Argentina, Tierra del Fuego. During a stay in Ushuaia, a visit to the southernmost national park of Argentina is a must. You can explore the park in many ways. A very special one I would like to introduce to you in my following article: A train ride in the Tierra del Fuego National Park with the historic Tren del Fin del Mundo. Learn more about the southernmost train in the world and which highlights you can experience on the day trip by train and bus in the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Advertising. The article contains affiliate links*.
With the Tren del Fin del Mundo through the Tierra del Fuego National Park
The Tren del Fin del Mundo (train at the end of the world) is the southernmost railway in the world and certainly one of the highlights in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. The narrow-gauge railway runs with historical steam locomotives and modern heated carriages. On seven kilometres it goes through the Tierra del Fuego National Park, past the river Pipo, through swamps and forest. With a little luck you may even see wild horses.
The railway station "the end of the world" is located about eight kilometres west of Ushuaia. While you are waiting for your train to depart, you can find out about the history of the train in an exhibition. There is also a café and a souvenir shop.
Unfortunately the train is completely closed. So there's no way to take pictures without a window between the camera and the motif. Only at the short stopover at the Macarena waterfall are outdoor shots with a panoramic view of the Pipo Valley of the National Park possible.
Only seven kilometres of the old 25 kilometre long railway line are left today. The line was built by prisoners at that time. During the period between 1909 and 1952, construction materials and wood were transported to the prison by train. In 1952, however, the company was closed down.
Further highlights in the National Park Tierra del Fuego
After arriving at the train station in the national park, we continue with the minibus. We drive on the Ruta 3 further into the national park up to the Lapataia Bay. Ruta 3, also known as Panamericana and legendary, ends here. Therefore, the sign of the Ruta 3 is also a popular location for a souvenir photo.
From the car park at the end of Ruta 3, continue along a wooden path. From here the view of Lapataia Bay is most beautiful.
The 63,000 hectare Tierra del Fuego National Park was founded in 1960 and has since protected a mountainous coastal area with forests, moors, rivers and lakes. The park is easily accessible by bus, taxi or rental car. There is also a wide range of organised excursions, such as a combined train and bus tour*. Außerdem gibt es Ausritte, Kajaking oder 4×4-Touren an den Seen entlang.
The main attraction of the park is the nature itself. And in order to really enjoy the park, there are several marked hiking trails. You can do shorter hikes at Lapataia Bay, Lago Roca near the visitor centre or at Laguna Negra. And if you have a little more time, you have the possibility for longer hikes, especially in the southern part of the park. Particularly popular hikes are:
- The only 600 meters long Senda de la Isla leads over the island in the Río Lapataia. Starting point is the visitor centre.
- The Senda de la Baliza starts at the parking lot at the end of the Ruta 3. It is 950 metres long and leads through the forest up to a beacon of the Río Lapataia.
- The Senda Hito XXIII leads you 2 kilometers along the Lago Roca up to the border to Chile.
- The Senda Cerro del Guanaco takes you to the mountain Cerro del Guanaco. From here you have a great panoramic view over the park.
- The Senda Costera is 6.5 kilometers long and has some climbs. It leads from the Bahía Ensenada to the Río Lapataia.
A visit of the Post Office of the End of the World (Correo del fin del Mundo) at the Bahía Ensenada is also popular. Here you can have your postcards stamped.
Here you come back to my article about Tips and Highlights in Ushuaia and Surroundings.
Have you ever been to Tierra del Fuego National Park yourself? How did you like it and what were your highlights? Do you have any questions about my article or further suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!
