5-Day Dientes de Navarino Circuit Hike

Welcome and pre-trek technical briefing

To kick off this adventure the right way, you’ll need to arrive in Puerto Williams the day before the trek begins. This day gives you time to settle in, acclimate, and meet our team before heading out on the southernmost route in the world. If you're arriving from Ushuaia, you can add the speedboat crossing to your reservation as an optional extra.

In the afternoon, we’ll meet for a technical briefing (around 5:00 p.m.) where we’ll review the itinerary, trail conditions, and safety guidelines. It’s also the perfect opportunity to meet the rest of the group, ask questions, and finalize any last-minute details.

We’ll provide the gear you’ll use during the expedition: sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and trekking poles, along with your trail rations. Tents, cooking gear, and main food supplies will be carried by our support team.

We’ll wrap up early so you can get a good night’s rest—Day 1 is just around the corner and the adventure is about to begin!

Pick up and start of the trekking

The adventure begins in Puerto Williams, where you'll walk 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the starting point of the Dientes de Navarino trail. You can choose to walk along a gravel road or take advantage of our transfer service, which picks you up at your accommodation and drops you off directly at the trailhead—so you can save your energy for the hike ahead.

The trail begins near a small cabin that serves as a Tourist Information Office and CONAF station, with public restrooms. This is your last connection to civilization before heading into the wilderness.

First challenge: the big climb

With your full pack—including food for 6 days (plus an extra ration just in case)—you’ll take on the steepest climb of the entire circuit: a 1,800-foot (550-meter) ascent over just 2.1 miles (3.4 km).

But don’t worry: the trail is well-marked and protected from the wind as it winds through native sub-Antarctic forest. Along the way, you’ll find viewpoints and benches for rest stops. At the top, you’ll reach Cerro Bandera, where sweeping views of the Beagle Channel reward your effort.

Second challenge: high Andean terrain and the slopes of the Róbalo Valley.

From Cerro Bandera onward, the trail crosses high Andean terrain along the eastern slopes of the Róbalo Valley—a section that can be challenging for those with vertigo due to its exposure. Wind is often strong here, so it’s important to stay close to the rock wall or crouch for safety when needed.

Once you spot Laguna del Salto in the distance, you’ll descend through rocky, unstable gravel until you reach the lake.

Laguna del Salto is an excellent place to spend your first night, with access to clean freshwater and several flat, dry spots for setting up camp. While space is limited, a bit of patience will help you find a comfortable place to rest.

Ascent to the high peaks

After breakfast, Day 2 begins by skirting Laguna del Salto on your right and crossing a small stream. You’ll then follow a second tributary that flows down a steep ravine—this becomes your trail. This section includes a steady climb and likely your first wet boots of the day as you head toward the high peaks of the Dientes de Navarino.

Paso Primero is a stunning mountain pass, often holding snow even in summer. Vegetation here is sparse, limited to resilient cushion plants that thrive in the alpine environment..

Australian Pass

The ascent continues until you reach Paso Australia, which marks the end of the Róbalo Valley. From here, you’ll see Laguna del Paso on the other side—a steep traverse along its right side awaits, and it's one of the most technically demanding parts of the circuit.

⚠️ Outside of summer, this area is often covered in ice and requires technical gear. Even in summer, if the rocks are wet or icy, it’s best to wait until the afternoon when conditions typically improve.

Arrival to the southern sector

Crossing Paso de los Dientes brings you into the southern sector of Navarino Island. In clear weather, you'll be rewarded with sweeping views of Windhond Bay, Laguna del Paso, and—farther south—Nassau Bay and the Cape Horn archipelago.

The trail then flattens out, with gentler terrain and slight descents. On your right, you’ll pass Laguna del Picacho, and to your left stands the dramatic Picacho de los Dientes, rising to 3,668 feet (1,118 meters). Continuing south, you'll enter the Windhond Lake Heritage Trail valley, before turning east toward Laguna de los Dientes, a beautiful and recommended spot for your second night of camping.

The area around Laguna de los Dientes and Cerro Gabriel offers both open sites with panoramic views of the lagoon—ideal for sunrise—and sheltered forest campsites that provide protection from the wind and weather.

Laguna de los Dientes

The trail continues alongside Laguna de los Dientes, which stays on your left as you hike past Cerro Gabriel. From there, you’ll follow a valley to the right, weaving through low forests and peat bogs. You’ll pass near Laguna Escondida, one of the most iconic views of the Dientes de Navarino. Keep it on your right as you cross a stream surrounded by beaver lodges.

