Fjällräven Experience

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION

The check-in to Fjällräven Classic Chile is located in central Puerto Natales. Puerto Natales is a touristic city in the heart of the Southern Patagonia of Chile and a gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. The town has several nice hotels and restaurants and here you can gear up for the trek if needed. This is also where the transfer buses to start will leave from.

How to get to Puerto Natales

To give you enough time for the check-in process in Puerto Natales you need to arrive one day before you plan to start your trek.

You can travel to Puerto Natales by car or plane. You can either fly in directly to the airport in Puerto Natales or fly to Punta Arenas. From Punta Arenas there are regular bus transfers to Puerto Natales. The bus trip takes around three hours and costs around 12USD (see www.bussur.com and www.busesfernandez.com).

There is also an alternative to fly to El Calafate in Argentina and transfer from there. Transfer buses operate daily from Tuesday to Sunday.

If you arrive by car, you’ll need to leave your car somewhere in Puerto Natales and use the transfer buses to get to the start of the route. There is no designated parking for Fjällräven Classic Chile in Puerto Natales, at the start or at the finish area.

Transfer to the start point and from Trekker’s Inn

There will be buses leaving from El Galpón, where the check-in is located to the start point in Dos Lagunas. The bus schedule has been adjusted to the start times and the buses leave 1 hour prior to the start time you have booked. Alternatively, you can take the bus in the afternoon if you prefer to camp the night before your trek. The bus trip takes around 25 minutes and is included in the ticket fee.

Bus time schedules

Puerto Natales to Dos Lagunas.
Sunday, December 1st: 18:00
Monday, December 2nd: 07:00, 08:00, 09:00,18:00 & 19:30
Tuesday, December 3rd: 07:00, 08:00 & 09:00

From Trekker’s Inn in Serrano, there will be buses leaving for central Puerto Natales and Puerto Natales airport on the day of the finish and the day after, for those who want to finish the trek with a camping night at Trekker’s Inn. The bus trip takes around two hours and is included in the ticket fee.

Trekker's Inn, Serrano to Puerto Natales.
Thursday, December 5th: 19:00
Friday, December 6th: 08:00, 12:30 & 19:00
Saturday, December 7th: 08:00 & 12:30

If your flight leaves Puerto Natales airport before 12am, we recommend you spend the last night in Puerto Natales to be sure to make it on time.

Accommodation

In Puerto Natales there are several hotels and hostels in different price categories. In Serrano, where the finish and Trekker’s Inn are located, there are several small hotels, around 1km from Trekker’s Inn. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance, as December is high season in the Torres del Paine area.

If you wish to camp before and after the trek, we have made that possible. There is an open area at the start point in Dos Lagunas where you can camp from December 1st. At the finish, there is a very nice area to pitch your tent, which is open until December 7th. All camps are included in the ticket fee. Please reserve your camping for the extra nights when you register.

Travel advice in the surroundings of Puerto Natales

We highly recommend taking a few extra days either before or after your Fjällräven Classic Chile trek to explore the incredible surroundings of Puerto Natales.

Situated in the heart of Southern Patagonia, Chile, alongside the Senoret Channel, the town of Puerto Natales boasts a rich history. Founded by Scottish and German immigrants in the late 19th century as a hub for exporting lamb and wool to Europe, it has since transformed into a captivating tourist center. Puerto Natales serves as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, and the stunning fjords.

There are many ways to discover the area's beauty. Enjoy a day cruise to explore the fjords and glaciers, embark on a horseback ride to take in the landscape, paddle down rivers, or venture into the bay below Glacier Grey among icebergs. Alternatively, try fly fishing in the Serrano River with the picturesque backdrop of Torres del Paine.

Torres del Paine National Park

If you're inclined to extend your trek and explore further, the entrance to Torres del Paine National Park is only a few kilometers from Trekker’s Inn in Serrano. Consider doing the classic W-trek or the O-circuit in the park. For more information and booking, visit the Torres del Paine website, and be sure to reserve your spot well in advance due to limited space at the National Park campsites.

Cerro Guido

During the Fjällräven Classic Chile trek, we will walk on the land of Estancia Cerro Guido, the largest farm in the area, with its 100,000 hectares. The farm works with sustainable livestock management, respecting natural grasslands and avoiding overlogging to prevent erosion. A key objective is achieving coexistence between livestock and wildlife as historically there has been a conflict between wildlife and cattle raising in the area. On one hand, people who have been dedicated to sheep farming, the most important productive activity in the area for more than a century, have seen the puma and other species that prey on livestock as an enemy, suffering the constant loss of livestock. On the other hand, wildlife, especially the puma, have been relentlessly hunted.

