Why Visit Patagonia?
Located at the southern end of South America, Patagonia is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The landscapes, the culture, the food, and of course, the hiking, make for an absolutely incredible adventure. Hikers and adventure seekers from around the world visit Patagonia every year to experience trails and sights you just can’t get anywhere else.
Governed by Chile and Argentina, Patagonia used to be mainly visited by experienced backpackers looking to go off the grid and experience the National Parks, glaciers and wilderness on their own, but in the 2nd half of the 20th century tourism has become a large part of the area’s economy.
Guided hikes and treks, incredible cruises and making lifelong memories are now an essential part of the Patagonia experience. At MT Sobek, we offer a variety of adventure trips geared towards all skill levels to help you explore this area of the world.
Hiking and trekking adventures are among the most popular trips offered in the area and for good reason. Snowcapped mountains, incredible glaciers, amazing lakes and rivers are just some of the things that Patagonia offers to its visitors.
We have no doubt that once you visit, you’ll want to immediately start planning your next Patagonia active adventure!
What to Know Before You Go to Patagonia
Planning a hiking trip to Patagonia can be time consuming and difficult if you’ve never been to South America before. Understanding the different hiking trails and guided tours will help you in the long run before you even step foot on the ground. We recommend using an adventure travel company to help ensure that you have everything planned correctly so that you can take in as much of beauty of the region as you possibly can.
Once you have your trip booked there are some things you should know before setting off on your adventure. There are things you’ll want to know and understand about hiking in Patagonia before you ever even leave your house, and we’re here to help.
Overview
- Climate in Patagonia
- What to Wear and What to Pack for Patagonia
- Guided Tour vs. Walk On Your Own in Patagonia
- Popular Hiking Trails in Patagonia
- Be Mindful of the Wildlife and the Environment
- In Conclusion
1. Climate in Patagonia
Understanding what the climate is like in Patagonia, as well as the terrain that you’ll be experiencing, will help you understand how your days will be spent, what to wear and what you should expect to pack.
While Patagonia is located in South America, it’s located at the southern-most point of the continent. This means that you’re going to be further away from the equator and thus the temperatures are not going to be hot like you may expect from South America.
A lot of people think of warm beaches and tropical rainforests when they think of South America, but the climate in Patagonia can vary depending on where you are visiting. If you’re near the northern end you will experience wetter and warmer climate, but the southern areas lend themselves to cooler temperatures with less precipitation.
Understanding what areas you are going to be visiting will give you a better idea of what to pack and what you’ll be wearing.
2. What to Wear and What to Pack for Patagonia
Once you have an idea of what area of Patagonia you’ll be exploring, you’ll be able to figure out what makes sense to pack and what doesn’t.
When hiking Patagonia the key is to make sure you have enough clothes to help you remain comfortable no matter what weather you run into. Between elevation changes, environmental factors and unpredictable weather patterns, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared for anything.
While out on your hikes be sure to have a good pair of hiking boots as well as comfortable/warm socks. The layering of your pants and shirts/jackets is also very important so that you’re able to take off layers as you get warm and add layers as you get cold.
Bringing a backpack with you is essential so you can carry extra items as well. Extra socks and waterproof clothing, first-aid kit, water and snacks will help ensure that you’re hydrated and energized while never being cold or wet.
3. Guided Tour vs. Walk on Your Own in Patagonia?
If you’re booking your trip without the help of an adventure travel expert, one of the things you’ll want to determine is if you want to experience these hikes on your own or if you would prefer to have a guided tour.
Both experiences have their pros and cons, so it’s all up to how you want your journey to go. If you’re looking to go on an adventure by yourself, or with your own group of friends, and you are comfortable reading a map and understanding trail hiking, then self-guided is the way to go.
You can go at your own pace, take time to relax and enjoy the scenery and experience the trip as you want to experience it. The more popular trails in Patagonia are very well marked and you should not be worried about getting lost or straying off track.
If you’re the type of person that doesn’t want to have to pay attention to signs or worry about taking a wrong turn, then a guided tour may be more your speed. Most guides that you’ll find for these hikes through Patagonia are well versed in all aspects of the trails from cool things to be on the lookout for, wildlife in the area, plant life and more.
Guided tours can be more of an educational experience when compared to solo hikes, but there are many apps and books you can bring along on a solo trip to keep you informed as well.
4. Popular Hiking Trails in Patagonia
There are a wide variety of trails to hike throughout Patagonia, so understanding which trail is right for you before you head out is very important. Some trails may be out of reach depending on the locations that you plan to stay, but no matter where you are, you’re always going to find a trail that will give you some of the most amazing scenic views you’ve ever seen.
Two of the most popular trails in Patagonia are known as The W Trek through Torres Del Paine National Park and The O Circuit, which includes The W Trek and adds another 50 kilometers to your journey through the backcountry.
If you’re looking to experience the best parts of Patagonia while hiking, then you can’t go wrong with either of these two adventures. Both options offer the ability to camp throughout the hikes or shack up in more hotel-like accommodations.
You can experience Patagonia exactly how you want to experience it, sleeping in a tent amongst the stars or relaxing each night in a more comfortable bed. You can absolutely tailor your experience to fit your needs and desires, just be sure to plan your nights ahead of time. You don’t want to be caught unprepared when night falls, it can get cold outside.
Researching which hiking trails and sleeping accommodations you want to experience before you finalize your trip is extremely important as it will dictate all aspects of the trip itself.
5. Be Mindful of the Wildlife and the Environment
Most adventure travelers know that one of the most important rules when hiking, camping and backpacking through these natural regions is that you leave the area better than you left it and you don’t disturb anything that isn’t meant to be disturbed.
Staying on the marked trails and campsites will help ensure that the environment around you stays as nature intended. Going off the path or camping where you’re not supposed to can lead to irreparable damage, not to mention increased risk of danger.
Patagonia is known for the Patagonia puma, which roam the backcountry in search of food and shelter. In fact, the Torres del Paine National Park is home to between 50-200 pumas while Patagonia itself has the highest density of pumas anywhere in the world.
While the pumas are not known to attack humans, and generally keep to themselves away from the highly trafficked trails, it’s still important to know that they are out there and could be dangerous if you venture away from the marked paths.
Hiking Patagonia is an extremely beautiful experience, so you should leave the trails and campsites better than you found them so that the next groups of travelers can experience the beauty just as you did. Cleaning up your garbage and your campsite is a great way to ensure the National Park continues to amaze visitors for years to come. View MT Sobek’s Patagonia Active Adventures.
In Conclusion
Need some travel inspiration? Take a peek at these!
- Photo Gallery Reflections of Patagonia
- Patagonia: An Unsung Wildlife Destination
- The Best Gear for Hiking in Patagonia
- See Where We’ve Been in 2022
There’s almost nowhere in the world as beautiful as Patagonia when it comes to hiking trails. The glaciers, mountains, lakes and valleys are among some of the incredible views you’ll get to discover as you make your way through vast landscape.
Being prepared for the trails, and knowing to what to expect, can make all the difference between a decent trip and an amazing trip. Do your research before booking any flights or hotels, understand where the trails run and how long they may take you, determine your level of comfort when it comes to more advanced trails and investigate how the weather patterns can change between the different areas of Patagonia.
As long as you’re prepared for this once-in-a-lifetime hiking adventure through Patagonia, we guarantee that you will have an incredible time that will resonate with you for the rest of your life.
Ready to explore new travel destinations in 2023? Learn more about MT Sobek’s hiking and trekking adventures in Patagonia here.