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Navarino Island Reserve adventures

Navarino Island Reserve Adventures

Navarino Island Reserve is a remote and pristine protected area in southern Chile, renowned for its rugged landscapes, dense forests, and rich biodiversity, making it a prime destination for adventure hiking and wildlife viewing near the southernmost city of Puerto Williams.

350,000
Acres Protected
50+
Miles of Trails
5,000–7,000
Annual Visitors
2005
Year Established

About Navarino Island Reserve

 

Situated in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Navarino Island Reserve encompasses a vast and wild landscape distinguished by its steep mountainous terrain, ancient subantarctic forests, peat bogs, and fjord-like coastal areas. The reserve surrounds parts of Navarino Island, which is the largest island south of the Beagle Channel. This remote wilderness is most famous for the Dientes de Navarino Circuit, widely considered one of the southernmost trekking circuits in the world, offering challenging backcountry hiking through lenga and ñirre forests, alpine passes, and glacial valleys. The area supports a diverse array of wildlife, including Andean condors, Magellanic woodpeckers, and endemic plants adapted to the cold and windy environment. Historically, the island has been inhabited by the Yaghan people, and today it serves as a vital conservation zone providing habitat protection and preserving the cultural legacy of the region. Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn here for hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, and experiencing an otherworldly Patagonian wilderness far from heavy tourism. Visitor appeal lies in its unmatched sense of solitude, dramatic vistas of snow-capped peaks and coastal fjords, and ecologically significant landscapes that reflect the harsh southern climate. Access is primarily through Puerto Williams, the world’s southernmost town, and visitors should be prepared for rapidly changing weather and rugged trail conditions.

Highlights

Highlight

Dientes de Navarino Trek – challenging multi-day circuit with dramatic mountain views

Highlight

Subantarctic Beech Forests – unique lenga and ñirre woodlands endemic to the region

Highlight

Birdwatching opportunities for endemic and rare species like the Magellanic woodpecker

Highlight

Remote fjords and coastal scenery accessible by kayak or boat

Notable Natural Features

Dientes de Navarino

A jagged mountain range known as the 'Teeth of Navarino' offering rugged alpine terrain and some of the southernmost trekking routes on Earth.

Lenga and Ñirre Forests

Ancient southern beech forests that dominate the landscape, providing essential habitat for wildlife and unique botanical diversity.

Puerto Williams

The gateway town located on Navarino Island, offering essential services, cultural connections, and the starting point for expeditions.