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Cycling Patagonia: Wildlife, Rewilding & End of the World
29 May
Summary
- Cycling offers a unique immersion into Patagonia's rewilded landscapes.
- Conservation efforts transformed former sheep farms into protected areas.
- Venturing off-path reveals abundant wildlife and authentic ranching life.
Cycling through Patagonia reveals a wild, rewilded frontier, offering an intimate experience distinct from typical tourist routes.
This journey through the southern tip of the Americas, largely on unpaved roads, highlights the transformation of land once dominated by sheep farms. Environmental groups began purchasing and restoring degraded pastures in the late 20th century, leading to the creation of some of Earth's largest protected areas.
Beyond iconic sites like Torres del Paine, which now grapples with over-tourism since its visitor numbers surged from 8,000 in 1986 to over 305,000 in 2024, cyclists discover less-explored trails. These paths lead to encounters with abundant wildlife such as guanacos and penguins, and provide opportunities to meet multigenerational ranching families.
The adventure culminates in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, after traversing Tierra del Fuego. Here, remote cabins at abandoned sites like Hosteria Petrel offer a reflective end to a journey that emphasizes embracing uncertainty and leaving places better than found.
