×

Chile🇨🇱 | hikesDientes de NavarinoSouthernmost circuit, jagged dark teeth, scree passes, no huts | things to do and best time to go

Explore W TrekExplore Valle de la Luna

Backpacking in Dientes de Navarino
🌟 Highlighthike ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Dientes de Navarino is the southernmost trekking circuit on Earth with a marked route, and no road, shuttle or trail hut serves it. It sits on Isla Navarino in Chile’s Tierra del Fuego region, south of the Beagle Channel and reached from Puerto Williams. The loop runs about 53 kilometers over four to five days, with steep scree passes and poor markers in mist, so it suits experienced walkers with navigation skills. Costs and delays catch people out: ferries and flights to Puerto Williams fill up, so book them before you commit to dates, and register with the carabineros before setting off. Carry all food, because nothing is sold on the trail. Water is plentiful, so you can skip heavy carrying. A local at the guesthouse told me to pack a spare day because the wind decides, not the map. The last view I recall is Laguna del Salto, flat and slate-gray beneath the jagged teeth of rock.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Chile Travel Guide.
Best time to go: October - March
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 53 kilometers
Total ascent: 2500 meters


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 hike in Chile
The unique appeal for travelers

Dientes de Navarino draws backpackers because the trail is truly remote yet needs no guide, permit fee or expensive gear rental. You start walking from the edge of Puerto Williams, the world’s southernmost town, and within hours you are above treeline among lenga forest, peat bogs and beaver-flooded valleys. The scenery changes fast, from Cerro Bandera and its views over the Beagle Channel to lakes tucked beneath sharp schist spires, so a few days feel like a full expedition. The route also fits neatly into a longer Patagonia journey, since it is reached by short flight or ferry from Punta Arenas and pairs well with Torres del Paine or Ushuaia across the water. Its 53-kilometer loop is flexible too. Strong hikers can finish in four days, while others can take five and use the extra time to … read more 👉
Dientes de Navarino draws backpackers because the trail is truly remote yet needs no guide, permit fee or expensive gear rental. You start walking from the edge of Puerto Williams, the world’s southernmost town, and within hours you are above treeline among lenga forest, peat bogs and beaver-flooded valleys. The scenery changes fast, from Cerro Bandera and its views over the Beagle Channel to lakes tucked beneath sharp schist spires, so a few days feel like a full expedition. The route also fits neatly into a longer Patagonia journey, since it is reached by short flight or ferry from Punta Arenas and pairs well with Torres del Paine or Ushuaia across the water. Its 53-kilometer loop is flexible too. Strong hikers can finish in four days, while others can take five and use the extra time to wait out storms. Crowds are thin, so you often camp alone beside a lake.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while hiking the Dientes de Navarino

