Fin del Mundo Overnighter

• When to go: Late October to early May (late spring to early autumn).
• Logistics: Loop from Ushuaia (endless markets) but no more resupply points until the middle of the route (Puerto Almanza).
• No phone service in most of the route (wifi available at Puerto Almanza).
• The route crosses a rarely used military area, which was deserted in May 2022 and the front gate was wide open, but if you detect any activity, do NOT cross.
• A 4-6 hours of hike-a-biking close to Ushuaia is extremely demanding, the lighter your setup the better!
• It’s easy to find water but it needs to be filtered or boiled (Giardia).
• With rain/snow/frost the roads turn to mud and will slow you down significantly.
• Strong winds can be dangerous and it may be better to camp until they end.
• Additional info: blue market exchange rates are almost double than the official rates, so it’s way more expensive to use cards than to pay in cash.

• The best camping spots are marked on the map, but there are endless wild camping options.
• Abandoned Estancias/Puestos need to be carefully inspected in the warmer months, due to mice (Hantavirus).
• Always hang your food when camping (mice and foxes).
• Take your time to select a good camping spot, be very careful not to camp under/next to dead trees as branches/trees usually fall during the night with the brutal winds.

• Food can be stocked up only in Ushuaia and Puerto Almanza.
• Water is easily available, but it needs to be filtered or boiled before consumption (Giardia).
• There are a couple of roadside restaurants at Puerto Almanza and along Ruta 3.
• During the high season, there might also be a couple of small stores (snacks and beverages) open along Ruta J.

The route leaves the city along the Beagle Canal, usually with a tailwind, first reaching Playa Larga, a Natural Reserve with archeological sites.

After Baliza Escarpados (beacon), the trail starts and the cell phone coverage ends, mainly for the rest of the route. After two miles, you’ll reach Estancia Tunel, one of the oldest settlements in Tierra del Fuego. A few kilometers later, you’ll have to wade Rio Encajonado (usually the water level is below the knee), the biggest of the handful of water crosses along the route and deal with a demanding five-mile hike-a-bike which can take up to 4-6 hours with a light setup.

Two kilometers after the hike-a-bike ends, you’ll reach Punta Segunda and a couple abandoned shelters that aren’t recommended in summer due to mice (not an issue in early spring/autumn), but if needed, you can shelter from the wind next to the buildings. You can refill your water bottles at the river behind the buildings, but always filter or boil your water in Tierra del Fuego to prevent Giardia.

A few miles and water crossings later, you’ll cross Rio Remolino and the beginning of a wide gravel road. This property was used by the Navy for training, and if you detect any military activity, do NOT cross!

Riders used to avoid the gates using a hole in the fence, but when I crossed the last time (May 2022), the gate was wide open and the place was deserted. There’re a few basic shelters inside this property where you’ll be protected from the wind and rain.

The beautiful gravel road along the Beagle Canal will take you through several restaurants, small markets, and cottages to Bahia Almanza. There’s a great campsite next to Rio Almanza and free wifi at the local school’s entrance.

A few kilometers later, there’s a crossroad and you need to turn left to go inland (looping to Ushuaia), but if you keep going straight, you’ll reach Estancia Haberton which might be worth the detour (if open to the public).

You may experience head/sidewinds along Ruta J, but you’re usually protected by vegetation. You’ll also find several small houses along the road and some may sell snacks and beverages in high season. After 12 miles, you’ll find a beautiful place to rest/lunch at Laguna Victoria, and six kilometers later, you’ll reach pavement (Ruta 3).

You’ll need to ride 18 miles on pavement to Ushuaia’s entrance (half downhill), but due the dangerous sidewinds and sometimes heavy traffic on Ruta 3, I just rode on the side of the route (gravel shoulder).

You’ll cross a few restaurants with wifi along the route and 12 kilometers later, you’ll reach Cerro Castor Ski Resort (restaurant and accommodations), where you’ll finally find cell phone coverage again.

If you’re not in a hurry, three miles before Ushuaia’s entrance, there’s a beautiful campsite at Rio Olivia (which is very popular among locals on weekends) before reaching the end of this route.