Everyone knows the brand Patagonia, but do they know its real-life inspiration?
Spanning both Chile and Argentina, this wild and untamed region of South America is famous for its diverse landscapes. Vast grasslands, temperate rainforests, rugged mountains and humongous glaciers coexist across the southern end of the continent. With such stunning environments, it’s clear to see why a certain company selling outdoor gear would be smitten with it.
And there’s plenty of activities here you can do with their gear! From hiking and mountain biking to whale-watching and kayaking, the Patagonian wilds are a Mecca for outdoors enthusiasts.
Here’s a little taste of the wild and wonderful adventures to be found in Patagonia:
Hiking
Sometimes all you need for an adventure is your own two feet. And Patagonia definitely has plenty to keep them busy!
Starting from the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, you get trails that circle around turquoise blue glacier lakes, scale towering mountain ranges and wind through alpine grasslands. Must-see locations in the park include the stark, triple towers of the Torres del Paine and the charming greenery of the French Valley.
Or, if you have an icy fixation, head to Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, which features the absolutely titanic Perito Moreno Glacier and its imposing wall of ancient ice. Hikes here can take you around the glacier lake or even on top of the glacier itself, where you’ll navigate rivers and crevasses on top of the icy behemoth.
Los Glaciares’ other famous resident is Mount Fitz Roy, which boasts multiple barren spires reaching for the heavens along with a pristine teal blue highland lake. The fact that hikers regularly book out the shelters on the O and W routes (named for their shapes) just to catch a view of the usually cloudy peak is a testament to its grandeur and beauty.
Reflecting Patagonia’s diverse natural landscapes, the Queulat National Park offers hikers a dense, temperate rainforest full of moss-covered trees, ferns and criss-crossing glacial rivers that almost feels lost in time.
Peer out of a clearing though, and you just might spot the source of all that river water – the jaw-dropping falls of the Ventisquero Colgante glacier. Cascading down from almost 550 meters high, it is ranked as one of South America’s tallest waterfalls! The striking contrast between glaciers and falls above with rainforest and rivers below is undoubtedly one of Patagonia’s best kept secrets.
Tips: Hiking season in Patagonia usually falls on the warmer summer months between December and January. Make sure to bring a decent windbreaker gear though, as winds here can be blistering at times, with gusts up to 120km/h.
Sailing and Cruising
Surrounded by both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Patagonia’s waters draw many nautical explorers from all over the world. However, any sailor must beware of the strong winds and unpredictable currents that are typical here. Thus, joining experienced and safety-minded voyages is highly recommended for casual, first-time visitors.
If you’re still willing to brave the winds and waves, then the inland fjords and channels fed by Patagonia’s glaciers hold some of the most stunning views of the region. Here, the stark landscape, looming glaciers and snowcapped peaks blend together to create exhilarating sights as you sail the waves.
But, if you’re looking for a truly death-defying Patagonian voyage, then Cape Horn is your target. Located at the southernmost tip of the South American continent between the Atlantic and Pacific, this area is called The End of the World for good reason. Here, violent winds and storms frequently whip the seas here into a frenzy while icebergs pose additional hazards during winter. If you manage to manage the stomach-churning seas though, you’ll be rewarded with the raw, hulking edifice of Cape Horn itself.
Cruises are also widely available for those who prefer comfort during a voyage, taking you across the region’s waters in style. Frequent stops include the world’s southernmost city of Ushuaia in Chile and the historical port town of Punta Arenas.
Animal-Watching
Although marked by harsh and unforgiving landscapes, the lands and seas of Patagonia still manage to sustain a staggeringly diverse array of wildlife.
On land, various estancia or ranches dotted around the verdant grasslands sustain cattle and horses. And once you get on top of a fine horse, and you’ll be exploring the vast plains by horseback in no time. On your forays into the wild, you may even spot other terrestrial creatures such as the llama-like guanaco and vicuna, not to mention various deer, birds and-if you’re lucky, even a puma! Hopefully far away for that last one!
Moving out to the southern seas, you start to see the hardier side of life, with most animals adapting to the harsh subantarctic climate. A great place to see this is at Magdalena Island, which hosts a large population of Magellan penguins, which can reach up to 120,000 individuals during their breeding season from September to March (February is their peak breeding season).
Further out to sea, around the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina, sleek dolphins leap and somersault out of the freezing waters as petite seals and lumbering sea lions chill on the coasts. However, dwarfing them all with its sheer size is the unmistakable but rarely spotted blue whale, which can only be found in the waters of the Francisco Coloane Marine Park and Tantauco Park. The majestic sight of them soaring through the air before landing with a roar is enough to leave any visitor speechless.
No less fascinating is the southern right whale which frequents the waters of Argentina. Distinguished by white bumps on their heads, they often playfully raise their tail to catch the wind or swim up to boats out of curiosity.
Kayaking and Rafting
Thanks to its geology of glacial rivers, fjords and lakes, Patagonia is ripe for some kayak adventures!
Equipped with boat and oar, paddle next to alien-looking icebergs (no Titanic here thankfully), cut through forested fjords and bask in the grand lake views of the Andes mountains. Prime kayaking areas here include the Chilean Lake District and Torres Del Paine National Park, where various adventure companies offer day trips or even multi-day expeditions that navigate the untouched wilderness of Patagonia by river.
But if you’re a “the more, the merrier” type of traveller, then rafting might be your calling. Don’t let the cold and icy Patagonia image fool you, as powerful, churning whitewater rapids and rivers are plenty common around here. Riding bumpy rapids amidst the powerful sky-blue waters with nothing but your oar and fellow traveller to guide you – what’s more thrilling than that? Eager rafters should try out the Futaleufú River, which takes you across rollercoaster rapids before rewarding you with wonderful forest vistas.
Mountain Biking
Riding by mountain bike is yet another way to enjoy the Patagonian wilds.
Though car road trips through Chile’s Carretera Austral and Argentina’s Ruta 40 are popular, why not give your legs the workout they deserve with a bike ride instead? In return for sore legs and bruised butts, you’ll be rewarded with priceless views of the Patagonian plains and peaks as a torrent of cold Andean air brushes your skin.
The star recommendation for biking in Patagonia can be found in the Lake District of Argentina and Chile. Called the Route of the Seven Lakes, this spellbinding bike route weaves across a fantastic variety of wild landscapes in both nations.
In Argentina, the Route of the Seven Lakes starts from the town of Villa La Angostura and ends at the city of San Martín de los Andes. Along the way, a whopping seven sapphire-tinted lakes surrounded by alpine forests and peaks constantly keep you occupied, if not mesmerized during your cycling journey.
Meanwhile, the Chilean side takes you between the cities of Temuco to Puerto Montt, treating you to volcanic wonders like the Mount Fuji-ish Osorno Volcano or dreamy sanctuaries like the Ojos de Cabugu falls. Make sure to stop by the charming German-inspired alpine towns in the region too!
As with most of Patagonia, summer (December – March) is usually the best time to bike due to its warmer temperatures and to avoid the freezing bite of winter. The region’s northwestern winds also mean that you should plan your route from north to south to go with the wild winds instead of against them.
Whether it’s hiking, sailing or animal-watching, the Patagonian region is bursting with activities for the outdoorsy traveller. So, which one will you try first?
For more outdoors adventures, check out our guides to diving destinations around the world, the spectacular peaks and canyons of China along with Kenya’s hidden nature retreats.
Sources
https://www.swoop-patagonia.com/
https://www.swoop-patagonia.com/visit
https://www.switchbacktravel.com/patagonia/lake-district
