Where is San Isidro Lighthouse?

Where is San Isidro Lighthouse?

Chile, south-america

Length

23.6 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: Southern Patagonia, Chile. You're heading to the very tip of South America, to the San Isidro Lighthouse – the continent's southernmost beacon, shining since 1904!

This beauty sits at the end of the Brunswick Peninsula, right on the Strait of Magellan. Built by George Slight back in the day, the area is pure Patagonia magic: mountain ranges, crazy diverse wildlife, subantarctic forests of coigüe and cinnamon trees, peatlands, glacier valleys...you name it!

The road to get there? It’s Ruta 9, starting from Ciudad del Rey Don Felipe (aka Puerto del Hambre – "Port of Hunger" – a spot with a *dark* history). The road itself is a well-maintained, unpaved road that stretches for 23.6 km (14.66 miles). But here's the catch: the last 7 km (4.34 miles) are foot traffic *only*.

You'll park at the "Fin de Camino" sign and hike the rest of the way on a trail that dates back to the early 1900s, hugging the coast and offering unreal views of the Strait of Magellan.

Word to the wise: the lighthouse itself is pretty, but bare-bones. No water, no restrooms, and you can't even go inside! So, pack accordingly, and get ready for an adventure!

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Road Details

Country
Chile
Continent
south-america
Length
23.6 km
Difficulty
easy

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