Explore Antarctica & South America: Day 16 Ushuaia Emerald Lake Hiking Adventure
After returning from the icy wonders of Antarctica, I had a day to explore the charming city of Ushuaia. As avid hikers, my friend Wen and I were eager to hit the trails and soak in the natural beauty.
Ushuaia is a hiker’s paradise, boasting numerous trails that are generally manageable and can be completed in a single day. Among the most popular are the coastal hiking trail of Tierra del Fuego and the enchanting Emerald Lake. Since we had already visited Tierra del Fuego and would need to purchase tickets again, we opted for the stunning Emerald Lake.
[Melon Eating R][Melon Eating R][Melon Eating R] Guide:
1. Transportation [Medium-Dark Skin Tone]: There are two convenient ways to reach Laguna Esmeralda. You can take an Uber, which will cost around 17 USD. For the return trip, you can either use Uber or catch one of the black cars waiting at the entrance, also for 17 USD.
Alternatively, you can take the local bus from the Ushuaia bus station, with a round trip costing just 9 USD. Be sure to check the fixed schedules to avoid missing your ride. If you’re traveling in a group of three or more, a taxi is the more comfortable option. The journey takes about 15-25 minutes each way, with a brief stretch where there’s no cell signal, but the entire hiking route is well-connected.
2. Trail [Medium Skin Tone]: The round trip to the lakeside is approximately 9 km. Even with a 70-year-old aunt, we managed to complete it in just 3 hours. Once you reach the lake, there’s an option to climb the mountain, but without professional gear, we decided to skip it. Locals say it’s quite challenging, so I won’t make any recommendations.
The path might seem a bit confusing at the start, but after a few steps, it becomes very clear. With many other hikers along the way, getting lost is unlikely. P11 shows the detailed route map, which has been uploaded to a certain app. Just search for “Ushuaia Emerald Lake”.
3. Difficulty [Light-Medium Skin Tone]: The trail is mostly flat, winding through a lush forest, with a gentle slope of about 2.5 km, rising only 100 meters. It’s surprisingly easy, though some foreigners found it a bit strenuous [Face Covering R][Face Covering R][Face Covering R]. The final 1 km is a rocky beach, where you’ll need to navigate among the rocks, but it’s not too difficult.
Don’t worry about dirtying your shoes. In a spontaneous decision, I even completed the entire route in sandals [Crying Laughing R][Crying Laughing R][Crying Laughing R], and I can’t count how many times I twisted my ankle… I definitely don’t recommend this, but it does show how accessible the trail is.
4. Weather [Light Skin Tone]: We went in mid-to-late November, and the weather was as unpredictable as it was exhilarating. Strong winds, rain, sleet, and sunshine alternated throughout the day. The wind by the lake was so fierce that we could barely stand. I wore quick-dry and insulated layers, a softshell jacket, and quick-dry pants, and I was comfortably warm, even breaking a slight sweat.
A word of caution ⚠️: if it rained the day before, the trail can be very muddy and slippery, so always check the weather forecast.
Finally, we indulged in a sumptuous 200 RMB king crab, savoring every succulent bite. It was an absolute delight! 🥂🦀🍵
