is very limited as I have only done a day hike there.

My post The Best Places To Visit In Chile highlights more places to explore in this gorgeous country.

Torres del Paine Mirador Las Torres

• Overall walking distance: 18 km (11.2 miles)
• Overall walking time: 9 hours
• Difficulty level: hard

The hike to Mirador las Torres is one of the best hikes in Patagonia. The trail goes to a lookout point from where you get an incredible view of the Torres – the famous peaks that tower over an incredibly turquoise lake just below.

This is one of the hardest day hikes in Patagonia. First of all, it is mostly uphill, and chances are you’ll have to battle the strong Patagonian winds as you walk.

Having said so, you’ll get spectacular views of waterfalls, forests and mountains throughout, so your efforts will be paid off! Beware that the last part of the hike is very steep.

For an even better experience, I recommend spending the night at the nearby refugio and starting hiking while it’s still dark outside. This way, you can get to the viewpoint in time for sunrise and see Las Torres beaming in red.

O Circuit, Torres del Paine

*Contributed by Chanelle Rosenbaum, Chasing Chanelle

• Overall walking distance: 110 km (68 miles)
• Overall walking time: 7-9 days
• Difficulty level: hard

The O Circuit is one of two popular multi-day hikes in Chilean Patagonia’s famous Torres del Paine National Park. It’s not quite as well-known as its shorter counterpart, the W Trek. But it’s actually even more spectacular, as it takes you into a much more remote part of the park in the first half and then covers the same route as the W Trek in the second half.

On this hike, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of dramatic valleys, jagged mountain peaks, massive glaciers, bright blue lakes and much more. Plus, you’ll get to see the park’s most iconic sites, including the Britanico and Torres del Paine viewpoints and the Grey Glacier.

The O Circuit isn’t an especially technical hike. Instead, what makes it difficult is that it has over 5,000 meters (17,000+ feet) of elevation gain while carrying a heavy pack that contains all your belongings for up to nine days!

Luckily, to make this hike a little easier, you can book accommodation in fully equipped campsites or refuges along the way and eat catered meals at each stop, helping you keep your pack weight down.

Something else to keep in mind about the O Circuit is that reservations are required, and they usually fill up early in the season. So, it’s best to book this hike well in advance of your Patagonia adventure.

This guided O Circuit hike is one of the best options that’s available to book online. You will get transportation from Puerto Natales, accommodation along the way and all meals.

Cerro Castillo National Park

Located in the Aysen Region of Patagonia lies Cerro Castillo National Park and the stunning hike to the laguna Cerro Castillo near Rio Ibanez Chile. Home to stunning glaciers, epic mountains, bright blue rivers and around 10% of the endangered huemul deer population this park is a place few visitors explore. 

Much of this park is closed to the public, but during the summer season, a few trails are open to tourists.

Cerro Castillo

*Contributed by Campbell Louw, Stingy Nomads

• Overall walking distance: around 53 km (about 33 miles)
• Overall walking time: 3 to 4 days
• Difficulty level: easy to moderate

The Cerro Castillo Trek is an off-the-beaten-track hiking route inside the Cerro Castillo National Reserve in Chile Patagonia. This is an amazing park located on the scenic Carretera Austral road with spectacular landscapes, mountain peaks, crystal-clear rivers, hanging glaciers, challenging passes, and dense forests.

Breathtaking scenery and uncrowded trails are highlights of this beautiful route. Coyhaique is the closest larger town and can be reached by bus.

The Cerro Castillo trek is a 53 km long point-to-point trail, and it takes 3-4 days to complete.

This route can be hiked in either direction, but the most popular way is hiking from Route 7 at Las Horquetas to Villa Cerro Castillo a small town on the Carretera Austral route.

Wild animals such as South Andean deer, guanacos, red foxes, Patagonian skunk, and the elusive puma can be seen on the trail.

November to March is the best season for trekking Cerro Castillo.

