Cape Froward: the southernmost cape of the Americas

Some places feel like an ending. Cape Froward is one of them. This is where the continental landmass of the Americas ends: farther south there is no solid ground left to walk on, only the maze of islands and channels that frays toward Antarctica. You are on the Brunswick Peninsula, right in the middle stretch of the Strait of Magellan, about 90 kilometers southwest of Punta Arenas and 30 from Fuerte Bulnes.

The name says it all. In 1587, the English corsair Thomas Cavendish named it Froward: fierce, hostile, untamable. He wasn't exaggerating. Here the wind off the strait blows without respite and the rain comes in 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 Cross of the Seas, 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 rebuilt it several times since then. The version you'll see today commemorates Pope John Paul II's visit to Chile in 1987. Seeing it outlined against the gray sky of the strait is one of those images that stays with you.

What makes this place unique

Cape Froward concentrates the austral spirit in 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 finished here, at the Cross of the Seas, after a 600-kilometer route. 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 discover Cape Froward is from the sea. The whale-watching navigations bound for 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 vastness of the strait. It's a moment many travelers recall as one of the high points of the journey.

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 traveler or landscape photographer, seeing it from a navigation gives you the image without the demands of the hike. In both cases, the season between October and April offers more hours of daylight and better access conditions.

How it fits into your trip

Cape Froward lies far from the usual axis of Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine, but it combines very well with a stay in Punta Arenas before or after the park. Along the way you'll find other milestones of the austral route, such as the Middle of Chile Marker and the nearby Magellanic forest trails. If you'd like to add it to your Patagonia itinerary, ask the agent how to fit it in according to your dates.