Best wishes for this new year 2017 !!!! It is around a cosy campfire and near the sea, 20 km from Puerto Williams, that The 2016 chapter has been closed. The Argentinean Tierra del Fuego is on the other side of the water, Ushuaia is not far. Around, people from all other the world who, more or less randomly, ended up in the Refugio El Padrino, are gathering.
Refugio El Padrino
We arrived on the Navarino Island on the 24th, beginning almost two months of vacations in Patagonia. Getting off the Ferry from Punta Arenas (30 hours, pretty nice and relaxing) the Refugio El Padrino is right on the other side of the street. Right away the atmosphere is warm and friendly between travelers of all kind, pushed by some curiosity and the desire to discover this little town (2800 people including army). When Cecilia, the owner, comes in to bring fresh goods, a warm wave of kindness and generosity is literally entering as well. Everybody is invited to the Christmas Eve party which is, of course, great despite the cold wind freezing some water on the roadside.
On the 25th, it is time to get on the trail for a 7 days trek. During those last few years, the trek of the Dientes de Navarino has constantly gained popularity: austral landscapes, alpine summits, faint trail and constantly changing weather are ingredients for a perfect small adventure. The loop is actually quite short, around 30 km and could be done relatively quickly. However we are stuck on the island until January 2nd therefor we don’t have to hurry. Why not add a few stretches to the traditional trek with a trip to lake Windhond ? Trouts are supposed to be great there and a small shack offers a good shelter against the wind.
First steps on the trailCerro BanderaBack side of the Dientes
The first steps on the trail are made in the middle of some wonderful woods where dense and twisted trees are drawing a path that leads higher and higher. It is muddy and humid and suddenly the forest stops. It is wide open but the trail is still steep until it reaches a flag at the summit of Cerro Bandera which is an incredible belvedere on the whole island. The tundra slowly merges into a huge boulder field. The path wonders through the mountains weaknesses in order to reach the southern part of the island, going through several passes, the last one offering a stunning view of the Wollaston archipelago that ends in South at Cape Horn. The South side of the island is less covered with woods but the primitive forests are often chaotic and the trail through it is steep and complex. At a lower altitude, beavers dams are numerous as well as the damages they caused. Beavers are not native here. They have been introduced in Tierra del Fuego for their fur, but quickly they spread out on the other side of the Beagle Canal,and, without any predator there, settled pretty well on the island. Their dams are locally increasing the water level and the surrounding trees are dying.
A hiker exploring a mountainous terrain with dramatic peaks and a cloudy sky, showcasing outdoor adventure and nature photography.A stunning mountain landscape featuring a serene lake surrounded by rocky terrain and towering peaks under a dynamic sky.On the way to Passo VirginiaOn the way to Passo VirginiaA weathered wooden barn with a fallen tree in front and a ladder leaning against the side, showcasing rustic countryside charm.
Further and lower, peatland are offering a complex maze of green mossy pods and deep holes of water. It is mandatory to hop from one of this pod to the other during a good hour in order to reach the large Lake Windhond and the Cabana Charles. Trouts are quite big in the river or in the small lake around this little refuge : specimen under 13 inches are actually rare…
Weather is never consistent. The morning sun could quickly disappear and in minutes a snow shower could come. Anyway, once on the trek it is mandatory to keep going… a good strategy is to push harder when the weather is nice to go further and set the tent on a dry and sheltered spot.
Back side of the Dientes
Day after day the story is similar: a little bit of water, wind, a tiny bit of sun, amazing lakes, windy passes, complex itinerary, mud… we are finally really lucky, almost dry, head full of images and with a hard to describe feeling to have stepped somewhere special. Landscape is not as amazing as some other places like the Huayhuash trek in Peru, but it is the gathering of all those little things that makes this trek a truly special one.
However this experience is not only about trekking: the global atmosphere, the warm welcome, the kindness of the people we met… are part of this rich adventure. Coming back to Punta Arenas puts an end to this first Patagonian chapter.
Fin du Monde
Puerto Williams
Deep in the woodsThe Dientes finaly !Beagle Canal and Tierra del Fuego on the other sideLeaving the woodsBeaver! Hoping from green pod to green podSnow and wind on a daily basis
Full slideshow - Diaporama
Deep in the woods
A hiker exploring a dense, vibrant forest with tall trees and lush foliage, capturing the essence of outdoor adventure and nature photography.
On the way to Passo Virginia
A stunning mountain scene featuring a lake, rugged terrain, and a dramatic cloudy sky, captured by Olivier Steiner Photography.
A stunning mountain landscape featuring a serene lake surrounded by rocky terrain and towering peaks under a dynamic sky.
This image showcases a breathtaking mountain scene with a tranquil lake, dramatic peaks, and a mix of clouds and blue sky, highlighting natural beauty.
Hoping from green pod to green pod
A person with a backpack walking through a vibrant wetland landscape, surrounded by greenery and cloudy skies, showcasing outdoor adventure photography.
A damaged wooden shed and fallen trees after a storm in a forested area, with dark clouds overhead.
This image shows the aftermath of a storm in a forest, featuring fallen trees, a damaged shed, and a cloudy sky, highlighting storm destruction.
A hiker with a backpack walking along a rocky trail in the Andes, surrounded by rugged peaks and a vibrant sky.
