Guided Trek to Laguna Esmeralda from Ushuaia — 6‑Hour Hike with Lunch

Ushuaia•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

6 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for anyone in regular walking condition—able to handle 9 km with some uneven and muddy sections.

Overview

A six‑hour guided hike from Ushuaia to Laguna Esmeralda takes you through glacial valleys, beaver-altered wetlands and lenga forest to a brilliant turquoise lagoon. This moderate 9 km round‑trip trek includes transport, a boxed lunch and local guiding—ideal for travelers who want a full-day taste of Tierra del Fuego.

Guided Trek to Laguna Esmeralda from Ushuaia — 6‑Hour Hike with Lunch

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Bus Tour

Wildlife

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Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The trail opens like a page in an atlas: a narrow ribbon of mud and roots threading into lenga forest, wind pushing across the valley as if testing your pace. You leave Ushuaia behind in a van, the city shrinking to a smudge of roofs and harbour cranes, then the Andes fold up around you and the air takes on a metallic edge. By the time the guide gathers the group at the Valle de Lobos trailhead, the forest is already speaking—rivers daring you onward, peat bogs holding the day’s damp like memory.

Adventure Photos

Guided Trek to Laguna Esmeralda from Ushuaia — 6‑Hour Hike with Lunch photo 1

Adventure Tips

Wear waterproof boots

Expect peat bogs and stream crossings—boots with ankle support and good tread keep you dry and steady.

Bring a rain shell and wind layer

Weather shifts quickly; a light waterproof shell and windproof layer make the difference between a slog and a comfortable hike.

Carry 1.5 liters of water

Even on a cool day you’ll need fluids—pack a refillable bottle as there’s no potable water on the trailhead.

Stay on boardwalks and marked trails

Raised peat is fragile and slow to recover—keep to the path to protect the ecosystem and avoid getting stuck.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Andean goose
Tracks of beaver (Castor canadensis) and occasional red fox sightings

History

The area around Ushuaia was historically used by the Yamana people and later reshaped by European settlers and introduced species such as beavers, which have dramatically altered local wetlands.

Conservation

Peat bogs in Tierra del Fuego store carbon and recover slowly from disturbance—staying on trails and avoiding off-trail shortcuts reduces long-term damage.