Exploring the Strait of Magellan Park: Your Complete Guide
Just 37 miles (60 km) south of Punta Arenas, on the historic Santa Ana Peninsula, lies a stage where time seems to have stood still. The Strait of Magellan Park is a destination that every traveler should explore at their own pace to truly grasp the magnitude of the Patagonian wilderness.
At GreatChile, we know that freedom is an essential part of the adventure. That is why, although this park is currently best enjoyed independently, we want to provide you with all the information you need to make your visit unforgettable. Here are the three pillars that make this place a one-of-a-kind site in the world.
Traces of the Past: Historical Sites
Walking through the Strait Park is like stepping back centuries into the history of navigation and southern colonization. This category features the landmarks that defined the human presence at the edge of the continent.
We invite you to discover Fort Bulnes (Fuerte Bulnes), a historical reconstruction where you can enter the wooden cabins and feel the isolation experienced by the settlers in 1843. Don’t forget to visit the Chile’s Geographical Center Landmark, a place full of symbolism marking the geographical center of our territory, including Antarctica. It is a mandatory stop to understand the bravery of those who inhabited these shores.
Puerto del Hambre (Rey Don Felipe Town)
An Encounter with Mystery and History in the Strait Imagine a place where time seems to have stood still between the whisper of the Patagonian wind and the crashing waves of the strait. Just a few steps from Fort Bulnes, we invite you to discover the ruins of Puerto del Hambre (Port Famine), also known historically as Ciudad Rey Don Felipe (King Philip City).
Culture and Comfort: Visitor Center
The park experience is complemented by a modern infrastructure designed to educate and welcome the traveler. The Visitor Center is the ideal meeting point to deepen your knowledge before or after your hike.
Here you will find the Strait Museum, a world-class multimedia exhibition that fascinatingly narrates the geological formation, the life of indigenous peoples, and European expeditions. After your tour, you can enjoy the café with spectacular views—the perfect place to process everything you’ve experienced before heading back to Punta Arenas.
Windows to the Strait: Trails and Overlooks
If you are looking to connect with the raw power of Magallanic nature, the park’s trails offer breathtaking perspectives. Here, the wind and the sea are the protagonists.
You can walk the Coastal Trail, where the sound of waves crashing against the rocks accompanies you on a journey with panoramic views across the Strait of Magellan. For a more intimate experience with local flora, the Woodpecker Forest Trail immerses you in the density of the native forest, where—with a bit of silence—you can hear the rhythmic tapping of the birds that give the trail its name. Every overlook in the park is an opportunity to photograph the vastness.
GreatChile’s Recommendation for Your Visit
Since this park is self-guided, we suggest checking the opening hours and considering the region’s ever-changing weather. At GreatChile, while we do not directly operate this tour, we are experts in all the logistics of the Magallanes Region. If you need assistance with transfers to other points in the region or accommodation in Punta Arenas, we are here to advise you.
Need help planning the rest of your Patagonian journey? Contact us and let’s design your next step together!