Hikers have to carry camping gear and food. There are five campsites in the park. Hikers must be completely self-sufficient with no restaurants or shops available. No special permits or guides are required, an entrance fee for the multi-day trek must be paid at the gate.

Laguna Cerro Castillo – Cerro Castillo Aysen Region

*Contributed by Alice Ford, Alice’s Adventures on Earth

• Overall walking distance: 14.1 km (8.8 miles)
• Overall walking time: 6.5 to 7 hours
• Difficulty level: difficult

The hike up to Laguna Cerro Castillo is one of the best in Chilean Patagonia. It is a seriously steep hike, with roughly 1,277 meters (4,189 feet) of elevation gain, but the elevation is well worth it for the rewarding views of the magnetic blue lagoon tucked into the belly of a mountain peak. Glacier waters, in the form of waterfalls, fall into the lagoon. 

The hike begins on private property and costs $5 to enter. It traverses through an open range of cattle before re-entering the national park. The trail is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and it is not allowed to begin after 2:00 p.m.

To get there from town you will drive down a narrow dirt road, if you do not have 4 x 4 ability do not drive past the signs that say 4 wheel drive only and park at either the first parking lot or along the road before it turns to sand. 

The trail ascends gradually at first and then steeply as you pass through open range, forest, and open meadows. Long switchbacks lead up as expansive views of the surrounding mountains and rivers come into view.

The last mile of the trail ascends steeply up boulders and rocks, giving you a slight reprieve when you reach the viewpoint of the lake. For those looking to get closer to the lake, scramble down the rocks on the trail and stick your feet in the icy waters before heading back. 

The Best Time To Go Hiking In Patagonia

The first thing you should keep in mind if you plan to go hiking in Patagonia is that it is huge, and the weather varies greatly from place to place. I

n general, the best time to go is between the beginning of November and April when the days are long and the temperatures milder. The warmest months are February and March.

However, the weather in Patagonia is as unpredictable as it gets, and you may get rain, wind and even snow on any given day.

The sudden weather changes may have a strong impact on your trip. Make sure to check the weather broadcast and the winds before setting out to hike. The WindGuru is an excellent website to do so.

Tierra del Fuego is cold even in the summer, with temperatures averaging 8°C (46.4°F).

Getting To Patagonia

You can fly to Santiago, Chile, or Buenos Aires, Argentina, and then connect to one of the main hubs in Patagonia.

From Santiago, catch a flight to Punta Arenas. From Buenos Aires, you can opt to fly to Bariloche, El Calafate (from where you can easily reach El Chalten and even Torres del Paine National Park), or Ushuaia. There are direct flights from El Calafate to Ushuaia.

Getting Around Patagonia

You can cover shorter distances in Patagonia by bus. Both Argentina and Chile have a very good web of buses connecting the main hiking hubs, with comfortable vehicles connecting El Calafate to El Chalten or Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine. It’s better to book your trip in advance.

Though Torres del Paine is less than three hours’ drive from El Calafate, there are no direct buses (unless you opt for a guided tour). You will have to take a bus to Puerto Natales and, from there, a connecting one to Torres del Paine on the same day.

The Cost Of Hiking In Patagonia

Hiking in Patagonia isn’t expensive per se. In fact, the vast majority of the trails can be accessed freely: you only have to pay to get into Los Glaciares National Park, where you hike Perito Moreno and Tierra del Fuego National Park.

The costs of transportation, accommodation, food, and any equipment you may need to buy make a hiking trip to Patagonia expensive.

You can try to cut down the costs by staying in camping sites instead of hotels or hostels – there are some near every major hiking hub, and buying your own food at grocery stores rather than eating out all the time.

The camping sites on the way to Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre, near El Chalten, are free, but they are nothing more than a safe, protected area to pitch a tent. There are no toilets, showers, or other basic services, and you also have to book a space in advance.

Make sure to read my post 30 Things You Should Consider Before Traveling To Patagonia.

