Ushuaia Full-Day: Trek the Coastal Path and Canoe Lapataia Bay in Tierra del Fuego
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
A moderate level of fitness: able to walk 7 km over uneven terrain and paddle intermittently for up to 2 hours
Overview
Spend a full day in Tierra del Fuego National Park hiking the seven-kilometer Coastal Path, having a hot lakeside lunch, and paddling inflatable canoes down Lapataia River to the Beagle Channel. This mixed trek-and-paddle tour pairs forest trails with open-water views and local cuisine.
Ushuaia Full-Day: Trek the Coastal Path and Canoe Lapataia Bay in Tierra del Fuego
Select participants and date
A minibus eases away from Ushuaia before dawn and the city’s bright roofs shrink against the slow, steely sweep of the Beagle Channel. The guide points out jagged islands—Redonda, Hoste, Navarino—while salt wind prods at the windows. By the time the group steps onto the trail, the channel has already claimed the morning light and the forest exhales a cool, resinous breath.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress in layers
Weather shifts quickly—bring a waterproof outer layer and insulating mid-layers to stay comfortable during both hiking and canoeing.
Bring waterproof footwear
Trails are often boggy and guides provide rubber boots for canoeing, but sturdy waterproof hiking boots are best for the 7 km coastal path.
Protect electronics
Use a dry bag for cameras and phones during the canoe section to prevent damage from spray and unexpected splashes.
Hydrate and eat
Lunch is included, but carry at least 1–1.5 liters of water and a snack for the morning hike to maintain energy.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Andean condor (occasionally seen soaring above ridgelines)
- Magellanic woodpecker and diverse coastal birdlife including oystercatchers
History
The area preserves traces of the Yámana people, who navigated these channels for millennia; later 19th-century explorers and settlers transformed the coastline with small ports and navigation routes.
Conservation
Tierra del Fuego National Park is managed to protect peat soils and native forests—stay on marked trails and pack out waste to limit erosion and disturbance.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Ushuaia
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof jacket
Keeps rain and wind off during exposed sections along the Beagle Channel.
Waterproof hiking boots
Needed for muddy coastal paths and uneven, root-strewn trails.
Dry bag or waterproof phone case
Protects electronics and extra layers during canoeing.
Insulating mid-layer (fleece or down)
Provides warmth between exertion and wind-exposed paddling stretches.