Map

The south of the south, by land and air See map

Planes

Ushuaia, and especially its natural environment, begs to be seen from the air, if weather allows it. On cloudless days, there's nothing like getting on the various planes that leave from the local airfield runway and make a flyby of variable duration, depending on the willingness and availability. Rusty mountains in fall, with small lagoons and hidden high glaciers worth the expense. 

There is, of course, the possibility of going by land to the National Park, going down the road flanked by dense forest, to the extreme southern Lapataia Bay. In conventional bus, the ride takes about four hours. You can also get another traditional look crossing the mountains to lake Escondido (5 hours) or to Fagnano (7 hours). In any case, stop "forced" worthwhile, such as the "winter resorts", inns which are all different and where often is served barbecued Patagonian lamb, stews and other local foods.

The visitor can go on their own to such sites (on regular vans), to see by first hand the founders, all those character as the polar hero of Argentina Gustavo Giró in "Tierra Mayor",   Mono Lovece staff of "Las Cotorras" or the Gato Curuchet, a tireless promoter of racing sled dogs in "Altos del Valle". There are other centers like Haruwen, also attended by its owner, Damián Muriel, a young scion of a pioneer family of Tierra del Fuego.

The autumn season is ideal to visit these inns, because it can be witnessed preparations for the winter training of huskies, the assembly of the sled, among other attractions.

Train

Another way to tour around Ushuaia and the National Park is to take the End of the World Train, which is really called "Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino". The roads, narrow gauge, run by the trace left by the prisoners-loggers of the famous prison of Tierra del Fuego. During the journey, the convoy pulled usually by a steam locomotive passes through forests cut at that time, while the guide (which is the station chief) described the human and natural history of Ushuaia in detail.

The little train looks like a toy and responds to a more ambitious project, which perhaps made the railway track to reach the center of the capital of Tierra del Fuego, as was some time in the first half of the twentieth century. For now, there are only two stops: the End of the World Station, which is the main railway workshops and confectionery, and Park Station.

Chairlift

A land and aerial trip at the same time is the Martial Glacier chairlift, which runs daily from 10 to 16 hours. It allows the best view of the city, the canal that surrounds it and the nearby islands and islets. In addition, following a walking trail it can be accessed, after an hour or two, until the base of the glacier that crowns the city. If the day is clear, it is almost like flying.

Walks

Like this, the alternatives of walks in the mountains of Ushuaia are many and depend on the physical condition and the time each can devote to them. In all cases, you should hire local guides, especially this time of year when lost in the forest can mean spending the night outdoors, with freezing temperatures and possible snow at night. There are also upgrades to the most prominent hills, as the Alvear (10 hours), although such services requires some basic knowledge of mountain climbing.

Horseback Riding

Autumn has the option of the last rides before the snow. A track runs Pipo River area (3 hours) and another up to the slopes of Mount Susana, but there is freedom to suggest a different walk to the cowboys.

Bike

Those who prefer bikes, scheduled tours can be arranged (National Park, 8-hour) or rent a bike.

4x4

Not long ago, the city offers a 4x4 rides to points of geographic or natural interest. A circuit is to Lakes Escondido and Fagnano, and then visit the Shenoish hill and lake Yehuin. Another is devoted to watching beavers, animals that are the subject of local controversy. Some want to exterminate them, while others protect them. Is that this rodent, introduced a half century ago to start a local fur industry, is destroying the rainforest with its banks, but in return is a strong attraction for tourists.