A solo hiker with a backpack traverses a mountain trail in the Andes, showcasing stunning peaks, lakes, and dramatic cloud formations.
Beagle Canal and Tierra del Fuego on the other side
A stunning panoramic view of a mountain lake surrounded by hills and dramatic cloud formations, showcasing natural beauty and landscape photography skills.
First steps on the trail
A scenic forest trail surrounded by tall trees and dense foliage, perfect for capturing natural landscapes and outdoor exploration.
At one of the highest pass - Passo Australia
A hiker taking a break on a rocky mountain trail surrounded by rugged peaks and a cloudy sky, showcasing outdoor adventure photography.
View on the Wollaston archipelago.
A hiker in a blue jacket exploring a rocky mountain landscape with steep slopes and a clear blue sky.
The Dientes finaly !
A stunning mountain landscape featuring jagged peaks, green valleys, and a partly cloudy sky, captured by Olivier Steiner Photography.
Cabana Charles
A weathered wooden barn with a fallen tree in front and a ladder leaning against it, showcasing rural architecture and natural elements.
Detailed map of the Torres del Paine trekking route with camps, lakes, and peaks.
This map shows the hiking trail, campsites, lakes, and peaks in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, for outdoor adventure planning.
Refugio El Padrino
A woman sitting on a wooden balcony of Refugio El Padrino in Dientes de Navarino, with vibrant sky and remote village scenery.
A hiker exploring a mountainous terrain with dramatic peaks and a cloudy sky, showcasing outdoor adventure and nature photography.
This image features a hiker on a mountain trail surrounded by rugged peaks and a cloudy sky, highlighting outdoor exploration and landscape photography.
Scenic view of Dientes de Navarino's End of the World village, featuring colorful homes, mountain backdrop, and overcast weather.
A quiet street in Dientes de Navarino's End of the World village, showcasing colorful houses, mountain scenery, and cloudy skies, capturing remote Patagonia charm.
Back side of the Dientes
A stunning mountain landscape featuring rugged peaks, a valley, and a partly cloudy sky, captured by Olivier Steiner Photography.
A weathered wooden barn with a fallen tree in front and a ladder leaning against the side, showcasing rustic countryside charm.
This image features a rustic wooden barn with a fallen tree in front, highlighting rural architecture and natural elements in a countryside setting.
Beaver!
A bear is seen resting on a log beside a calm lake, surrounded by lush greenery and natural wilderness, captured by Olivier Steiner Photography.
Cerro Bandera
A hiker stands on a mountain ridge near a French flag, with dramatic clouds and rugged terrain in the background.
Puerto Williams
A scenic view of a small coastal village at Dientes de Navarino, featuring colorful houses, rugged landscape, and dramatic weather, emphasizing remote natural beauty.
First bivouac.
Scenic mountain lake with rocky cliffs, mossy shores, and a red tent, showcasing outdoor adventure and nature photography.
On the way to Passo Virginia
A scenic mountain landscape featuring lakes, rugged peaks, and a dramatic cloudy sky, showcasing natural beauty and outdoor adventure photography.
Scenic mountain landscape featuring a small lake, rugged terrain, and a hiker exploring the wilderness.
A breathtaking mountain scene with a tiny lake nestled between rocky slopes, showcasing rugged terrain and a lone hiker enjoying nature.
First glimpse at the Dientes
A stunning mountain scene featuring rocky slopes, green moss, and distant snow-capped peaks under a cloudy sky.
Leaving the woods
A person hiking through a vibrant green forest with a scenic lake and mountain backdrop, capturing outdoor adventure and nature photography.
End of the world
A sign reading "Usted está en el fin del mundo" (You are at the end of the world) in Navarino, Patagonia, with vibrant murals and purple flowers.
Back side of the Dientes
Scenic view of Dientes de Navarino mountains, featuring a river, lush greenery, and dramatic clouds in Patagonia, Chile.
Cold morning or the way to Mount Betineli
A scenic mountain landscape featuring a hiker near a lake, snow patches, and dramatic clouds, showcasing outdoor adventure photography.
Cabana Charles near Lake Windhond - a côté du lac Windhond
A rugged mountain scene featuring fallen trees, a small tent, and a weathered wooden structure, capturing the raw beauty of nature and outdoor adventure.
It was my first guided hike of the 2026 summer season. Just hiking boots, no snowshoes. Of course, above 2,400 m we met some large snow patches, most of them firm enough to allow steady progress. On such terrain, there…
It was supposed to be a regular day in the mountains. A bit busy maybe, as I was planning to scout two different hikes in the French Chablais. The morning was already amazing: hiking alone in some fresh early‑November snow,…
Thirteen years ago, I set off on a small adventure with my young dog Dyno. Southern Colorado, autumn, the Rocky Mountains. A Haute Route in mind, a bad weather forecast, and a four-legged companion discovering the high country for the very first time. From that week I keep golden colours, an immense silence, and the memory of a bond just beginning.
Near Yellowstone National Park, across Montana and Wyoming, the Absaroka Mountains are offering an awesome playground… Here is a little description of a very small part of this huge wilderness area.
You might have thought about visiting Olympic National Park, but what about doing it in October, during the low season, when you can be sure to get a much wilder experience ?
