Pali Aike National Park

In native language means station of the wind and it is wildlife protected area since 1970. It has a surface over 5.000 hectares and it is located 190 kilometers to the northeast of the city of Punta Arenas. During the excursion the dominating landscape is the vast and windswept patagonian steppe in one side and the mithycal Strait of Magellan on the other, where is possible to observe the patagonian farms and places of oil exploration and drilling, two of the most important activities in the region. The area is populated by different species of birds such as lesser rhea, crested caracara, flamingos and geese and some mammals like guanacos and foxes. Inside the park there are several extinct volcanos, large lava fields outstandind the area, and a big cave where were found human remains and remains of the extinct wildlife of the new world like milodon and american horse. Into the park is possible to do two different walks: one of them bordering the “Escorial del Diablo”, lava agglomerations over the landscape, and an approach toward the border of the crate of Pali Aike volcano, where is possible to observe the crater and its base. the return is done by the same road.
Length: 9 Hours.
Level of Activity: Medium.
Physical demand: 1 km (3/4 of a mile) walk on an irregular area usually windy. 3 km (2 miles) walk ove very irregular lava fields.