Other Useful Information For Hiking In Patagonia

Water

People in Patagonia swear by their water, saying it is absolutely safe to drink. The National Park Service in Patagonia puts a lot of effort into educating visitors on how to keep the streams clean and safe for everyone to drink from and to prevent contamination.

If you are planning a multi-day hike, you don’t have to carry gallons of water on your back, but you can refill at the stream any time you need.

Use your judgment before refilling your bottle, especially if there is livestock roaming the area. Bringing a water bottle with a filter or some chlorine dioxide tablets may be a good idea.

Toilets and garbage disposal

Patagonia is pristine, yet you won’t find garbage bins along the trails, so you’ll have to carry a small bag to put all your garbage in and dispose of it once you go back to town.

Real toilets are scarce across the trails. You will find the occasional hole in the ground kind of toilet, but, for the most part, you’ll have to use the bushes. Make sure to throw your toilet paper in a bag and bring it back to town with you.

Dogs

Dogs and other pets are not allowed in national parks in Chile and Argentina. Before you set to hike, double-check whether the trail you want to tackle is part of a national park or not. Dogs on leash are welcome on trails that are not in national parks.

What to pack when hiking in Patagonia

I won’t ever stress the importance of being properly geared up for a hiking trip. The same obviously goes for a Patagonia hiking trip.

Whether you are planning to only do day hikes or to be out in nature for a few days in a row, pack smartly. Carry everything you need to be comfortable, safe, and warm, but don’t carry too much weight on your shoulders.

The basics include:

• An excellent backpack that distributes the weight you carry across shoulder and hips. I normally use the Osprey Tempest 40 liters.
• A day pack such as Osprey Daylite plus for the day hikes.
• A pair of very good hiking boots with excellent ankle support, and best if waterproof.
• Waterproof hiking pants. I love the Kuhl Kontour Straight.
• A good lightweight cotton t-shirt such as Kuhl W’S Born T.
• A thermal t-shirt such as W’S Wildkard Hybrid Jacket.
• A comfortable fleece – I like Kuhl Alska, plus an extra one in your daypack, in case the weather turns for the worst.
• A good wind proof jacket such as Hydroflex Rain Jacket.
• A beanie and gloves, and even a scarf.
• A refillable water bottle.
• Sunscreen and lip balm.
• A camera. If you are not a photography geek, a smartphone with a good camera will do. Bring a power bank as well!
• Tissues or toilet paper, and a good antibacterial hand gel.

For a more complete packing list, head over to my post Hiking Gear And More: The Perfect Patagonia Packing List.

Travel Insurance

Get a good travel insurance before your Patagonia hiking trip. A lot of locations where you will be hiking are remote, and if something goes wrong, you’ll need to be evacuated – and that is really expensive.

You can get a quote for a good travel insurance on Heymondo.

Make sure to check my post Why You Need A Good Backpacker Travel Insurance.

Guided Hiking Trips In Patagonia

One of the nicest things about hiking in Patagonia is that most of the trails are easy to follow and you can hike independently. Having said so, I do not recommend hiking alone (check out my post 11 Reasons Why Hiking Alone Is Actually A Bad Idea.)

If you don’t feel like planning your trip or if you are short on time but want to make the most of your time in Patagonia, you may want to consider some guided hikes.

This way, you’ll have someone else taking care of all the logistics, and you’ll have an experienced guide help you navigate the trails.

Further Readings

If you are planning a trip to Argentina, make sure to check my other posts:

• A Guide To The Greatest Things To Do In Argentina
• 25 Delicious Argentina Food To Try
• Top 13 Things To Do In Rosario Argentina: An Insider’s Guide!
• A Flash Pack’s Argentina Itinerary
• 15 Amazing National Parks In Argentina
• 32 Unmissable Things To Do In Buenos Aires
• 11 Fantastic Day Trips From Buenos Aires
• A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Buenos Aires
• The Best Argentine Movies

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