Cerro Guido wants to show that you can live in harmony by making changes, with a respectful look on both sides.

At Estancia Cerro Guido, you'll find a hotel and organised excursions. These excursions range from delving into the heart of the Estancia's history, traditions, and efforts towards coexistence between livestock and wildlife conservation, to activities like trekking, horseback riding, and fly fishing.

ASSEMBLY POINT & CHECK-IN

Check-in to Fjällräven Classic Chile will be located at El Galpón, by the sea in Puerto Natales. This is where you check-in and receive your map, Trekking Passport and waste bag; where you pick up your food and gas for the trek, and where you leave your extra luggage for transportation to the finish in Serrano or for storage in Puerto Natales. You can also buy outdoor gear at the small pop-up shop from Volkanica.

Opening hours for check-in:

Sunday, December 1st: 14:00-20:00
Monday, December 2nd: 06:00-08:30 & 14:00-20:00
Tuesday, December 3rd: 06:00-08:30

AT THE START

We provide bus transportation from central Puerto Natales to the start point in Dos Lagunas. The buses take around 25 minutes.

At the start, you can weigh your backpack and you will receive the first stamp in your Trekking Passport and your orange safety sheet to attach to your backpack.

Toilets as well as water and a recycling station are available before start.

You can start at 08:00, 09:00 or 10:00 on Monday and Tuesday. Please reserve your start time when you register.

DURING THE TREK

Practical information

There is one checkpoint per day, situated at around the halfway point of each day. The checkpoints are staffed until all participants have passed. You need to get your Trekking Passport stamped at each one and fill in the guest book with your checkpoint arrival time. In case of an emergency and the officials have to leave the tent, the stamp will be placed outside the tent for you to stamp your Trekking Passport yourself.

Along the route there are set night camps for each night. The areas are large and you can choose where to pitch your tent within the camping area. At all night camps, there will be toilets and water available (from creeks or tanks).

The trekking route in Chile offers access to water sources like creeks or lakes every day. However, in certain sections of the trail, it's necessary to carry water, so it's mandatory to bring a 1-liter bottle. However, there are plenty of lunch spots every day where water is available.

While locals often drink water directly from creeks and lakes without filtering, it's advisable to use a water filter as a precaution due to the presence of livestock in the area.

We provide you with a trash bag to collect your non-human waste during the trek. It’s vital that you use it. You’re not allowed, under any circumstances, to drop any trash, not even biodegradable trash. If you do, you will be disqualified, as we want to keep the area pristine and free from trash. This is extra important as we walk on private land normally only accessible by the Gauchos working in the area. You can leave the trash from your trash bag at the finish, and we’ll take care of the contents.

Human waste is another matter, though. You will receive a small plastic bag (for your toilet paper) should the need arise on the trail. If nature calls when you’re far from a toilet: dig a small hole, relieve yourself, and if possible, mix everything with dry leaves and soil. Cover the hole with earth and bring the used toilet paper with you in the plastic bag. We recommend you go to the toilets at the campsites before you leave each morning! Importantly, never relieve yourself in or close to a watercourse.

Trekking advice for Patagonia

Southern Patagonia is known for its unpredictable mountain weather and strong winds. But generally late spring in Torres del Paine has little rainfall and sunny days with an average temperature of 13°C. When preparing for the trek, it is important that you pack for all possible weather conditions. You should be prepared for everything from extremely strong winds, rain and snow to clear blue skies with no wind. So that, no matter if we get to experience the real Patagonian mountain weather or not, you will have a great experience in this unique environment. At the beginning of December, the days are long with daylight between 5:30am and 9:50pm.

During the four days of trekking, you will experience all the different types of nature which this part of Patagonia has to offer, and each day will have its own character. Depending on the character of the trek, we have named the trekking days differently:

Day 1 – The Forest day
Day 2 – The Mountain day
Day 3 – The Lake day
Day 4 – The Torres del Paine day

The trek is 73km with almost +2 700 meters vertical gain and the whole route is at an altitude of between 0 and 1,000 meters above sea level. The trekking is mostly on single tracks or untracked nature, so we do recommend sturdy trekking boots and trekking poles. We also recommend training climbing and going downhill with a backpack having the same weight as you are planning to carry during the trek as the trek offers some good ascents and descents.