As you move deeper into the valley and pass through pockets of woodland, you’ll reach a smaller, more enclosed lagoon where vegetation becomes sparse. The rocky climb up to Paso Ventarrón rewards you with sweeping views: to the south, a lush green valley dotted with lagoons and beaver dams; to the north, the jagged peaks of the Dientes range you’ve just crossed.

Paso Guerrico and Laguna Hermosa

From Paso Ventarrón, you’ll turn west and continue with a gentle ascent followed by a long, exposed descent. This rocky slope is particularly vulnerable to strong winds, so take extra caution until the trail drops into the valley where vegetation offers shelter.

Skirting one last beaver-inhabited lagoon, you’ll arrive at Paso Guerrico. From here, the trail climbs again—first through a forest of twisted trees, then across rocky terrain carpeted with cushion plants. The views toward Laguna Hermosa, on your right, are stunning and will guide your descent.

Near the southern shore of Laguna Martillo, your destination for the night, you’ll find several flat spots perfect for camping. While dry ground is limited, with a little scouting you’ll secure a good place to rest.

Walking among the trees

Before setting off, take a moment to admire Laguna Martillo and the dramatic peaks that surround it. Cerro Clem and the Lindenmayer Mountains stand as a tribute to the explorer who first mapped this route. The trail continues along the left side of the lagoon before making a sharp 90-degree turn to the right, looping away and eventually reconnecting with the opposite shore.

From this point, the trail nearly disappears. You’ll need to navigate carefully through peat bogs, beaver activity zones, and the area around Laguna Rocallosa. Eventually, you’ll reach a forest marking the start of the Virginia Pass ascent.

⚠️ Pay close attention to trail markers here, especially as you enter the forest.

Virginia Pass

The trail gets slightly easier after the forest, but the climb remains strenuous. Continue watching for markers, particularly in the high-altitude zone where vegetation becomes sparse. When you reach a flat area near the source of a stream, take a moment to refill your bottle with fresh water and enjoy the incredible views.

From here, a steady but exposed climb of about 1,640 feet (500 meters) brings you to the highest point of the entire circuit: at 2,782 feet (848 meters) above sea level. Clear visibility is essential in this section—snow ledges and loose rock are common, and it's recommended to follow a compass bearing of 30 degrees to stay on course.

From Virginia pass, you'll enjoy sweeping views northward across the Virginia Valley, the Beagle Channel, and Tierra del Fuego Island.

⚠️ Wind conditions can be extreme here. Use caution, especially along the exposed ledge section at the top.

We start the descent

From Virginia Pass, the trail drops steeply over loose sand, rocks, and gravel until you reach Laguna Los Guanacos. Skirt the lagoon on your right.

The viewpoint over Laguna Los Guanacos is not on the main trail: do not cross the outflow stream. Instead, stay on the left slope, keeping the river on your right, and you’ll soon enter a stunning native forest.

The forest offers several good campsites, and if the weather has been dry, you may also find great spots right by the lagoon.

And if you hear splashing at night—don’t worry. That’s just the beavers reminding you that you’re still in their territory.

Los Guanacos Lagoon - Los Bronces Waterfall

We begin the final day with the last breakfast of our trek. This last section takes you along the right side of Laguna Los Guanacos, crossing peat bogs and small wooded areas. As you exit the forest, a panoramic view of Puerto Williams unfolds in the distance.

You’ll continue along the slope to the right, walking through patches of native forest and calafate bushes, until you reach a large fallen log—this marks the official end of the trail.

But your journey isn’t over just yet: the Dientes de Navarino Circuit ends in a remote area, and you’ll still need to walk nearly 1.2 more miles (2 km), following trails formed by grazing cows and wild horses.

We recommend avoiding the direct route to the MacLean Ex-Fisheries. Instead, take a gentler descent toward Puente de los Bronces, about 1,300 feet (400 meters) to the east. Along this scenic path, you’ll pass through open meadows, small forests, and dense shrubs until you reach the Bronces Waterfall—from there, you’re only 15 minutes away from the main road.

End of the route

After five days of trekking through the wild landscapes of Navarino Island, the circuit officially ends when you reach the road. From there, it’s another 3.7 miles (6 km) of hiking on flatter, more accessible terrain, surrounded by native forests and with views of the Beagle Channel.

If you prefer, you can arrange for our transfer vehicle to pick you up at this point and take you back to your accommodation—an easy and comfortable way to wrap up this one-of-a-kind journey in the southernmost city in the world.