The day after my arrival, I eagerly ventured out to explore the picturesque Tierra del Fuego National Park, situated in the southern part of the Argentine portion of Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Spanning 630 square kilometers, the park’s entrance is located approximately 11 kilometers outside of Ushuaia. Minibuses to and from the park run throughout the day from town, and upon arrival, there is an entrance fee of about $15. The archipelago itself covers 73,753 square kilometers and is divided between Argentina and Chile.
In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan named the archipelago “Tierra del Fuego” or “Land of Fire” upon observing numerous fires along its coastline, likely lit by its indigenous inhabitants, the Ona, Alakaluf, and Yahgan (Yamana). This encounter set the stage for a fascinating chapter in human history when, in 1830, Robert Fitzroy captured four aboriginals and took them to England, aiming to present them to the King. Three of these individuals would later journey back to their homeland with Charles Darwin aboard the Beagle, where Darwin considered the Fuegans a crucial evolutionary link. This event underscored the deep historical and cultural layers of Tierra del Fuego, marking it as a place of significant scientific and anthropological interest.
On my first day, wanting to avoid anything too physically taxing and having left the hostel later than planned, I opted for an easy walk along the Beagle Channel.
The coastal path hugs the channel’s shoreline within the confines of Tierra del Fuego National Park. Beginning at Ensenada Zaratiegui Bay and tracing its route along Lapataia Bay, it skirts the base of Bellavista Hill. The trail showcases the Beagle Channel’s stunning vistas, rugged coastline offers captivating panoramas of the Redonda and Hoste Islands. It seamlessly merges peaceful pebbly beaches with dense majestic, almost mystical lenga beech forests revealing occasional glimpses of the water through gnarled and mossy trees. As the route gently meandered along terrain with occasional inclines and declines for a distance of 8 kilometers, I encountered colorful berry bushes and local wildlife, such as ashy-headed geese.
It’s one of the most favored hiking trails within the park and for good reason. Navigating the Coastal Path in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, offers a captivating journey through Patagonia’s pristine wilderness. It serves as a gateway to understanding the land’s deep historical roots, silently echoing the presence of the Yamana people, its ancient inhabitants.