  1. Dientes de Navarino Circuit Spires: The jagged peaks that give the trek its name, the “teeth” of dark rock, appear from nearly every pass and make the skyline unmistakable.
  2. Cerro Bandera: A steep climb from Puerto Williams leads to a summit with wide views across the Beagle Channel toward Argentina and the Cordón Darwin, and it works as a half-day warm-up.
  3. Laguna del Salto: A dark lake backed by cliffs and waterfalls, a favorite campsite and a good place to watch the weather shift across the rock walls.
  4. Paso Virginia: A high, rocky saddle on the circuit with loose scree and wind. It gives long views over the southern lakes and the Cape Horn archipelago on clear days.
  5. Laguna Escondida: A remote lake on the southern side of the loop, where lenga forest gives way to open tundra and you may see Andean
… read more 👉
  1. Dientes de Navarino Circuit Spires: The jagged peaks that give the trek its name, the “teeth” of dark rock, appear from nearly every pass and make the skyline unmistakable.
  2. Cerro Bandera: A steep climb from Puerto Williams leads to a summit with wide views across the Beagle Channel toward Argentina and the Cordón Darwin, and it works as a half-day warm-up.
  3. Laguna del Salto: A dark lake backed by cliffs and waterfalls, a favorite campsite and a good place to watch the weather shift across the rock walls.
  4. Paso Virginia: A high, rocky saddle on the circuit with loose scree and wind. It gives long views over the southern lakes and the Cape Horn archipelago on clear days.
  5. Laguna Escondida: A remote lake on the southern side of the loop, where lenga forest gives way to open tundra and you may see Andean condors circling overhead.
Together these take the full four to five days of the circuit, though Cerro Bandera alone fits in a morning.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Summer (December to February): Dientes de Navarino is at its most hikable from December through February, with highs of 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F), lows of 2 to 5°C (36 to 41°F) and nearly 17 hours of daylight. Snow patches can linger on passes into December. This is peak season, so expect Puerto Williams hostels to fill and the circuit to see 10 to 20 hikers a day at most.
  • Autumn (March to April): Lenga forests turn red and orange, nights drop toward freezing, and daylight shortens to roughly 10 to 12 hours. Crowds thin out, and wind and rain are frequent.
  • Winter (May to September): Highs of 0 to 5°C (32 to 41°F), deep snow and about 7 hours of daylight make the circuit a mountaineering undertaking. Few attempt it, and services in town shrink.
  • Spring (October to November): Snow still blocks the
… read more 👉
  • Summer (December to February): Dientes de Navarino is at its most hikable from December through February, with highs of 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F), lows of 2 to 5°C (36 to 41°F) and nearly 17 hours of daylight. Snow patches can linger on passes into December. This is peak season, so expect Puerto Williams hostels to fill and the circuit to see 10 to 20 hikers a day at most.
  • Autumn (March to April): Lenga forests turn red and orange, nights drop toward freezing, and daylight shortens to roughly 10 to 12 hours. Crowds thin out, and wind and rain are frequent.
  • Winter (May to September): Highs of 0 to 5°C (32 to 41°F), deep snow and about 7 hours of daylight make the circuit a mountaineering undertaking. Few attempt it, and services in town shrink.
  • Spring (October to November): Snow still blocks the high passes, rivers run full and mud is common. Daylight grows fast, and prices stay lower.
Book flights or the ferry to Puerto Williams several weeks ahead for January and February, and keep two spare days for weather.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: below average for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
chile-hike-dientes-de-navarino
© Google |

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutChile Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Chile
The digital guide (333 pages) contains:
✅ 107 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Chile

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

🥾 Hike detailsHike details: route, duration, and difficulty of Dientes de Navarino

Dientes de Navarino: This is a rugged, loosely marked circuit on Isla Navarino, best for self-sufficient hikers.
Total Distance: About 53 kilometers as a loop.
Estimated Duration: Four to five days, with a spare day sensible for storms.
Difficulty: Hard. Steep scree, boggy ground, route-finding in cloud and fast weather changes.
Starting Point: The trailhead is on the outskirts of Puerto Williams, a walk from town. Reach the town by ferry or flight from Punta Arenas. Register with the local police before departing.
Major Landmarks:
  • Cerro Bandera: The first climb, with Beagle Channel views.
  • Laguna del
… read more 👉
Dientes de Navarino: This is a rugged, loosely marked circuit on Isla Navarino, best for self-sufficient hikers.
Total Distance: About 53 kilometers as a loop.
Estimated Duration: Four to five days, with a spare day sensible for storms.
Difficulty: Hard. Steep scree, boggy ground, route-finding in cloud and fast weather changes.
Starting Point: The trailhead is on the outskirts of Puerto Williams, a walk from town. Reach the town by ferry or flight from Punta Arenas. Register with the local police before departing.
Major Landmarks:
  • Cerro Bandera: The first climb, with Beagle Channel views.
  • Laguna del Salto: A lake camp beneath sharp peaks.
  • Paso Virginia: The steep, exposed high pass.
  • Laguna Escondida: A quiet southern lake.
Terrain and Scenery: Rocky ridges, scree slopes, peat bogs and lake basins with views toward the channel and the southern archipelago. Cairns and orange markers guide you but fade in poor visibility.
Vegetation: Lenga and ñire forest low down, then moss, cushion plants and open tundra above.
Wildlife: Andean condors, Magellanic woodpeckers, guanacos, beavers (introduced) and their dams, and sometimes foxes.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

