Cabo Froward: the last cape of the Americas

Some places feel like an ending. Cabo Froward is one of them. This is where the American landmass comes to a close: farther south there's no solid ground left to walk on, only the maze of islands and channels that frays away toward Antarctica. You're on the Brunswick Peninsula, right in the middle stretch of the Strait of Magellan, about 90 kilometres southwest of Punta Arenas and 30 from Fuerte Bulnes.

The name says it all. In 1587, the English privateer Thomas Cavendish named it Froward: wild, hostile, uncontrollable. He wasn't exaggerating. Here the wind off the strait blows without pause and the rain arrives sideways. That's the real condition of the place, and it's worth keeping in mind when planning your visit.

At the summit stands the Cruz de los Mares, a large metal structure marking the last point of the Americas. The first one was installed in 1913, and the weather has knocked it down and seen it rebuilt several times since. The version you'll see today commemorates Pope John Paul II's visit to Chile in 1987. Seeing it outlined against the grey sky of the strait is one of those images that stays with you.
What makes this place unique
Cabo Froward concentrates the southern spirit into a single geographic point: the end of the continent. Its biodiversity and its landscape have made it the setting for highly demanding expeditions. In 2009, the Patagonian Expedition Race closed a 600-kilometre route right here, at the Cruz de los Mares. That gives you an idea of the kind of terrain and the character of the place.
Seeing it from the water
One of the most memorable ways to experience Cabo Froward is from the sea. The whale-watching sailings heading to the Francisco Coloane marine park usually pass in front of the cape along their route. From the deck, the last cape of the Americas appears as a landmark on the horizon: the cross, the wind-battered cliffs and the immensity of the strait. It's a moment many travellers remember as one of the high points of the voyage.
Who it's for
If you're an adventurer who enjoys multi-day trekking, Froward is a destination that calls for preparation, gear for harsh weather and experience. If you're a contemplative traveller or a landscape photographer, seeing it from a sailing gives you the image without the demands of the hike. In both cases, the season between October and April offers more daylight hours and better access conditions.
How it fits into your trip
Cabo Froward lies far from the usual Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine axis, but it combines very well with a stay in Punta Arenas before or after the park. Along the way you'll find other landmarks of the southern route, such as the Hito Mitad de Chile and the nearby Magellanic forest trails. If you want to add it to your Patagonia itinerary, check with your travel consultant how to fit it in according to your dates.