In this part of Patagonia, there is a tasty berry called Calafate growing along the route of the whole trek. They have strong spines, so if you are using an inflatable mattress to sleep on, we recommend that you check where you pitch your tent and use a closed-cell foam pad underneath your inflatable mattress to protect it.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Fjällräven Classic is about enabling you to get out and enjoy nature. We aim to take care of the basics. Your ticket fee includes the following:

An exclusive 73 km route, well-marked, only used for Fjällräven Classic Chile.
All hiking and camping permits for the area.
Camping the night prior to the first day of the trek in Dos Lagunas and the night after the finish in Serrano.
Transfer buses to the start point and from the finish.
Transportation of one bag up to 60 litres/20kgs from the check-in in Puerto Natales to the finish in Serrano. The bag can also be stored in Puerto Natales during the trek.
A route map and a GPX-track of the route.
A Trekking Passport to be stamped by Fjällräven officials at all the checkpoints, as well as at the start and finish.
Gas for use with stoves with a standard screw thread.
Freeze-dried food including three breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners, as well as treats at the checkpoints.
Fjällräven Classic Trash Bag for collecting your own trash. Please don’t litter!
An orange safety sheet to attach to your backpack.
A Fjällräven Classic Chile medal and patch when you arrive at the finish.
Finishers party at Trekker’s Inn.

RULES

We want to make sure that Fjällräven Classic Chile is enjoyable for everyone and that the landscape looks as good after the event as it did before. So, there are a few rules you must follow.

A breach of the rules below will result in an immediate disqualification from Fjällräven Classic Chile and you’ll be prohibited from participating in any future Fjällräven events.

Furthermore, a breach of the fire and littering rules will be reported to the police, as it’s a breach of environmental laws.

Fire

In the area, there have been several big woodfires devastating huge areas of forests during the last 50 years. You will see traces of this during the second day of the trek.

It is absolutely prohibited to make fires or use any other type of fuel than gas before, during and after the trek. You must also be very careful when using your gas stove.

Littering

It is absolutely prohibited to litter or leave trash along the trail, at the checkpoints and at any of the campsites. We want to leave the landscape in the same good shape as it was before we arrived. Make use of your trash bag, which we provide at check-in. You can dispose of this at the finish.

Wire fences and gates

During the trek, the route will pass many fences where we have built stairs to make them easier to pass through. You are only allowed to cross the fences via these stairs, and you need to be careful when passing. Use the handrails and only pass one person at a time.

Some of the fences have gates that you will pass through. If a gate is open when you arrive, leave it open. If a gate is closed, close it after you. The route passes through farmland, and you will walk through areas with livestock.

Dogs

Dogs will not be allowed on the trek as we will be on private land where livestock is present. It's important to maintain the safety and well-being of both our participants and the animals.

Camping

You must sleep in a tent during Fjällräven Classic Chile. As we are on private land, you are only allowed to camp on the designated campgrounds, and you may only camp one night per campground. When leaving the campsite in the morning, make sure you leave it in the same way you found it and you must bring back all litter with you to the finish line.

Stamps

You must get your Trekking Passport stamped at every checkpoint, including at the start and finish. If you miss a stamp, you may not be able to receive your medal.

AT THE FINISH LINE

Once you’ve made it, tired but satisfied and happy, over the finish line, you’ll need to get your last stamp in your Trekking Passport. It’s here you’ll also receive your Fjällräven Classic Chile medal. After you finish you can buy something nice to eat and you can weigh your trash, take a shower and collect your luggage.

The shower and luggage pick-up point is a few hundred meters from the finish line.

Don’t miss a visit to the Trekker’s Inn! This is the place to hang out after the trek to share stories over cold drinks and hot food before some evening entertainment.

If you are camping on the last night, you can pitch your tent in the open area or in the beautiful Patagonian forest next to the finish line. If you are heading for the bus to Puerto Natales this is a a few hundred meters walk from Trekker’s Inn.

CONTACT

If you have questions, queries or problems concerning payment then please contact us at: classic.chile@fjallraven.com

Informação em Português

Aqui está o link para um PDF com todas as informações acima em português.