The main hazard on Dientes de Navarino is weather, not wildlife. Wind, sleet and fog can arrive within an hour, even in midsummer, and the exposed ridgelines have no shelter. Carry a full waterproof shell, warm layers and a tent that handles gale-force gusts. The circuit is roughly 53 km (33 miles) and is only lightly marked with cairns and orange poles, so fog makes navigation a real skill. Download offline maps, carry a compass and turn back if you lose the poles. Scree on the passes is loose and slippery when wet, so trekking poles help. Streams swell after rain, and you should cross them early in the day. There is no water issue, but little reliable phone signal exists, so register your itinerary with the Puerto Williams authorities and carry a satellite messenger. Beavers are common but … read more 👉
The main hazard on Dientes de Navarino is weather, not wildlife. Wind, sleet and fog can arrive within an hour, even in midsummer, and the exposed ridgelines have no shelter. Carry a full waterproof shell, warm layers and a tent that handles gale-force gusts. The circuit is roughly 53 km (33 miles) and is only lightly marked with cairns and orange poles, so fog makes navigation a real skill. Download offline maps, carry a compass and turn back if you lose the poles. Scree on the passes is loose and slippery when wet, so trekking poles help. Streams swell after rain, and you should cross them early in the day. There is no water issue, but little reliable phone signal exists, so register your itinerary with the Puerto Williams authorities and carry a satellite messenger. Beavers are common but harmless. Treat that stagnant water with filtration. Pack food for extra days.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Most hikers complete the Dientes de Navarino circuit in 4 to 5 days, covering about 53 km (33 miles) starting and finishing at Puerto Williams. Fast, fit walkers sometimes do it in 3 days, while a spare day for weather is wise. The route climbs over several passes, including Paso Virginia and Paso Ventarrón, and camping is at spots such as Laguna Escondida and Laguna del Salto.
Dientes de Navarino is a demanding trek, rated moderate to hard, due to rough terrain, steep scree climbs and unpredictable weather rather than technical climbing. Expect around 1,000 m (3,300 ft) of ascent on some days and no facilities along the way. Previous multi-day backpacking experience and solid navigation skills are important, since markers are sparse. Strong wind on exposed ridges is the biggest challenge.
No guide is required for Dientes de Navarino and no fee is charged to walk the circuit, though you should register your route with the Carabineros or the Armada office in Puerto Williams before heading out. The trailhead is a short walk from town, so no transfer is needed. Guides are available locally if you prefer, typically costing US$150 to 250 per day. Foreign visitors should bring their passport for the registration.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Chilean hikes near Dientes de Navarino

Explore more nearby:

  • Torres del Paine Circuit—Full circuit, John Gardner Pass, booked campsites, backside solitude| 569 km away
  • W Trek—Three valleys, refugio stages, Francés amphitheater, Grey ice face| 569 km away
  • Cerro Castillo—Lenga forest traverse, turquoise lagoon, serrated volcanic ridge, Paso Peñón| 1049 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Chile including Dientes de Navarino and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all hikes

Or checkout all Chile has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Country photo of Chile

We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Dientes de Navarino suits confident hikers who like route-finding and solitude more than comfort or signs. If you are new to remote trekking, I would walk Cerro Bandera first and judge your pace before committing to the loop. I would bring a map, a GPS track and an extra day of food.

✈️ When did I visit Chile?
I have visited Chile, together with Argentina, in September 2012.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Chile, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.